Old Hickory Family Farm

Old Hickory Family Farm We are a small family farm in Chiefland, Florida where we raise cattle, Kiko meat goats, and chickens. Join us on this journey.

07/25/2026

She truly enjoys her job…

07/25/2026

When grass grows like crazy a few goats come in handy. 1/4 acre cleared in 2 days. Good job girls.

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies #4 Timing is EverythingIf your puppy is chasing livestock or misbehaving in any form...
07/19/2026

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies
#4 Timing is Everything

If your puppy is chasing livestock or misbehaving in any form, you have to act and correct immediately. The puppy needs to associate the unwanted behavior with an unpleasant outcome. The effectiveness of this correction increases the sooner it happens. Only positive reinforcement will not help to correct bad and unwanted behavior. The education and training of your puppy lies in your hands.

We’re so excited to keep one of the puppies from our last litter on the farm. Together with his littermates, this little...
07/14/2026

We’re so excited to keep one of the puppies from our last litter on the farm. Together with his littermates, this little guy has been a livestock guardian puppy in training since he was just a couple of weeks old. At almost 12 weeks now he is doing very well with our large flock of chickens and obeying basic commands.

We use the clicker method for our training and start with name recognition, “Sit” and “Come”. Once he has successfully learned these commands, we add “Down” and “Stay”.

Training sessions are usually done twice a day for about 10-15 minutes.

Why we love our Maremma SheepdogsMaremma Sheepdogs are slightly smaller than Great Pyrenees and several other livestock ...
07/05/2026

Why we love our Maremma Sheepdogs

Maremma Sheepdogs are slightly smaller than Great Pyrenees and several other livestock guardian dog breeds. For us they are the ideal size. They are easier to manage than larger breeds which is important when children help to take care of the dogs and for transportation. Even the male still fits in a large dog crate/carrier.�

The Maremma’s hair is lower maintenance than the Great Pyrenees. They shed nicely and only have minimal matting.�

The Maremma tends to stay closer to the flock or herd. The Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd guard the area more on the periphery. Since we do rotational grazing with our goats and have smaller pastures of about 2-3 acres, we need the dogs to respect those smaller areas.�

Maremma Sheepdogs are responsive barkers. They do not bark unless they perceive an actual threat. They focus on deterring predators, but will engage in battle as a last resort if they need to.�

Maremmas are low energy dogs, they are very gentle, and have a low prey drive. We have seen no chasing once the puppies are trained. Most other dogs and some other livestock guardian dogs have a high prey drive, which means there is a lot more training involved to teach them not to chase other animals on the farm.�

Maremma Sheepdogs are excellent with children because of their gentle character. They can be playful when they are young, but are laid back once they reach adulthood. They are usually not jumping up like other dog breeds.�

We love how intelligent the Maremmas are. They are gentle with their livestock and family, but sense when there is danger or something unfamiliar that could be a threat. They are independent thinkers and do not need guidance once they are out of the puppy stage.�

Maremma Sheepdogs are loving and gentle with the animals they guard. When the flock or herd is having babies, they will often engage in helping to care for the newborn or at least stay close to make sure nothing happens to them.

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies #3 Puppies are PuppiesFor the first couple of months, it is best to keep the puppy c...
07/02/2026

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies
#3 Puppies are Puppies

For the first couple of months, it is best to keep the puppy confined near the livestock, either allowing nose to nose contact, or at least eye contact with the other animals. Do not yet allow the puppy to roam freely among the animals, unless you are right there to intervene.

As a first step in allowing the puppy direct contact to livestock, it is advisable to put her with older animals that are calm and at the same time will not tolerate play chasing or play biting. This is probably the most effective method of training her to be respectful with livestock. The tricky part is finding animals that are compatible. They must tolerate some, but not all, playful behavior and not physically injure the pup.

But even then, puppies can and probably will get rowdy with the livestock at times. This is how they would naturally interact with their littermates. It is important to discourage or at least supervise this interactive play, and to step in if necessary. Correction needs to take place immediately.

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies #2 Where will the Puppy live?The first thing new owners want to do when their new pu...
06/28/2026

Training Livestock Guardian Puppies
#2 Where will the Puppy live?

The first thing new owners want to do when their new puppy arrives is cuddle and pamper it. But for the sake of success, it is very important to resist these emotions and place the puppy right out where it is intended to live close to the livestock.

This involves establishing a safe environment for the puppy in an area that allows the puppy to see and observe the livestock at least for part of the day. It is important to design a comfortable holding area for the puppy, where he/she will spend most of the time when nobody is able to supervise. Allow the puppy to meet your livestock, but always go slow and supervise to avoid bad experiences.

Origins of the Maremma Sheepdog and Great Pyrenees.Both the Maremma Sheepdog and the Great Pyrenees are trusted livestoc...
06/26/2026

Origins of the Maremma Sheepdog and Great Pyrenees.

Both the Maremma Sheepdog and the Great Pyrenees are trusted livestock guardians, but they developed in different landscapes and alongside different styles of shepherding.

The Great Pyrenees worked in the rugged and remote Pyrenees Mountains of southern France and northern Spain, often guarding flocks on large territories from a distance with little daily human interaction.

Maremma Sheepdogs, on the other hand, lived alongside Italian shepherds and their families, sharing close quarters in camp and moving together with sheep. This upbringing shaped a breed that bonds more closely with people, shows more responsiveness to guidance, and thrives when integrated into both family and farm life.

These beautiful girls are ready for their new farm or home, either guarding your livestock or your family and property. ...
06/24/2026

These beautiful girls are ready for their new farm or home, either guarding your livestock or your family and property.

They are 8 weeks old, just received their first round of vaccinations and health certificate, and are already used to chickens, goats, and cows. Excellent temperament, friendly yet calm and good with other animals. Parents are working livestock guardian dogs and purebred Maremma Sheepdogs. Grandfather of the dam came from Italy where the breed originated.

Chiefland, FL

Contact us for more information.

Our Maremma puppies are 8 weeks old and will go to their new homes in the coming weeks.The puppies come from working liv...
06/21/2026

Our Maremma puppies are 8 weeks old and will go to their new homes in the coming weeks.
The puppies come from working livestock guardian dogs and are already living among chickens and goats.
We only have two girls available at this point. All others have found homes already.

Address

Manatee Road
Chiefland, FL
32626

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