Jun 25, 2026 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Mar 12, 2026 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Your Maremma Match: A New Quiz to Help You Find the Right Age Dog for Your Farm If you’re considering a Maremma Sheepdog or another livestock guardian dog, one of the first questions you’ll face is whether to start with a puppy, an adolescent dog, or an adult...
Jan 15, 2026 | *Caia, *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, Clicker Training, Companion Maremmas, Dog Behavior & Training, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
Today I’m thrilled to share a guest post from Sarah, one of my incredible puppy clients. Sarah is originally from France and brought her Maremma Sheepdog puppy, Caia, home from Prancing Pony Farm to live an adventurous life in Hawaii. As a first-time dog owner...
Jan 8, 2026 | Clicker Training, Karen Pryor Academy, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Product Reviews |
It’s that time of year again – Karen Pryor Academy’s annual January sale is happening right now, and I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it. This is one of only TWO times per year (January and September) that KPA offers 20% off their entire...
Nov 20, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *How Many LGDS, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Why This Client Got Two Puppies Twice—And Why You Should Too Almost two years ago, Amy made a decision that many people struggle with. She decided to bring home not one, but two Maremma Sheepdog puppies. Then last weekend, she did it again. Let me tell you why...
Oct 16, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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...
Oct 9, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News, *Caia, *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Companion Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
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...
Sep 18, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Most breeders focus on genetics. We’ve engineered an entire system that turns great genetics into exceptional livestock guardian dogs. When livestock owners ask me what makes Prancing Pony Farm puppies different, they expect me to talk about bloodlines, health...
Aug 5, 2025 | Book Reviews, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Grooming Dogs, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
A Game-Changer for Dog Grooming and Care As someone who began grooming dogs at age 14 and has spent decades working with animals, I can honestly say that Terrie Hayward, Jay Andors, and Anne Francis’s “Grooming Without Stress” represents a...
Jul 31, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *One Thing, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Family Dog Mediation, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
As a Maremma Sheepdog breeder and trainer with years of experience, I’ve noticed a pattern among Livestock Guardian Dog owners. There’s a crucial step that separates those who struggle with their dogs from those who truly thrive – and surprisingly,...
Jul 10, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Pet Insurance, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Health & Wellness, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Product Reviews, Puppy Care |
Protecting your livestock guardian dog means safeguarding your peace of mind. You’ve done everything right. You researched reputable breeders and invested in health-tested parents. You brought home a beautiful Maremma Sheepdog puppy with a comprehensive health...
Jun 19, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Your Maremma’s first birthday represents far more than just marking time—it’s a celebration of an incredible transformation from the puppy you first brought home to the developing livestock guardian dog or family companion they’ve become. At Prancing...
Jun 5, 2025 | *Ethical Breeding, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
When Passion Meets Resistance: Reflections on Ethical LGD Breeding “I hate your business.” Those are the words I hear from my husband whenever challenges arise in my Maremma Sheepdog breeding business. He sees the stress, the late nights, the financial...
May 3, 2025 | Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Livestock Guardian Dogs are incredibly devoted protectors who take their job seriously. But sometimes, they can display behaviors that might seem concerning, like barking aggressively at something on the other side of a fence, yet being perfectly calm when that...
Apr 24, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Why Older Puppies Often Make the Best Livestock Guardian Dogs One of the most persistent myths in the Livestock Guardian Dog community is that puppies must be acquired at the youngest possible age to bond with their new owners and livestock properly. As the owner of...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: June 20, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 80-90 lbs At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70-80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 80-100 lbs At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a...
Apr 10, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Planning Ahead, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Planning Ahead: Why Timing Matters When Adding a Livestock Guardian Dog to Your Farm Unlike bringing home a pet dog – where you might only need a few days off work to help a puppy settle in – adding a Livestock Guardian Dog to your farm requires careful...
Mar 28, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: June 20, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 90 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a...
Jan 23, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Family Dog Mediation |
Livestock guardian dog owners, this is the game-changing resource you’ve been waiting for. Kim Brophy’s “The Dog’s Truth” offers a revolutionary approach to understanding dogs that goes far beyond anything you may have heard. It is...
Jan 18, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, *Top Training, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Book Reviews, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
There are three key components that are required in order to produce an outstanding Livestock Guardian Dog. The first two – genetics and early training and socialization (or Nature and Nurture) – are the responsibility of the breeder. If you’ve...
Jan 18, 2025 | *How Many LGDS, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Ask this question of dog breeders, livestock owners and even pet dog owners and you will get a lot of different opinions, some of them very strong. New puppy buyers are trying to do their research so they can the best thing for their dogs and their stock....
Jan 16, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs |
As a dedicated Maremma Sheepdog breeder and positive reinforcement trainer specializing in livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), I’ve always believed in the power of community. Today, I’m thrilled to announce a program that will strengthen our connections while...
Jan 2, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
It's a New Year It’s hard to believe that 2025 is finally here. Where did the time go? Looking Back at 2024 Electra had three lovely pups in February. Lucy is now guarding chickens in Massachusetts and Levi and Jocelyn are guarding goats in Texas. Completion...
Dec 5, 2024 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, All About Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Meet Oliver, the excellent chicken guardian. Oliver is a dog from our first Maremma litter, born in 2017. When Oliver’s owners came to me for an LGD, they had never bought a dog from a breeder because they strongly believed in rescuing dogs. However, they needed...
Nov 26, 2024 | Dog Health & Wellness, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
🦃🐾 Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Livestock Guardian Dogs 🐾🦃 Thanksgiving is a season of joy, gratitude, and indulgent feasting. It’s a time when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the abundance of life. But while you’re enjoying pumpkin pie and...
Nov 20, 2024 | Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
This post was inspired by a question asked by a member of my Living and Working With Maremma Sheepdogs Facebook group. This was her question. My reply is below! Question “Hello! I’m new to the group and looking for all the info I can on breed-specific...
Nov 7, 2024 | *Top Posts, Book Reviews, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
What are calming signals in livestock guardian dogs? Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs is essential for anyone who owns these remarkable animals. These dogs are not just protectors of livestock and beloved companions; they are also complex...
Nov 6, 2024 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Ensuring harmony between livestock and Livestock Guardian Dogs is essential for the safety and well-being of all animals involved, and the peace of mind of their owners. In this post I will walk you through a crucial aspect of farm life – safely acclimating...
Oct 31, 2024 | All About Puppies, Dog Behavior & Training, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Are you wondering how to keep your Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) puppy happy and active? LGD breeds like Maremma Sheepdogs, Great Pyrenees, and Anatolian Shepherds need appropriate play outlets to prevent boredom, which can lead to rowdy behavior around livestock and... 
