Maggie-Bear is my Granddaughters LGD "Livestock Guardian Dog" that lives with me on the ranch
Since there are no older LGD's here to train her, she lives a dual life of a puppy in the house.. and she goes out with me to get acquainted with all the livestock.
She goes right into all the pens with me and that includes all the poultry pens .. and never bothers them. She is trustworthy and "sound in mind and judgment"
She is basically weaning herself from the house, as she will usually stay outside of her own accord for hours if I let her. The yard is not "dog proof" but we sit in the middle of my 200 acres, so I don't worry as she gradually extends her boundaries.
She is 4 1/2 months old and is going through that "gangly teenage puppy stage" .. her fur is changing .. and it will be another year and a half before she has that thick "double wool coat"
I just wanted to share with you a dog that instinctively knows its duties and I hope this helps some of you in your decision making on whether or not this type of dog is what you are looking for on your homestead.