Prancing Pony Farm Maremma Sheepdogs and Mini Dairy Goats
  • Home
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Veterinarian's Letter of Recommendation
    • Farm Visits
    • Virtual Farm Tour
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Prancing Pony Farm Families FaceBook Group
  • MSCA Registered Maremma Sheepdogs for Sale
    • Available Maremma Puppies & Planned Litters
    • Available Juvenile & Adult Dogs
    • Maremma Application and Questionnaire
    • Maremma Sales Policies
    • Shipping Maremma Puppies
    • Maremma Visitor Policy
    • Bringing Home Your Prancing Pony Maremma Sheepdog Puppy
    • Training Your Prancing Pony Maremma Sheepdog
    • The Prancing Pony Farm Difference - How We Raise and Train Our Maremma Puppies >
      • Meet the Breeder
      • Our Puppy Parlor
      • Veterinarian's Letter of Recommendation
      • Maremma Testimonials
      • Our Puppies with Their New Families
      • Our Maremmas and Children
      • Puppies Everywhere! All the places our puppies reside!
      • The Importance of Early Socialization in LGD Puppies
      • Critical Learning Periods in Puppies
      • Puppy Placement Policies
      • How Many LGD's do I Need?
      • Breeding Candidate Puppy Program
      • Vaccine and Parasite Protocol for Our Maremma Puppies
    • Our Maremma Sheepdogs >
      • Our Breeding Maremmas >
        • Simba
        • Sevro
        • Pax
        • Pegaso
        • Gianna
        • Marcella
        • Marisa
        • Celeste
        • Polar
        • Electra
      • Reference Maremmas and Non-Breeding Dogs
    • Maremma Litters - Past & Present >
      • January 2023 Litter Gianna x Pax
      • December 2022 Litter Marisa x Sevro
      • October 2022 Litter Marcella x Sevro
      • May 2022 Litter Polar x Sevro
      • May 2022 Litter Marisa x Simba
      • February 2022 Litter Celeste x Sevro
      • December 2021 Litter Gianna x Simba
      • October 2021 Litter Marcella x Sevro
      • May 2021 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • February 2021 Litter Simba x Marcella
      • February 2021 Litter Sevro x Polar
      • December 2020 Litter Sevro x Gianna
      • September 2020 Litter Olaf x Carina
      • August 2020 Litter Simba x Polar
      • January 2020 Litter Olaf x Carina
      • 2019 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • 2018 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • 2017 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
    • Maremma Sheepdog Info & Care >
      • Maremma Sheepdog FAQ's
      • Maremma Sheepdog Open Forum Facebook Group
      • Feeding our Maremma Sheepdogs
      • Goat Milk for Healthy Dogs and Puppies
      • Grooming Maremma Sheepdogs
      • Housing Maremmas
      • Favorite Dog Products
      • Whelping Supplies for LGD's
  • Maremma Sheepdog Blog
  • Mini Nubian & Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Sale
    • Baby Goats For Sale
    • Adult Goats for Sale
    • Breeding Plan Goats
    • Our Farm Vet's Letter of Recommendation
    • Goat Application and Questionnaire
    • Shipping Goats
    • Goat Sales Policies
    • Goat Stud service info
  • Dairy Goat Blog
    • Our Prancing Ponies
    • Fun Farm videos
  • Our Dairy Goat Herd
    • Mini Nubian Does
    • Mini Nubian Bucks
    • Reference Mini Nubian Does
    • Reference Mini Nubian Bucks
    • Standard Nubian Does
    • Nigerian Dwarf Does
    • Nigerian Dwarf Bucks
    • Reference Nigerian Dwarf Does
    • Reference Nigerian Dwarf Bucks
    • Past Kidding Seasons >
      • 2022 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2022 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Fall 2021 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Spring 2021 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Spring 2021 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2020 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • 2020 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2019 Fall Kids
      • 2019 Spring Kids
      • 2018 Fall Kids
      • 2018 Spring Kids
      • 2018 Mini Nubian kids
      • 2018 Nigerian Dwarf kids
      • 2017 Spring Kids
  • Prancing Pony Farm Online Store
  • Goat care & Info
    • Goat care articles
    • Clicker Training Goats
    • Useful Animal Products & Links
    • Supplies for Goats
    • Favorite Goat products
    • Annual Disease Testing of Goats
    • Bringing Home Your New Goat
    • Health concerns of your new goat
    • Feeding Our Mini Dairy Goats
    • Feeding Mini & Dwarf Baby Goats
    • Housing Does & Kids
    • Goat Parasites
    • Pneumonia in Goats
    • Goat Hoof Trimming
    • Milking Dairy Goats
    • Our Dairy Goat Milking Parlor
    • Disbudding Mini & Dwarf Goats
    • Nigerian Dwarf Goats
    • Mini Nubian Goats
    • Mini Nubian Ears
    • Dairy Goat FAQ's
  • Maremma page

