Australian Shepherd Plays Jenga Better Than Most Humans and It’s Downright Impressive

Do you enjoy playing games with your dog? Many of us play games like fetch, tug of war, and chase with our dogs, but our dogs can't always play human games with us even if we'd like them to. That why I was so surprised to watch this Australian Shepherd playing Jenga like a pro...it was totally unexpected!

My Aussie Gal posted the video on Friday, September 20th and it's set to the theme song from Mission Impossible. It shows the Aussie carefully and methodically removing a Jenga piece without knocking the whole thing over. She's got a whole lot more patience than I do!

This is pretty impressive, isn't it?! My Aussie Gal's talented Australian Shepherd is so smart and knows the importance of taking her time to get the job done! Commenter @Camilia G. pointed out, "She knows how to slow down when it's critical!" @Cher swooned, "Such a smart dog, patience and timing are impeccable!" @jajawide added, "The eyes of a focused dog. Like, "not quite there yet, hmmm, just a little bit more. Look, hooman, this is how you play it.""

Related: Australian Shepherd Breaks Down What It’s Really Like When a Dog ‘Gets a Human'

How Intelligent Are Australian Shepherds?

The Smart Canine reports that Aussies are intelligent dogs, "According to Stanley Coren, they’re the 42nd smartest dog breed for obedience & working intelligence. However, what makes them truly intelligent is their natural ability to herd. Being able to instinctively push and guide sheep in the intended direction requires a special type of intelligence that Australian Shepherds have."

Aussies can solve problems quickly and make decisions based on their surroundings. A to Z Animals says, "this trait stems from their history as working dogs on ranches, where they had to assess situations and take action to move livestock efficiently. This problem-solving ability makes them adaptable to various tasks and environments."

Aussies are fast learners that can learn new commands and tasks quickly. They're also a breed that enjoys training and learning, and able to learn many difficult commands.

Mental stimulation is very important for Aussies. They like to be challenged and to use their brains daily. Without it, they can start exhibiting destructive behaviors like excessive barking, digging holes, and chewing on furniture and other belongings. They may start showing signs of separation anxiety as well. If your Aussie starts exhibiting these behaviors, it's time for additional training and redirection. Because they are easy to train, they can also be taught what not to do.

I wish that this video was longer! I want to see the dog play Jenga again so we can see if this was a one-time thing or something that she does often. It would certainly be fun to be able to play with her!

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