Livestock Guardian Dog Solutions

09/10/2025

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.

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. But when you fall in love with the right breed, "crazy" is just another word for "totally worth it."...

10/05/2025

I didn't know how this journey would end when I first started it a year and a half ago. Now I know the possibilities are endless!

I'm beyond thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you today. After a year and a half-long journey of countless hours of study, practice, video submissions, and assessments, I've officially completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program. I am now a KPA Certified Training...

09/05/2025

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 barrier is removed. This behavior, known as barrier frustration, is something I frequently discuss with my Maremma Sheepdog clients.

What is Barrier Frustration?
Barrier frustration occurs when dogs cannot access something they're interested in or feel they need to investigate because a physical barrier (like a fence) prevents them. This frustration can manifest as:

- Intense barking or growling
- Lunging at the fence
- Running back and forth along the barrier
- Digging near the fence line
- Apparent aggression toward whatever is on the other side

What's fascinating is that many dogs who display these behaviors might be completely relaxed and social when the barrier is removed.

Livestock Guardian Dogs sometimes display aggressive barking at the fence line, yet remain perfectly calm with the same triggers when barriers are removed. This phenomenon, known as barrier frustration, is completely normal for LGDs but can sometimes escalate to redirected aggression toward other an...

08/05/2025

I'm beyond thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you today. After a year and a half-long journey of countless hours of study, practice, video submissions, and assessments, I've officially completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program. I am now a KPA Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)!

This achievement represents so much more than just adding letters after my name. It's the culmination of years of learning, growing, and developing my skills as a breeder and trainer. It's about my commitment to providing the absolute best for my Maremma Sheepdogs, my clients, and all the animals I work with.

My Journey to Certification
In previous blog posts, many of you have followed parts of my journey through this program. What started as a dream slowly transformed into a reality, though not without its challenges!

I'm beyond thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you today. After a year and a half-long journey of countless hours of study, practice, video submissions, and assessments, I've officially completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program. I am now a KPA Certified Training...

01/05/2025

https://prancing-pony-farm.kit.com/posts/why-older-lgd-puppies-could-be-your-perfect-match

Maremma Sheepdog Breeder ~ LGD Trainer ~ Licenced Family Dog Mediator ~ Mini Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Breeder

24/04/2025

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 Prancing Pony Farm, where we specialize in ethical LGD breeding and force-free training, I regularly encounter potential clients who are reluctant to consider puppies older than 3-4 months.
"We want to wait for your next litter," they tell me, despite my having beautiful, well-socialized 8-9-month-old puppies available right now. "We're concerned an older puppy won't bond with us properly."
While I respect every client's choice, years of experience and countless success stories have shown me that this concern is largely unfounded. In fact, puppies between 6 and 12 months of age make ideal candidates for most working situations, especially for first-time LGD owners.
Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates why.

17/04/2025

Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 70-80 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 curse. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Violet, a guardian who offers all the protection of a Maremma in a more compact package from our carefully bred lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Violet's parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This investment in genetic health isn't just an extra precaution—it's essential to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
As one of the smaller pups in a litter of 11, Violet is expected to mature into a small to medium-sized dog, reaching an estimated adult weight of 70-80 lbs.

Violet offers powerful protection in a more manageable package. This 8-month-old female Maremma from health-tested parents is ideal for smaller farms needing effective guardians.

16/04/2025

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 curse. Today, we're delighted to introduce you to Daisy, a young guardian with working ability and an endearing personality from our carefully bred Maremma lines.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Daisy's parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This investment in genetic health isn't just an extra precaution—it's essential to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
As one of the larger pups in a litter of 11, Daisy is expected to mature into a substantial guardian, reaching an estimated adult weight of 80-100 lbs—providing the physical presence needed to deter predators effectively.

Daisy combines livestock guardian abilities with an endearing personality. This 8-month-old female Maremma from health-tested parents offers balanced protection and affectionate companionship.

15/04/2025

Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 90-110 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 curse. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Rose, a young guardian with impressive size and potential from our carefully bred Maremma lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Rose's parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This isn't just an extra step we take—it's fundamental to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
As one of the larger pups in a litter of 11, Rose is expected to mature into a substantial guardian, reaching an estimated adult weight of 90-100+ lbs. This size advantage provides an imposing presence that can deter even the boldest predators.

Rose offers impressive size potential in a female Maremma livestock guardian dog. This 8-month pup from health-tested parents brings balanced energy and confidence to livestock protection.

14/04/2025

National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 13th-19th) is the perfect time to discuss safety around all dogs, including our beloved Livestock Guardian Dogs. At Prancing Pony Farm, we're committed to breeding well-socialized, stable Maremma Sheepdogs that excel as livestock protectors while being safe around humans. However, even the best-bred LGDs have instincts and behaviors that owners must understand and manage properly.
Understanding Livestock Guardian Dog Behavior
Livestock Guardian Dogs are bred to be independent thinkers and protective of the livestock they guard and their human families. These traits make them excellent guardians but also mean they require specialized understanding. Unlike herding or companion breeds, LGDs are intended to assess threats and act autonomously. Those unfamiliar with these amazing dogs can sometimes misinterpret this independence as stubbornness or aggression.

14/04/2025

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 coordination of multiple factors: predator pressure, livestock acquisition, proper fencing, training time, and overall farm development.
Here at Prancing Pony Farm, I've witnessed firsthand how advance planning makes all the difference between a smooth integration and a stressful scramble. Let me share why thoughtful timing matters, and why securing your place on our waiting list early gives you significant advantages.The "Emergency Scenario" No Farmer Wants
I'll never forget the urgent call I received from a client with a small goat operation in Central California. His voice trembled with grief and worry.
"My livestock guardian dog died suddenly yesterday," he explained.

Join Our Email Newsletter for Our Latest Blog Posts and LGD Info!Please sign up below if you want to receive helpful Livestock Guardian Dog care and training articles or want to learn more about Maremma Sheepdogs and our breeding program. As a thank you for signing up, you'll receive a free copy of....

28/03/2025

Born: July 26, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 80 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 curse. That's why we're excited to introduce you to Aspen, a promising young guardian from our carefully bred Maremma lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Aspen's parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This isn't just an extra step we take—it's fundamental to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
When you invest in a puppy from health-tested parents, you're minimizing the risk of the heartbreak and expense of your dog developing hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other hereditary conditions that often force working dogs into early retirement.

Meet Aspen, a 7-month-old male Maremma from health-tested parents. This confident livestock guardian has been raised with goats and is ready to protect your farm investment.