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 LGD's. 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 Prancing Pony Farm Difference
But the breeder is only part of the equation when it comes to successfully raising and training a LGD puppy. The third and equally important part is a dedicated owner with a well thought out plan of continuing the job the breeder started. There are tools, resources and information out there that will make that job much easier for the new puppy owner. Below are the top three resources I recommend for all of my new puppy owners:
  • Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations Course This online, science-based course in dog training will teach you the how to communicate with your Maremma (or any dog) in a fun way and to build a partnership with your dog. The multi-sensory program uses all the learning modalities (visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic) through reading, charts and diagrams, videos and hands on practice with your dog. There is absolutely no substitute for this program our no better preparation for owning a Maremma. We have found that people who only read about this training method in books or online aren't nearly as successful as those who take the course. So do yourself and your dog a favor and sign up today. You won't regret it!
  • Livestock Guardian Dog Training Manual, by Cindy Benson  This outstanding book by Cindy Benson goes hand in hand with the KPA Dog Trainer Foundations Course, outlining how to adapt the program to LGD's, which have different needs than companion dogs. There's no better book on training a Maremma available, but it MUST be used in conjunction with the Dog Trainer Foundations course. It is not a standalone book, though Cindy is working on one of those and it will be amazing!
  • Benson Maremmas Training Blog and Training Services Cindy Benson is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner who specializes in training Maremmas. She's completed many courses in dog training in addition to her KPA course work. She was secretary of the MSCA for three years and was a MSCA Code of Ethics breeder of Maremmas before she retired from breeding. She is the breeder and trainer of four of our outstanding breeding dogs: Pax, Marisa, Celeste and Circe. She continues to train Maremmas and other LGD's in person and via Zoom Training Sessions. I refer people to her regularly, including my own puppy customers. There is not anyone in America that knows more about training Maremmas than Cindy. ​Her extensive blog posts are a treasure trove of educational material and her Zoom training sessions have been invaluable for so many people and their dogs. I highly encourage my customers to read her blogs and if there's ever something I can't help them figure out Cindy can do it. If she can't help nobody can!
Despite having the above resources available I still felt I needed more to help my puppy customers when they had questions. I knew the answers were in the KPA course, as well as in Cindy's LGD Training manual. And her extensive blog has even more helpful information, but I was always scrambling to find just the right blog post to help someone with a particular issue. I knew that a well laid out, step by step guide, including a list of her most important blog posts, would be invaluable for my clients, so I asked Cindy if she would write such a document specifically for my puppy clients. Kind of a "Quick Start Guide to Training Your Prancing Pony Maremma".

As usual, Cindy blew me away, exceeding my expectations by miles. Below is the result of that project - a step by step training manual for helping any puppy bred by me mature into an outstanding Livestock Guardian Dog. Not only did she write an amazing book but she had the covers professionally designed and the book professionally edited and formatted for both print and digital versions of the book. And many beautiful photos of my dogs as well as Cindy's were included. This book is truly a work of art, a labor of love and an invaluable tool for helping my new Maremma owners train their pups.

Please understand that this training manual was written specifically for my puppies and my program. The information in it is very useful in training any dog and I do highly encourage anyone with a Maremma or other LGD to read the book and train your dog in this way. You will find much of value here. Just be aware that the exact same results won't be achieved with a puppy bred by someone else, who hasn't had the particular early socialization and training that I give my puppies. Remember it takes three vital elements to produce an outstanding LGD - great working genetics, proper training and socialization from the breeder and continued proper training by the owner. The bonus fourth element is ongoing support from the breeder as well as other qualified professionals like Cindy.  This book will provide the guidance you need to finish the work I started. Follow this plan and you will end up with a dog that's truly worth its weight in gold as a Livestock Guardian Dog! And remember if you ever get stuck or need additional advice or help both Cindy and I are available for the life of your Maremma!

