Australian Shepherd Demonstrates Impressive Skill and Strategy in Tense Game of Jenga

Australian Shepherds are, without question, among the brightest dogs. Their exceptional instincts, ability to multitask, and willingness to learn make them excel in almost any situation. While they may be experts at herding livestock or in agility competitions, this dog has another challenge she enjoys taking on.

This indoor game combines intelligence, physical ability, and situational awareness. While many people struggle to achieve this feat with fingers, this pup doesn’t even need her paws to complete the task.

Check out her unique and impressive abilities in this video from September 20:

It is almost frightening to think of how much intelligence it takes for a dog to remove a Jenga piece from the puzzle, and it’s not like she was taking one from the top. Mary’s dog Promise (@my_aussie_gal) went directly to the middle to select her piece. She seemed to understand that the purpose of the game was to remove one while keeping everything else intact. Talk about clever! She uses a combination of her tongue and nose to gently move the top and bottom of the tower. Careful to go slow, she gives the top another tiny push while locking her front teeth onto a piece of wood. Slowly but surely, she removes her piece with perfect precision. Woah! If the average dog has the intelligence of a three-year-old, it’s safe to say this girl might be on more of a college level. It’s a testament to the exceptional training she gets from her mom.

Related: Australian Shepherd 'Splits the Housework' with Mom Like the Most Dutiful Little Helper

What Makes Australian Shepherds So Smart?

Bred to herd livestock, Australian Shepherds have solid instincts for understanding commands and interpreting subtle cues from their people, which they use to manage and guide farm animals. Besides their incredible problem-solving abilities, they have a drive that makes them willing to learn new things. In addition to their diverse skills, which help them excel at agility and puzzles, they are emotionally intelligent and can sense when humans need support and comfort. The combination of these abilities makes them a truly remarkable breed.

People were amazed by this Aussie game player’s skill. Viewer @the_constitutional_humanist responded, “The fact that she knew the game’s purpose is mind-blowing. She is truly special.” She is! Viewer @carol.mccomb remarked, “Licking the Jenga piece before she removes it has got to be one of the cutest doggie things I’ve ever seen.” It’s a move only a pup could get away with. Viewer @krimson_haze pointed out, “The little side eye when she knows she has it.” That confirmed she knew what she was doing.

Though this dog is undoubtedly brilliant, her mom also deserves equal credit. These intelligent ladies make a remarkable team that sets a new benchmark for pet parents.