Free LGD Community Revived: Survey Results & What’s Coming for Premium Clients

A few weeks ago, I did something I probably should have done years ago: I asked you what you actually need.

I sent a survey to our entire email list—over 1,200 people interested in livestock guardian dogs, whether they’re researching their first Maremma, already have a working LGD, or are knee-deep in the challenges of raising these incredible (and occasionally frustrating) dogs.

The responses were eye-opening. And they’ve completely validated what I started building a year ago—plus shown me exactly what my premium puppy clients deserve.

But first, let’s announce our giveaway winner and talk about what you told me you need most.

The Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Jennifer K in Missouri! You’ve won a free one-hour LGD training consultation (valued at $100) and access to The Dial Method® course (valued at $50). I’ll be reaching out directly to schedule your consultation and get you set up in the course.

For everyone who participated: thank you. Your responses didn’t just help one person win—they helped me understand what this community actually needs to thrive with their livestock guardian dogs.

What You Told Me You Need

I received responses from people across the spectrum—from those still researching whether an LGD is right for them to experienced owners managing multiple working dogs. Here’s what stood out:

Community Is King

The number one thing you asked for? A place to connect with other LGD owners.

Not just any Facebook group where questions get lost in the feed or where you’re not sure if advice comes from someone with two months or two decades of experience. You want a dedicated space where you can ask questions, share successes, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from others who understand the unique world of livestock guardian dogs.

You want to know you’re not alone when your Maremma decides the livestock water trough makes an excellent swimming pool in July. (Hot take – It does.) You want to celebrate when your dog successfully protects the flock from a predator. You want real-time support when you’re facing a training challenge at 10 PM and can’t wait for business hours.

Organized, Accessible Education

You’re tired of piecing together information from random blog posts, contradictory YouTube videos, and that one Facebook comment from three years ago that you can’t find anymore.

You want organized, comprehensive resources that walk you through the entire journey—from choosing the right breed and breeder, through puppyhood socialization, adolescent challenges, and adult working dog management.

You want to know where to find the answer when you need it, not spend three hours searching through my 200+ blog posts trying to remember which one covered livestock introduction timing.

Breeder Support That Doesn’t Disappear

This one validated everything I already do—but showed me I need to do it better and make it more accessible.

My puppy families already get lifetime breeder support. They can text me photos at midnight when their puppy does something concerning. They can call with training questions six months or six years after bringing their dog home. 

But what about everyone else? What about the people who adopted an LGD from a rescue? Who bought from a breeder who disappeared after the sale? Who inherited a livestock guardian dog with their new farm?

You told me you need this support too. And you should have it.

Real Training Guidance

You’re done with the myths. Done with “just let them figure it out” advice. Done with watching your dog develop behavioral problems because you followed outdated guidance about livestock guardian dogs not needing training.

You want science-based, practical training approaches that work with your dog’s genetics instead of against them. You want to understand why your LGD behaves the way they do, not just get a band-aid solution for the current problem.

And you want this from someone who’s actually bred, raised, placed, and supported over 150 livestock guardian dogs—not someone who read a book about LGDs or recently got one and decided to start a YouTube channel.

What I Learned (And Why I’m Not Building a Paid Public Membership)

Here’s what surprised me: while you want comprehensive resources and ongoing support, a paid public membership isn’t what serves this community best.

I could create a $27/month membership with courses, community forums, and exclusive resources. Some of you said you’d pay for that. But here’s the math that matters:

One $3,500 Maremma puppy placement = 130 months of $27 memberships.

That’s nearly eleven years of subscription revenue from a single puppy sale.

My business isn’t built on squeezing monthly fees from dog owners who are already investing heavily in their livestock, fencing, veterinary care, and quality livestock guardian dogs. My business is built on breeding exceptional Maremmas and placing them in prepared, educated homes where they’ll thrive for their entire 10-12+ year lifespan.

Your survey responses validated exactly what I already started building—and showed me how to make it even better.

What I’m Reviving: The Prancing Pony Farm Fellowship (Free)

About a year ago, I created something called the Prancing Pony Farm Fellowship—a free community hub for anyone interested in livestock guardian dogs.

I built it with:

• Netflix-style content catalog organizing all my blog posts by topic
• Video library with training demonstrations and educational content
• Discussion forums for community support

Then life happened. Puppies were born. Clients needed support. The farm demanded attention. And I let the Fellowship go quiet.

About 50 people joined as founding members. They got access to everything I’d built. But I stopped adding new content. I stopped trying to encourage discussions. I stopped promoting it.

Your survey told me exactly what I need to do: Revive it. Refresh it. Re-engage with it.

Here’s what’s happening with the Prancing Pony Farm Fellowship:

Content Refresh

I’m adding all the blog posts I’ve written over the past several months (there are a lot—I’ve been busy writing). I’m organizing them into the catalog so you can actually find what you need when you need it.

New Video Content

All the social media videos I’ve created? They’re going into the Fellowship library, organized by topic, searchable, and always available even when social media algorithms hide them from your feed. 

Active Discussion Forums

I’m committing to actually engaging in the private discussion areas. (No social media required.) Conversation starters. Answers to questions. Real community building, not just a platform sitting there hoping people will talk to each other.