*Included below are the link to the PDF document, so that the hyperlinks can be accessed, as well as photos of the cover. We are in the process of getting the books printed so that we have hard copies for our new puppy customers. If you are interested in receiving a hard copy let us know. Otherwise feel free to download the digital version for yourself. And happy training with your new puppy!
Click below to download and save this document and access the hyperlinks to Cindy's Blog:
Prancing Pony Farm Maremma Training Manual
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Other Training Information From Our Website and Blog

  • The Prancing Pony Farm Difference: How We Raise and Train Our Maremma Puppies
  • Our Puppy Parlor
  • How Many LGD's Do I Need?
  • The Importance of Early Socialization with Livestock in LGD Puppies
  • ​Critical Learning Periods in Puppies
  • The Puppy Call
  • How to Bond Your New Maremma Puppy to Livestock
  • ​Debunking "The Shepherd Way" Myth of LGD Training​
  • Manding and Dealing with Biting in Puppies
  • ​Puppy Curriculum
  • ​Veterinarians Agree That Reward Based Training is Best for Your Dog
  • ​Finding Their Bark
  • Failed Dogs or Failing Our Dogs
  • ​Puppy Aptitude Testing
  • ​A Merry Chase! Emergency Recall When Your Maremma Makes a Great Escape! 

Other Resources and Information for Training Maremma Sheepdogs

At Prancing Pony Farm we are huge advocates of Positive Reinforcement training for all animals. Punishment based training only causes animals to mistrust and fear you, whereas Positive Reinforcement creates a partnership built on communication, love and respect with your animals.

LGD’s are not like your typical dogs. They were bred over thousands of years to be independent thinkers, guarding livestock from serious predators, often with little human and supervision. They had to make life or death decisions to keep their charges safe. These traits are still an integral part of modern day LGD’s, especially breeds such as the Maremma Sheepdog, who haven’t been overbred as pets and show dogs.

What’s more, LGD’s are big, strong, powerful dogs with the tenacity and ferocity to fight off apex predators. Humans who think they can “show the dog who’s boss” will likely get seriously hurt! And your dog will learn not to trust you and will not be safe to handle. And a wild, uncontrollable LGD is not an asset to anyone, it’s a liability.

Through Positive Reinforcement Training you will win your dog’s trust and loyalty, in a safe and fun manner. And while you can’t change a tiger’s stripes - or a Maremma’s independent nature - a dog that loves and trust you is a lot more likely to obey you. At least some of the time. 😆

Below are some of the resources we use and recommend for training all dogs, but especially LGD’s. And what’s really cool is that the basic concepts are very similar so once you understand these you can use what you learn with all your animals, be they cats, horses, goats or goldfish! No matter what kind of animals you have and love +R (positive reinforcement) is the way to go!

Recommended Training Resources

  • Puppy Culture for Breeders and Dog Owners
  • Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations
  • Livestock Guardian Dog Training Manual by Cindy Benson
  • Benson Maremmas Blogs by Cindy Benson
  • Maremma Sheepdog Forum​
  • On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals​​
  • Karen Pryor Clicker Training website (positive training for dogs and other species)​​
  • Maremma Sheepdog Open Forum
  • Livestock Guardian Dogs Association ​​
  • ​​Maremmano.com (Maremma website)​​​
  • AVSAB Position Statement on Humane Dog Training
  • AVSAB Position Statement on Dominance Theory in Dog Training
  • AVSAB How to Choose a Dog Trainer

Recommended Books

Useful Training Products

Dog Training Platforms are fantastic training aids for dogs. I had seen these in photos but never understood the value of them until I attended the Across All Species clicker training course at the KPA Ranch. The very first day I trained a goat with the platform I came home and ordered 6 of them for my goats and dogs.

