Stray puppy

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  My son brought home a puppy from the woods.  I took the puppy to the vet this morning and found out he is an Australian shepherd/heeler mix.  They said he was about 10 weeks old and 10 pounds.  I already have a dog at home and would love to adopt this one to a good home but I want to make sure I can tell people about his temperament, etc.  Please tell me everything you can about this breed.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Both breeds were developed to work cattle, so they are resilient, tough little dogs as a rule.  They are also incredibly smart, and if you don't find a job for them, they may create their own.  They excel at agility, freestyle, tricks, and nose work.  Because they also have guarding tendencies, they need to be extensively socialized as puppies, so it's good that you found him this early.  He should be meeting all kinds of people, including men, kids, and people in uniform, baseball hats, sunglasses, etc.  He should also be playing with other puppies, off leash, asap, and on an ongoing basis until adulthood - I take mine for play no later than 12 weeks of age - so if you can afford to take him to a good puppy class, that would be terrific.  Aussies need mental as well as physical exercise - you basically can't tire them out lol, unless you engage them to problem solve.  That's why they do so well with clicker training.  They do NOT do well with physical punishments or harshness, although you may occasionally have to raise your voice just a tad if they are really focused on something you want to divert their attention from. These are affectionate dogs that don't do well separated from the family, so should live indoors despite their wash and wear coats and willingness to go out in the weather with you.  There's an old saying, "I asked God for a friend, and He sent me an Australian Shepherd."  That's the best description of the breed I can think of.  They are true friends, and want to spend time with you, not be segregated in kennels or crates for long periods of time.  They need to be taught not to herd inappropriate things (children or your cats, for example), but if you teach "leave it" early, and a good recall, they can be safe around such distractions.  If you aren't near a clicker trainer, go to www.clickerlessons.com to get the pup started, and take a look at Kikopup's YouTube channel (her Aussie, Flash, is amazing). Good luck, and I hope you can resist keeping him, but it will be hard:-)))

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I need some help.  I'm having a very difficult time making a decision about this pup.  I have become very attached to this puppy in just two days.  He seems to be great with my boys, ages 7 and 5.  I want this pup to be happy and well cared for.  We live in a subdivision on an acre lot.  Our backyard is close to 1/2 an acre.  I work and so does my husband so we would not be able to spend time with this puppy during the day.  My mother is there some but I don't think she'll be reliable to train this puppy.  We do have a doggy door for my 11 year old dog and I know the new puppy could be trained to use it.  He already seems very smart.  He was very skittish when he came to us Sunday but is warming up to us quickly.  I put him on a leash to go outside because he still backs away from me when I walk toward him.  When we let him out in the backyard on Sunday when he arrived, he found a place under my wood fence and went into a wooded lot next door.  We had to walk through briars, etc. to get to him and pulled him out from under a pile of brush.  Understandably, he's still scared and doesn't know if he should trust us.  I am open to keeping this pup but want to make sure our family works for him.  Since my children are young, they will be involved in sports, etc.  We are not gone a lot in the evenings but will be gone some.  I cannot walk the dog daily but he will have ample space in the backyard to run (nothing like a farm though).  There is a lady I work with who already has five dogs.  She said she would love to take him but when he got bigger, she would have to put him outside to keep her other dog company.  Four of the five stay inside and she said she just can't have another inside.  She has shelter for them and will give them love, shots, etc.  Her backyard is not as big as mine and I don't believe she will be walking him daily either.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Thank you for your time.  

Answer
I think if you have the resources to take the pup to classes, and you keep up with his socialization and training, there's no reason not to keep him if you like him, especially since he seems good with young kids.  I can't choose for you, but I don't think the lady with five dogs would be providing as good a home as you would, given that you have a bond with him - that alone will keep him from becoming just another unhappy outdoor dog.