Last Updated on November 30, 2024 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
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Meet the newest member of a very special team. 🤍
Five years ago, Ryan and Rianna got their first two Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas — Delta and Echo. Today those two are working livestock guardian dogs protecting a large meat goat herd in Northern California, doing exactly what they were bred to do.
But predator pressure in their area has been increasing. And when you’re working hard to protect your herd, two dogs guarding two different zones isn’t always enough.
So Ryan made the drive down to pick up their third Prancing Pony Farm Maremma. This five-month-old male is heading home to join Delta and Echo — and specifically to partner up with Delta on goat patrol.
(Echo? She’s got her own beat. The house, the chickens… and most importantly, every time the kids head out to hike, she goes too. When I told Ryan and Rianna that Echo isn’t skipping her job — she’s prioritizing the most important one — they laughed and immediately agreed. 🐾💜)
This is what we build toward. Dogs that know their jobs. Families that trust them completely. And clients who come back — not because they have to, but because they want to.
If you’re dealing with predator pressure or gaps in your livestock guardian coverage, I’d love to talk through your situation. The link in my bio is the best place to start. 🐾 #maremmasheepdog #livestockguardiandog #lgdlife #lgdpuppy #maremma ... See MoreSee Less
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Why I'm Writing This Toppl Review
I recently had a consultation with a livestock guardian dog owner whose dog didn't want to stay with her turkeys. The dog had lived inside for several months, and transitioning to outdoor livestock guardian work was proving difficult.
I suggested she give her dog a frozen Toppl during "bird time"—to create positive associations and give him something enjoyable while adjusting to his new role.
Her response? "What's a Toppl?"
That conversation made me realize: Most people have never heard of Toppls unless they're dog trainers or deeply embedded in the dog community. Yet they're hands-down the most effective enrichment toy I've found in my years of working with dogs.
#DogBehavior #LGDBehavior #LGDEnrichment #LGDmanagement #Maremma ... See MoreSee Less
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The overlooked element of LGD development that determines whether your dog can safely coexist with farm families.
Last week, I received a photo that perfectly illustrated why child socialization isn't optional for livestock guardian dogs—it's essential.
Caia, one of our Maremma puppies from Electra's 2025 litter, now living in Hawaii, met a young child during her daily walk. The photo captured her gentle, calm presence as the little one reached out to pet her. Her body language showed complete comfort and trustworthiness—exactly what you want from a 60-pound livestock guardian dog puppy meeting a child for the first time.
This wasn't luck. This was the result of intentional, repeated exposure to children during her critical socialization period.
#CaliforniaLGDbreeder #CaliforniaMaremmabreeder #ChoosingaBreeder #CompanionMaremma #DogSocialization #EthicalDogBreeding #FarmVisitors #FirsttimeLGDOwners #HealthtestedMaremmaSheepdog #LGDTemperament #LGDwithFamily #LGDsforSmallFarms #LGDswithChildren #Maremma #MaremmaasPet #MaremmaFamilyDog #Puppies #PuppySocializationSeries ... See MoreSee Less
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Why proper vaccination and parasite prevention during weeks 6–8 sets the foundation for a lifetime of health.
At six weeks old, our current Maremma Sheepdog litter reached a critical milestone in their livestock guardian dog health journey—their first Neo-par vaccination and the start of our carefully designed puppy parasite prevention protocol.
This might sound like routine veterinary care, but the timing, products, and environment we use are the result of years of refining what truly works for LGD puppies. After experiencing both successes and heartbreaking losses, I’ve learned that early, prevention-focused care is the foundation of lifelong health and working success.
Because even the best-trained livestock guardian dog can’t do their job if they’re not healthy enough to thrive.
#CaliforniaLGDbreeder #CaliforniaMaremmabreeder #DogSocialization #HealthtestedLGD #LGDmanagement #LGDPuppyDevelopment #LivestockGuardianDogs #RaisingHealthyPuppies ... See MoreSee Less
Building Immunity: The Livestock Guardian Dog Health Protocols That Protect Your Investment
prancingponymaremmas.com
A few years ago I was losing puppies despite “doing everything right.” Today, thanks to our Puppy Parlor system, we’ve eliminated parasite losses and built stronger immune systems from the start...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Six months ago, I got an email that started with: "I know this is crazy, but I live in Hawaii..."