Training Treats we use for Clicker Training

  • Canine Carry Outs
  • Amazon Brand Wag Training Treats
  • Alpo Tbonz Treats
  • Milk Bone Marrow Snacks
  • Milk Bone Mini Treats
  • Milk Bone Soft & Chewy Treats
  • Gerber Meat baby food
  • Baby Food pouches with meat, any variety
  • Pup-Peroni
  • Human food such as cheese, meat, peanut butter, etc
Choosing the Right Treats - Low Value versus High Value Treats
Maremma Reservations
Click the links below for information on our dairy goats or Maremma Sheepdogs.
​We are located in Lemoore, California.
Goat Reservations
Puppy Reservations
Click the link below to download a free digital copy of our Maremma Sheepdog Training Manual. Print copies are included with each puppy purchase. 
Free Maremma Sheepdog Training Manual
  • Home
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Veterinarian's Letter of Recommendation
    • Farm Visits
    • Virtual Farm Tour
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Prancing Pony Farm Families FaceBook Group
  • MSCA Registered Maremma Sheepdogs for Sale
    • Available Maremma Puppies & Planned Litters
    • Available Juvenile & Adult Dogs
    • Maremma Application and Questionnaire
    • Maremma Sales Policies
    • Shipping Maremma Puppies
    • Maremma Visitor Policy
    • Bringing Home Your Prancing Pony Maremma Sheepdog Puppy
    • Training Your Prancing Pony Maremma Sheepdog
    • The Prancing Pony Farm Difference - How We Raise and Train Our Maremma Puppies >
      • Meet the Breeder
      • Our Puppy Parlor
      • Veterinarian's Letter of Recommendation
      • Maremma Testimonials
      • Our Puppies with Their New Families
      • Our Maremmas and Children
      • Puppies Everywhere! All the places our puppies reside!
      • The Importance of Early Socialization in LGD Puppies
      • Critical Learning Periods in Puppies
      • Puppy Placement Policies
      • How Many LGD's do I Need?
      • Breeding Candidate Puppy Program
      • Vaccine and Parasite Protocol for Our Maremma Puppies
    • Our Maremma Sheepdogs >
      • Our Breeding Maremmas >
        • Simba
        • Sevro
        • Pax
        • Pegaso
        • Gianna
        • Marcella
        • Marisa
        • Celeste
        • Polar
        • Electra
      • Reference Maremmas and Non-Breeding Dogs
    • Maremma Litters - Past & Present >
      • January 2023 Litter Gianna x Pax
      • December 2022 Litter Marisa x Sevro
      • October 2022 Litter Marcella x Sevro
      • May 2022 Litter Polar x Sevro
      • May 2022 Litter Marisa x Simba
      • February 2022 Litter Celeste x Sevro
      • December 2021 Litter Gianna x Simba
      • October 2021 Litter Marcella x Sevro
      • May 2021 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • February 2021 Litter Simba x Marcella
      • February 2021 Litter Sevro x Polar
      • December 2020 Litter Sevro x Gianna
      • September 2020 Litter Olaf x Carina
      • August 2020 Litter Simba x Polar
      • January 2020 Litter Olaf x Carina
      • 2019 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • 2018 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
      • 2017 Litter Olaf x Genevieve
    • Maremma Sheepdog Info & Care >
      • Maremma Sheepdog FAQ's
      • Maremma Sheepdog Open Forum Facebook Group
      • Feeding our Maremma Sheepdogs
      • Goat Milk for Healthy Dogs and Puppies
      • Grooming Maremma Sheepdogs
      • Housing Maremmas
      • Favorite Dog Products
      • Whelping Supplies for LGD's
  • Maremma Sheepdog Blog
  • Mini Nubian & Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Sale
    • Baby Goats For Sale
    • Adult Goats for Sale
    • Breeding Plan Goats
    • Our Farm Vet's Letter of Recommendation
    • Goat Application and Questionnaire
    • Shipping Goats
    • Goat Sales Policies
    • Goat Stud service info
  • Dairy Goat Blog
    • Our Prancing Ponies
    • Fun Farm videos
  • Our Dairy Goat Herd
    • Mini Nubian Does
    • Mini Nubian Bucks
    • Reference Mini Nubian Does
    • Reference Mini Nubian Bucks
    • Standard Nubian Does
    • Nigerian Dwarf Does
    • Nigerian Dwarf Bucks
    • Reference Nigerian Dwarf Does
    • Reference Nigerian Dwarf Bucks
    • Past Kidding Seasons >
      • 2022 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2022 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Fall 2021 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Spring 2021 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • Spring 2021 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2020 Nigerian Dwarf Kids
      • 2020 Mini Nubian Kids
      • 2019 Fall Kids
      • 2019 Spring Kids
      • 2018 Fall Kids
      • 2018 Spring Kids
      • 2018 Mini Nubian kids
      • 2018 Nigerian Dwarf kids
      • 2017 Spring Kids
  • Prancing Pony Farm Online Store
  • Goat care & Info
    • Goat care articles
    • Clicker Training Goats
    • Useful Animal Products & Links
    • Supplies for Goats
    • Favorite Goat products
    • Annual Disease Testing of Goats
    • Bringing Home Your New Goat
    • Health concerns of your new goat
    • Feeding Our Mini Dairy Goats
    • Feeding Mini & Dwarf Baby Goats
    • Housing Does & Kids
    • Goat Parasites
    • Pneumonia in Goats
    • Goat Hoof Trimming
    • Milking Dairy Goats
    • Our Dairy Goat Milking Parlor
    • Disbudding Mini & Dwarf Goats
    • Nigerian Dwarf Goats
    • Mini Nubian Goats
    • Mini Nubian Ears
    • Dairy Goat FAQ's
  • Maremma page