Aussie Puppy

Question
Hi. I am new to the aussie breed, but not dogs. I have owned and trained many dogs in my life, and people usually come to me for advise. That being said, my husband brought me home an aussie puppy as a surprise the other day... Not like him at all. Anyway, she is a sweet little thing, she lays in my lap and snuggles, and is already potty trained. She plays great with my son's standard poodle service dog, and seems to be doing well in general. However, she doesn't seem all that interested in people. She doesn't run to you when you call her, and she won't engage in play. She isn't fearful, and doesn't run from us when we try to pick her up or anything. Is this typical of the breed, or just an odd quirk of hers? Will she likely warm up to us? We've had her no for 5 days. Thanks!

Answer
That sometimes happens when a pup is brought into a home with another dog.  If you think about it this way, it might help you understand.  Imagine I dropped you in Shanghai and everyone there is speaking Chinese, but you don't understand Chinese.  Then, a nice person walks up who speaks English.  Who are you going to hang with?  Same for dogs.  Also, Aussies are generally reserved with strangers, it's characteristic of the breed, and when they first meet you, you are a stranger - she'll warm up eventually when she realizes she's staying and that you are the bearer of all good things, like stuffed Kong toys (stuffing a toy with food is a great way to engage the dog to play with it).  They are loyal and loving with "familiars" and there's actually a saying about them, "I asked God for a friend.  He sent me an Australian Shepherd."  The danger with them is that some of them can become guardy of their familiars.  So, this pup should enter a positive puppy class right away, preferably before the 13 week mark, and should get *EXTENSIVE* socialization with people and other dogs before age 16 weeks, and then continuing through adolescence into adulthood (never use harsh training with Aussies, they're brilliant and don't need it, and are badly affected by it).  Try clicker training with her if you don't have a positive trainer nearby.  Sites you may want to check out: www.clickerlessons.com, www.dogmantics.com, and you can download a free copy of Ian Dunbar's puppy book here: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy.  If she's older than puppy age (4-5 months) then still get her in to class, but expect her to be more reserved.  She will be happier with you if you have a way to communicate with her.  By the way, few pups "come" once they reach older puppy hood, unless they are properly trained to come.  Earlier than that, it's just the puppy following reflex at work.  Aussies, left to their own devices, like to weave and gather, and stand a little away from what they are watching sometimes, so it's essential to teach a good recall, even though most of them are "velcro" dogs with their chosen family.  Leslie Nelson's "Really Reliable Recall" is the protocol I use, and it hasn't failed me yet, even with my non-Aussies;-)