Sarah wasn't wrong—getting a dog to Hawaii is a bit crazy. The quarantine requirements are extensive, the timeline is long, and the process is daunting. But when you fall in love with the right breed and find the right breeder, sometimes "crazy" is just another word for "totally worth it."When You Know, You Know
Sarah and Casey had met a Maremma in their Hawaii neighborhood and fallen head-over-heels for the breed. But living on an island presented some serious challenges. Could they even find a Maremma breeder willing to work with them? And even if they could, how would they navigate Hawaii's strict quarantine requirements?
After researching (and even considering breeders in Australia), Sarah found Prancing Pony Farm. We had a long phone consultation where we talked about everything—the breed, their goals, their lifestyle, and yes, the logistics of getting a puppy to Hawaii.
#CaliforniaLGDbreeder #CaliforniaMaremmabreeder #DogSocialization #LivestockGuardianDogs ... See MoreSee Less
Aloha, Caia! A Maremma Sheepdog Puppy’s Journey from California to Hawaii
prancingponymaremmas.com
Six months ago, Sarah contacted me from Hawaii with what she called a "crazy" request—she wanted one of my Maremma puppies. The challenge? Hawaii's quarantine requirements mean a six-month process. ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The critical weeks when puppies learn the "language" of livestock - and why choosing the right teachers matters more than you think.
At 5 weeks old, our current litter has reached one of the most exciting milestones in livestock guardian development: full-time integration with their "trainer" goats.
No more supervised visits or controlled introductions. These confident young Maremma LGD puppies now live, eat, and explore alongside a carefully selected group of goats who will teach them everything about being part of a multi-species family.
But here's what most people don't understand about livestock integration: You can't just turn puppies loose with random livestock and hope for the best. The animals you choose as "teachers" during these critical weeks will shape your livestock guardian dog's relationship with livestock for life.
Get it right, and you create dogs that naturally protect what they bond with.
#LGDPuppyDevelopment #LGDswithChildren #PuppySocializationSeries ... See MoreSee Less
Livestock Integration for LGD Puppies: From Observation to Interaction
prancingponymaremmas.com
At 5 weeks old, LGD puppies reach a critical milestone: full-time livestock integration. Discover how to choose the right puppy trainer animals, avoid common mistakes, and set the foundation for calm,...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Don’t let this happen to you. The time to protect your livestock from predators is before the attack happens. The way to protect them is with a pair of Prancing Pony Farm Maremma livestock guardian dogs. Save your animals. Don’t mourn their loss. DM me for details on how to protect your goats or whatever else you love and value. Even your family.
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So true! When people ask me what commands I teach my dogs I say none. I teach them cues, and there’s a big difference. ... See MoreSee Less
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Why Puppy Socialization Matters for LGDs
There's a critical difference between dogs that work confidently with their families and those that become fearful liabilities.
One of the most damaging myths in the livestock guardian dog (LGD) world is that puppy socialization with humans will somehow “ruin” a working dog’s protective instincts. This misconception has led to countless under-socialized dogs that grow into management nightmares—fearful, aggressive, or impossible to handle when veterinary care or emergencies arise.
The truth? Proper human socialization doesn’t compete with livestock bonding—it enhances it.
A well-socialized LGD puppy grows into a confident, manageable, and still naturally protective guardian. Their instincts are written in their genetics, not erased by positive human interaction.
#CaliforniaMaremmabreeder #DogSafety #DogSocialization #GoatGuardianDog #LGDBehavior #LGDPuppyDevelopment #PositiveReinforcementTraining #PrancingPonyFarm #RaisingHealthyPuppies ... See MoreSee Less
Puppy Socialization for Livestock Guardian Dogs: Why Human Interaction Builds Better Working LGDs
prancingponymaremmas.com
One of the most damaging myths in the livestock guardian dog world is that human socialization will somehow "ruin" a working dog's protective instincts. This misconception has led to countless poorly ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook