The time and work to bring a livestock guardian dog to full potential can seem like long road. The dog is given the instinct but to channel this can be frustrating early on. I have found at around two years this bred, Great Pyrenees, begins to recognize the large responsibility that it has under its charge. If no lead dog or this is an only dog it may take even longer and leaving a large portion of training to dog owner.
This dog will be required to think on his own, making "calls" late at night or early morn or in distant sections of pasture not always easily monitored by farmer. The dog will know to include cats, poultry, horses, pigs and other pets in addition to goats or sheep in his charge but separate or eliminate predators like strange dogs, coyote and even hawks. The younger dog need repeated discouragement by either lead dog or owner in excessive chase on off-limit animals. 
I am limited in my reach and depend on these dogs wholeheartedly. I have always raised Great Pyrenees with good luck and do recommend this bred but other LGDs have their cheerleaders and may be worth an look. Even a donkey and llamas offer protection! I suggest if you own goats or sheep this is the way to protect them. I would never go though a kidding season with some level of security, unless you really want a broken-heart.
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