How to Successfully Train Your Prancing Pony Farm Maremma Sheepdog
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 bought a puppy from us (or are considering doing so) you can rest assured that the first two are covered. We have selected our breeding stock from outstanding working dogs with the genetics that produce great LGDs. And our puppies are given the best start possible as future Livestock Guardian Dogs as well as members of their future families. We have a very careful and intentional puppy training and socialization program, which includes intensive early socialization with livestock as well as positive reinforcement training and socialization with humans (including children) and exposure to a wide variety of sights, sounds and experiences. What happens in the first 12-16 weeks of a puppy's life is vital to their success and a breeder can make or break a puppy as a LGD. Therefore we do our best to give our puppies an outstanding start and are always looking for ways to improve our program. If you haven't yet decided to buy a puppy from us you can learn more about our Puppy Training and Socialization Program by clicking the link below:
The third component is what happens after you bring your LGD home. There's much more to it than simply bringing home a puppy and putting it in with your livestock. Through the use of positive reinforcement training and a carefully set up environment you can help shape your puppy into the LGD he was born to be. Below are all the recommended courses, books, blog posts and other resources we recommend to help you raise and train a LGD that's literally worth its weight in gold.
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Training Resources and Websites We Recommend
- Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations Course This course is the number one resource we recommend for all of our puppy owners. You will learn step-by-step how to train and communicate with your dog using Positive Reinforcement and you'll have fun while you do it! Highly Recommended.
- UnChase! For the Rural Dog This course helps with the number one behavior LGD owners struggle with - chase behavior. You will learn how to set your new LGD up for success from day one, and to train them NOT to chase livestock using positive reinforcement methods.
- Training Livestock Guardian Dogs to Chickens - A Step-by-Step Guide This is a really good overview of how to train LGDs to chickens (or any poultry) using positive reinforcement methods.