📅 A costly lesson about planning ahead (and some unexpected opportunities)

Hi Reader,

This week reminded me why I'm so passionate about helping you succeed with your livestock guardian dog journey—and why planning ahead is one of the most important steps you can take.

When "I'll Reserve Soon" Meets Reality

Several conversations lately have highlighted a common misconception that I want to clear up for everyone on this list. I often hear from folks who believe that expressing interest in a puppy or having ongoing conversations about getting one somehow holds their place in line.

Here's the reality: No puppy is reserved without payment. Not because I don't trust people, but because I've learned that good intentions don't protect you when timing matters most, and it wouldn't be fair to the families who do commit with paid reservations to let others play by different rules.

Why the "Pay to Play" Policy Exists

You might wonder why I'm so strict about this. It comes down to protecting what matters most to you—getting the right livestock guardian dog when you need them.

Every person currently getting a puppy from our August litter paid their reservation months ago. Some shifted from our April litter when their plans changed. Others were hoping for April puppies but had to wait because there weren't enough. Some of the clients for the new litter and the April litter waited more than a year for their puppies. The common thread? They all secured their spot with a paid reservation well in advance.

This system works because it:

Guarantees your place in line when you need it most
Helps me plan breeding decisions based on real demand (not wishful thinking)
Protects serious families from losing out to last-minute interest

Planning Further Ahead Than You Think

Want to see how far ahead successful families plan? I recently received a reservation for two puppies that won't be ready until spring 2026. That's right—they're planning almost a year in advance because they know their farm timeline, their family situation, and when they'll be ready for new LGDs.

This kind of planning helps both of us. It helps me decide how many litters to plan and when to breed, while ensuring they get exactly the Maremmas they need when they need them.

An Unexpected Challenge Creates New Opportunities (And a Personal Lesson in Planning)

Speaking of planning, sometimes life throws curveballs that affect everyone's timeline. This week, I had to make the difficult decision to neuter Simba, one of my breeding males, due to testicular cancer. While his prognosis is excellent (he's recovering well at home) and will continue his important work here guarding my goats and mentoring young Maremmas (like silly intact teen girls 🤪), this changes my breeding program significantly.

Here's where I have to admit that even as a breeder, I fell into the same planning trap that catches so many of us. Over the years, I only kept two daughters from Simba—even though I had opportunities to keep more. I kept thinking, "I can always breed him to other girls later and keep more daughters then." I even sold two other daughters of his at different times, always thinking there would be plenty of opportunities to preserve his genetics later.

Now that Simba can no longer sire puppies, I deeply regret not keeping more of his daughters. He's an exceptional livestock guardian dog with wonderful genetics, and I wish I had planned better to preserve more of his bloodlines in my program. Even someone like me—with all the dogs and all the breeding decisions at my fingertips—ended up losing out because I didn't plan as strategically as I should have.

It's a humbling reminder that whether you're planning for your next livestock guardian dog or I'm planning my breeding program, the principle remains the same: hoping there will be opportunities "later" often means missing the opportunities we have right now.

Silver Linings LGD Playbook

The silver lining? This means I now have a few exceptional young females available that I had planned to keep for my program. Some of these girls were intended to be bred to Simba and are too closely related to my other studs to use. (I plan to get another stud but it may take a while to find one that checks all the boxes: excellent health testing, proven working parents, proper socialization with livestock and people, etc.) I have other girls that are available, as well. These include:

One beautiful 4-month-old female (related to both of my studs, unfortunately)
One or two outstanding year old females who have passed most of the rowdy puppy stage
A couple of adult females with proven track records with livestock and people

What This Means for Your Livestock Guardian Dog Journey

Whether you're looking for a young puppy or considering an older, partially trained adolescent or adult guardian, the message is the same: the families who plan ahead get the best choices.

Current puppy availability:

Two female puppies from our August litter of eight (will be ready in November)
Future litters being planned based on reservations and demand

If you've been thinking about adding a livestock guardian dog "someday," that someday might be closer than you think. And if you know you'll want a puppy in 2026, there's no reason not to secure your place now.

Your Next Step

The most successful Maremma families I work with all have one thing in common—they don't leave their farm's protection to chance. They plan ahead, secure their reservations, and work with me to get exactly the right dogs at exactly the right time.

If you're ready to stop worrying about predator losses and start enjoying the peace of mind that comes with a reliable livestock guardian dog, your next step is simple:

[Reserve Your Maremma →]

Have questions about timing, availability, or which option might be best for your unique situation?

[Schedule a Maremma Consultation Call →]

Planning ahead doesn't just protect your livestock investment—it protects your peace of mind.

Your partner in ethical LGD breeding,

Kim

P.S. Remember, I maintain only two types of waiting lists: paid ones and non-existent ones. If you want a Maremma from Prancing Pony Farm, the first step is always the same—secure your reservation with the $500 reservation fee that goes toward your final purchase. Everything else is just conversation until that happens. Don't risk what you care about - reserve your Prancing Pony Maremma today!

Want to stay informed about available Maremmas and our breeding plans? You're already on the list! Forward this to anyone you know who might need reliable livestock protection.