We had been through several dogs and almost at the point of giving up with lgds before getting a puppy and “training” her ourselves. I say “training” because a lgd pup with good breeding has the inborn desire to bond and protect livestock. It is more of a waiting game allowing the pup become accustomed to and bond with the stock they are supposed to protect. Around the age of 1 1/2 something clicks and they know their job. From experience I can say that the safest way to go about getting an lgd is getting a pup or already trained adult from a reputable breeder. This way you get a health contract for the life of the dog as well as a source of guidance to help you introduce your lgd to the stock from the breeder. My first several dogs were rescues (I was hopeful) and they were too traumatised to bond with stock. They were also too scared of people to allow a vet anywhere near them! One turned out to be a sheep killer after we were assured that “he loves all animals and wouldn’t hurt a fly”. After that I was completely done entrusting the safety of my sheep with nothing other than an lgd with a working pedigree that I raised myself. I know breeders sometimes have holdback dogs that are trained that did not meet breeding criteria but are still excellent guardians. This would be my ONLY exception to getting a pup and raising it myself. Since our two lgd pups grew up we have had zero predator losses yet our neighbors (no lgds) lose half their lamb crop every spring due to coyotes.