Clever Australian Shepherd Is His Own Best Playmate During Rousing Game of Catch

Where there's a will, there's a way—at least for a dog on a mission. For one crafty Australian Shepherd, figuring out how to game the system of fetch to play only with himself is that mission, and he conquered it. Honestly, it's pretty genius!

If Dwayne Phillip Malak (@daddyduey) hadn't posted the impressive TikTok video, we might not have believed it! Watch how smart this good boy is!

In the 14-second clip, the spry Shepherd runs his blue ball up to the top of the deck stairs, drops it so it rolls off the edge, and quickly jaunts back down to run after it. He even does a victory lap once it's in his mouth again before doing the same thing all over again.

It's not this little guy's first time doing this, either. It seems he's been perfecting this game for a while as seen in another 3-minute video .

"Infinite playtime unlocked," one person wrote.

"That dog just DIY’d an automatic dog launcher," another joked.

"Ok, but does the dog think you’re the one throwing the ball and is enjoying playing with you?" one person asked, to which Dwayne replied, "Yes. His goal is to 'trick' me into kicking it off for him. He will not do it if I'm not standing there."

So basically, this is the smartest dog ever! What a good boy!

Related: Golden Retriever Caring for Deaf Australian Shepherd Brother Is a Beautiful Show of Sibling Bonds

Australian Shepherds Are High Energy Workers

If you've seen an Australian Shepherd in their element, you know how much energy these little cuties have. It's a lot and lasts through adulthood, sometimes into their senior years. This, combined with their high level of intelligence, is why PetMD highlights the importance of consistent exercise and mental stimulation for bubbly Shepherds .

This breed needs a solid outlet for their activity level, specifically because they're natural-born herders. As working dogs with a strong prey drive, their impulse to herd can be managed with a game of fetch or Frisbee to keep those instincts in line. Sometimes they're too smart for their own good and love chasing things such as moving objects (which can be dangerous), so make sure to practice good recall from an early age.

Because of their seemingly tireless stamina, Shepherds aren't for everyone! But if you're looking for a trainable, agile, working bee who's up for active adventures, these small pints bursting with personality make wonderful companions. And if they have a job to do, like herding, they'll be happy.

It's no surprise the Shepherd in the video taught himself to fetch by himself. It's the most Australian Shepherd thing he could ever do!