Lead Magnets & Mini-Courses

New downloadable resources and short mini-courses on specific topics—puppy selection, first week home, livestock introduction protocols, common behavioral challenges. Free, valuable, actionable content.

This is completely free. This is open to everyone. This is my way of serving the broader LGD community.

Whether you get your next livestock guardian dog from me or from another ethical breeder (or rescue, or inheritance, or however these incredible dogs find their way into our lives), you deserve access to good information.

What I’m Building New: The Client VIP Hub (Exclusive to Puppy Buyers)

Here’s what your survey also told me: My premium clients deserve a premium experience.

When you invest $3,500 in a Prancing Pony Farm Maremma, you’re not just getting a well-bred, health-tested, properly socialized puppy. You’re getting a relationship with me that lasts the lifetime of your dog.

You deserve more than “also welcome to join the free community.”

You deserve your own exclusive space.

So I’m building The Client VIP Hub—a private, premium membership platform exclusively for Prancing Pony Farm puppy families.

This is not a tier within the Fellowship. This is a completely separate, exclusive space where you get:

Comprehensive Course Library

Deep-dive courses covering every stage from puppy selection through senior dog care. Not blog posts organized into categories—actual structured curriculum with video demonstrations, downloadable protocols, and progressive learning paths.

Private Client Community

Discussion forums exclusively for Prancing Pony Farm families. You’re connecting with other people who got their dogs from the same breeding program, who were taught the same socialization protocols, who share the same foundation training approach.

This is your sanctuary—a place where everyone speaks the same language because we all started from the same place.

Advanced Resources & Downloads

Training protocols, health tracking spreadsheets, predator management guides, behavioral troubleshooting flowcharts. Everything you need, when you need it, in formats you can actually use on the farm at 6 AM when something goes sideways.

Priority Support from Me

Faster response times. More detailed guidance. Direct access when you need it most. This doesn’t replace the text-me-at-midnight support you already get—it enhances it with a platform where I can share resources, demonstrate techniques, and provide ongoing guidance.

Lifetime Access

This never expires. If you need to step away for a year and come back, your access is still there. If you get a second Prancing Pony Farm dog five years from now, you’re already in the community. This is forever.

This is included in your $3,500 puppy investment. Not an upsell. Not a separate fee. Not a “pay monthly to keep access” situation.

When you choose a Prancing Pony Farm Maremma, this Client VIP Hub is part of what you’re investing in.

Can Clients Also Join the Fellowship?

Absolutely! If you want to engage with the broader LGD community, ask questions in a bigger forum, or contribute your expertise to help others, the Fellowship is there.

But you also have your premium space—your VIP hub where the conversations are more intimate, the resources are more comprehensive, and the support is more specialized.

Why This Two-Platform Approach Works Better

For the broader LGD community: You get a completely free, robust resource hub that helps you succeed with your livestock guardian dog regardless of where they came from or what they guard (Livestock, people or the family cat). No gatekeeping. No “pay to access basic information.” Just good content, community support, and real help.

For Prancing Pony Farm clients: You get an exclusive premium experience that matches your premium investment. Your own community of families who share your specific training foundation. Advanced resources. Priority support. A VIP experience that never expires.

For me: I can serve both audiences authentically. The Fellowship builds trust, educates the broader community, and serves as a natural pathway to puppy sales and training consultations. The Client VIP Hub deepens relationships with premium clients and ensures their long-term success.

For the entire LGD community: More well-educated owners means fewer failed placements, fewer dogs in rescue, and more livestock guardian dogs thriving in their working roles. Everyone wins when knowledge is accessible and support is available.

What’s Next

I’m working on both platforms now.

The Prancing Pony Farm Fellowship revival is happening first—fresh content, active engagement, new resources. If you were one of the original 50 founding members, you’re about to see a lot of new activity. If you’re new, you’re joining at the perfect time.

The Client VIP Hub is being built now and will launch within the next few months. Current puppy families will get first access. Future families will receive access as part of their puppy package.

Want to Join the Fellowship?

Sign up here: JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP 

You’ll get immediate access to all existing content, plus you’ll be first to see new resources as I add them.

Want to Be Notified When the Client VIP Hub Launches?

If you’re a current Prancing Pony Farm client, I’ll reach out directly. If you’re on the waitlist for a future puppy, you’ll be notified as part of your reservation process.

If you’re considering reserving a Prancing Pony Farm puppy and want to know when the Client VIP Hub is ready, join the puppy waitlist here: 

A Final Thought

I’ve spent nearly a decade breeding Maremma Sheepdogs and supporting the families who bring them home. I’ve answered thousands of questions, troubleshot hundreds of challenges, and celebrated countless successes.

But I’ve also watched too many livestock guardian dogs fail—not because they weren’t capable, but because their owners didn’t have access to good information and ongoing support.

The Fellowship is how we change that for everyone.

The Client VIP Hub is how we ensure my families have the premium support experience their investment deserves.

Whether you’re researching your first LGD, working through challenges with your current dog, or ready to add a Prancing Pony Farm Maremma to your farm, there’s a place for you in this community.

I can’t wait to see what we build together.