Hi Reader,

"These are dogs, not programmable robots."

I've said that more times than I can count, and it's been on my mind a lot lately.

Here's what I want every Maremma family to hear: before your puppy ever leaves the farm, I hand you a success plan. Foundational dog training and behavior resources, a livestock integration plan (including a way to separate your puppy from the stock if needed), and a heads-up about the teenage months. It's the same plan for everyone, and it works.

But it only works if you work it.

"He Should Know Better." But Does He?

When someone calls me about a puppy who suddenly started chasing stock at eight months, or continues to jump on people ("He should know better."), my first question is always the same: "Did you do follow the plan?" (Starting with the foundational resources I recommended in our very first conversation and in multiple blog posts, emails, and conversations before and after your puppy came home.) Not to call anyone out. It's simply where the answer starts.

I know "I don't have time" is real. I once had to pause my own Karen Pryor Academy course during a busy kidding season, and they kindly put it on hold for me. So I'm not asking you to be superhuman. I'm asking you to start when you can. Do what you can. Even 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference for your dog. You find time to feed the animals and clean pens. (You might even find time to watch TV and scroll social media.) This belongs on that same list.

Without that foundational education, it's really hard to tell normal dog behavior from a bigger issue. Or to help your dog understand what you want it to do, instead of just what you don't want it to do. Dogs don't chase stock, pull on the leash, and jump on people for no reason. They don't do it to make you mad or because they're bad. Dogs always do what's reinforcing to them. The key to getting your dog to behave the way you want comes down to one thing. You have to follow the plan.

This week's blog post puts the whole plan in one place: the four resources I recommend to every puppy family, what Maremma adolescence really looks like (and why regression is normal), how breeding season changes your livestock and your puppy, and why your separation area needs to exist before pickup.

​Read the full plan: The Plan Only Works If You Work It →​

If you're one of my current puppy families, consider this your friendly nudge to remember the plan. If you're still researching Maremmas, consider it an honest look at what I'll ask of you when I entrust one of my precious puppies to you. I'd much rather tell you now than remind you later.

You don't have to be lucky. You have to be prepared.​

With all the very best,

Kim

Join Our Maremmas Made Easy Calls! Every Tuesday at 5pm Pacific, I host a free Maremmas Made Easy Q&A call on Zoom. Whether you're researching the breed, waiting on a puppy, or already living with a Maremma, you're welcome. Register once and come any week. Save My Spot →

Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner Licensed Family Dog Mediator ​Apply for My Maremma​ ​Book a Training Consultation​ ​Book an LGD Readiness Consultation​