Last Updated on September 3, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, ​ I’ve gotten some version of this question three times in the last couple of weeks, all from families who recently brought a puppy home : “What commands does she already know? Does she…

Last Updated on August 28, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM If you’ve talked to me for more than five minutes about training your dog, there’s a good chance I’ve mentioned this course. It doesn’t matter if you came to me with a Maremma Sheepdog puppy, an older…

Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I had a whole different email scheduled for this week. Then this happened, and I couldn’t not tell you about it. The Backstory: A Van, a Mess, and a $2,200 Decision A little backstory…

Last Updated on August 20, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I had two conversations this week about littermate syndrome. Back to back. One person telling me it’s not real (correct), one person asking me about it like it’s a legitimate…

Last Updated on August 16, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM I get asked about “littermate syndrome” more than almost anything else. I’ve addressed it on my website on my How Many LGDs Do I Need? page and countless blog posts. I’ve addressed it in emails. I’ve…

Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I’m going to be honest with you: the last few weeks have had me a little stressed. I had 20 puppies to place this summer, and sales felt slow. I kept telling myself this was normal —…

Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I think almost every dog owner has experienced this at some point: you get a second dog, or maybe even your first, and somewhere in your head there’s a picture of who that dog is…

Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I want to try something new, and before I put time into it, I want to know if it’s actually something you’d use. Here’s what’s going on. More and more of you are…

Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, Let me ask you something. What happens at your place when it’s feeding time? Does your dog eat calmly and relaxed — or is there tension in the air? Maybe a goat keeps nosing toward the…

Last Updated on August 13, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM ​ ​ Hi Reader, I need to tell you about a phone call I got on Tuesday, but first I have to back up and tell you about the few minutes right before it. Why I Almost Wanted to Quit Breeding Maremma Sheepdogs…