Unlock the Mysteries of Livestock Guardian Dogs!
My Science-Based Courses Will Show You How
My Flagship Course and More!
Click on the courses below to learn more or to enroll.
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What is a Livestock Guardian Dog? FREE COURSE!
Course • 11 lessonsWhat is a livestock guardian dog?! We've all been told that they are not pets, but what does that really mean? This short course will show you what about LGDs is different than companion dogs - and so much more!
Free
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From Novice to Expert: How to Nurture & Train Livestock Guardian Dogs
Course • 170 lessonsThis course will guide you through understanding what a livestock guardian dog is, if one is right for you, how to select one, and how to understand and train an LGD from puppy-hood to trustworthy adult.
$200
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Zoom Sessions 101: Training and Behavior Advanced Concepts
Course • 44 lessonsThis is the library for the recorded live Zoom sessions that are included in the From Novice to Expert: Learn to Master Behavior and Training course.
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Livestock Guardian Dog Training Learning Community
Community • 341 membersThis is a learning community where all are welcome. You are welcome to share your LGD stories and videos. Kindness rules the day in this community. We will promote training that dogs do not fear or work to avoid.
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From Graduate to Lifelong Learner: Why Membership is the Key
Bundle • 2 learning productsAnnual membership gives graduates full access to the Novice to Expert course as well as access to the Zoom 101 library and my live support though the weekly Zoom sessions.
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From Novice to Expert: Annual Membership Access For Graduates
Course • 152 lessonsAvailable to graduates of the Novice to Expert: How to Nurture and Train Livestock Guardian Dogs course. This is a copy of the original course. It will include any updates I make to the original course and is set up without prerequisites.
Let Me Introduce Myself
Cindy Benson KPA CTP
Trainer - Author - Rancher
[email protected]
I am a positive reinforcement training professional certified through the Karen Pryor Academy. I use training methods dogs do not fear or work to avoid. My extensive knowledge and experience with livestock guardian dogs and my significant behavioral science and training education make me the right person to teach these courses.
Here Is a Little More Information About Who I Am and Why I Do What I Do
I live with my husband of 30 years on our secluded 360-acre ranch in Gold Hill, Oregon. I have lived a ranch life since I was a child, and most of my life has been spent managing large populations of livestock, and a few less common creatures including ostriches, emus, and parrots. I raised Miniature Donkeys for almost 30 years; at one time my herd consisted of 120 donkeys. Maremma livestock guardian dogs came into my life initially to protect my donkey herd but have since captivated all my attention.
As a new LGD owner in 2014, it quickly became clear that I had a lot to learn about this very different sort of working dog. I encountered the frustration of finding trustworthy, science-based LGD training resources, so I began my formal behavioral science education as I continued to learn from my growing population of working Maremmas.
I was a breeder of registered, hip-tested Maremmas for several years producing over 100 pups. Because training is my passion, and because I wanted to ensure that my pups would be successful, I placed most of my pups at 6 -12 months of age, complete with PennHIP testing. Creating my breeding program, raising pups, managing my population of 20-40 working LGDs, and then training LGDs professionally, has allowed me to learn from easily 300 LGDs - so far!
In 2021, I became a certified professional dog trainer through the completion of the rigorous Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professionals Course. I have stepped down as a breeder of Maremmas and now devote myself full-time to training livestock guardian dogs of all breeds, teaching through the use of Zoom sessions or in person, blog posts, and my online LGD training courses. I published an LGD training manual on Amazon in 2021; stay tuned for the second LGD training book!
I am an avid student of animal behavioral science. Honing my education has made me hungry for more so I am usually participating in formal coursework of some sort! To learn more about the courses I have taken, please go to:
https://www.bensonmaremmas.com/cindy-benson-kpa-ctp
Why do I do what I do? Because I love these dogs and choose to do all I can to protect them by paying forward what I have learned. I want others to be as successful with their dogs as I am with mine!
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