I will be getting an ACD puppy the beginning of June and am trying to get as much info as I can before she arrives (I just ordered the 8weeks to 8 months DVD). I plan on crate training and already have the crate. I will be taking a week off work to help us all adjust to this new change and hopefully speed up the process of housebreaking since I will be able to take her out as often as needed. My main question is, since I work during the day (in a different town) the puppy will have to be outside while I am gone. I plan on either making or buying a fenced containment area for her (I have a huge yard). Will this be a problem? My yard is almost all shade. I have an 11 1/2 y.o. female ACD but they wont be left alone together. I have just never seen this addressed, what to do while your at work with a 9 week old puppy at home.

It's funny, my first reaction was "oh dear, poor puppy alone most of the day", then I remembered I use to work and had to do the exact same thing. My dogs were none the worse for it either!
If you have a trust worthy friend or relative who can peak in the the little guy every now and again while he is little, that might not be a bad idea; however, I wouldn't want that person to play with the pup, just check to make sure she is okie dokie.

I would most definitely have a fenced containment area as you mentioned because there is a lot a puppy can get into (and a lot that can get into a puppy) loose in your yard. I would put the crate in the area for the puppy to go in when she wants. Make sure she has enough water, and can't tip it out. Leave her some safe toys. A lot of people will take a giant kong toy and fill it with yogurt or peanut butter, freeze it, then give it to the pup right before they leave. Be sure she can't dig out or climb over and be sure your adult dog can't get into the pups enclosure. I think it would be a good idea if the pup and older dog can be next to each other - if the older dog doesn't have a problem with it.

My elderly father is home during the day, and he can/will check on her, so she wont "technically" be alone. Plus, she would get to watch the squirrels and birds. My older dog has been an "only dog" her whole life, and has free reign of the yard. She has a "cousin" across the drive, and has been around lots of neighborhood dogs her whole life. The only time she has ever been/shown aggression is when she was attacked by a dog (and its new friend) that had previously been her buddy, and that continued until the ex-buddy was put down for attacking other dogs and the new friend stopped coming around.

I am not worried about her (actually feel better khowing she will be in the yard to keep out baddies). They will be able to bond thru wire. I have done lots of dog sitting (at my house) and she just ignores any dog that is smaller than she is.

I have a co-worker who has a now 10 week old puppy that is in her kitchen ALL DAY. Needless to say, she is tired of cleaning up messes. I told her to set up an outside area, but she said her vet (and mine) said the puppy shouln't be left outside until he is 4 months old. I assume this has to do with vaccinations. If I know my yard is "parvo-free" than is there a risk to the puppy?

Is it possible the vet told your co-worker not to take the puppy outside of her environment in order to avoid exposure to others and the co-worker misinterpreted this to mean something even more constrictive? Either way, if I were you, I would double check with the vet - there could be something specific to your neck of the woods the vet is aware of.