Where there’s a will, there’s a way — at least when it comes to dogs on a mission. For one cunning Australian Shepherd, finding a way to manipulate the fetch system to control only him was his mission, and he overcame it. Honestly, that’s pretty genius!
We might not have believed it if Dwayne Phillip Malak (@daddyduey) hadn’t posted this impressive TikTok video. Look at how smart this good boy is!
In the 14-second clip, an agile Shepard runs a blue ball up the deck steps, drops it and rolls off the edge, and immediately trots after it. He may even take a victory lap after putting it in his mouth again before repeating the same thing.
This little guy isn’t the first to do this either. It looks like he’s been perfecting this game for a while, as seen in another three-minute video.
One person wrote: “Unlocked endless playtime.”
“That dog made a DIY automatic dog launcher,” joked another.
“Okay, but does your dog think you’re throwing the ball and is he having fun playing with you?” someone asked, and Dwayne replied, “Yes, his purpose is to ‘ He wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t standing there.”
Basically, this is the smartest dog ever! What a good boy!
Related article: Golden retriever takes care of deaf Australian Shepherd sibling in beautiful show of sibling bond
Australian Shepherds are energetic workers
If you’ve ever seen an energetic Australian Shepherd, you’ll know how much energy this cute little dog has. It often continues into adulthood and sometimes into old age. This, combined with their high intelligence, is why PetMD emphasizes the importance of continued exercise and mental stimulation for playful shepherds.
This breed needs to be well represented in its activity level, especially since it is a natural pastoralist. Working dogs have a strong prey drive, so the urge to pack can be managed with games of fetch or Frisbee to keep the instinct alive. Sometimes they are too clever for their selfishness and love to chase moving objects, etc. (this can be dangerous). Therefore, make sure to practice memory skills from an early age.
With her seemingly tireless stamina, Shepherds aren’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for a trainable, agile worker bee with a penchant for active adventures, this little pint full of personality makes a great companion. And if they have a job to do, like herding, they will be happy.
No wonder the shepherd in the video taught himself how to fetch it himself. It’s the most Australian Shepherd thing he can ever do!