German Shepherd ‘Invents' New Toy and Proves Just How Smart the Breed Is
When my dogs want to play, and I'm busy, they probably think I'm twiddling my thumbs (which I have and they don't). It never crosses their little minds that I work from home or might be busy, and it also never crosses their minds to play independently.
They're very lovable, but not very smart... Unlike this German Shepherd, who wanted to play but couldn't find a human to play with. Instead of hooting and hollering until she got the attention she wanted, she decided to take matters into her own paws:
@nicoleygraceee The work ethic is unmatched #germanshepherd#gsd#fyp#foryoupage#shepherd
Tchaikovsky "Dance of the Reed Flutes"(1257471) - kzy
Nicole Grace is one of the most devoted dog moms I've ever seen, so for her pup be playing by herself, she must have been really busy. Luckily for her, though, Roxy is a smart girl! Mom couldn't throw her ball at the moment, so she ended up creating her own toy!
Basically, she takes her tennis ball and drops it down the flatbed. Then, she races to get it before it hits the ground. That requires some serious skill! She has to know her angles, how long it takes to get there, and where it drops. Just mastering it would keep her busy for hours.
Related: German Shepherd Mama Protects Her Newborn Pups Like a Guardian Angel
Roxy remains locked in 24/7 on her various tasks, but they differ slightly sometimes. Whenever her mom is inside and on the couch, she's met with the realization that she has a herding dog and no sheep:
@nicoleygraceee 24/7 security #gsdoftiktok#gsd#tiktokdogs#fyp#tiktokdogs
original sound - Ian Asher
That's a big problem because, when you have a herding dog and no sheep, you become the sheep. A dog like Roxy is certainly not going to let anything get by her. German Shepherds take their jobs very seriously!
German Shepherd Are One of the Smartest Dog Breeds
German Shepherds are nearly too smart for their own good; they're so smart. Though they're super popular, this is not the kind of dog you want to mess with, especially if you're inexperienced with dogs.
If you're planning on getting a German Shepherd, you'll need a multi-pronged approach to keeping them satisfied and happy. That will include:
- Lots of exercise.
- Daily walks.
- Enrichment activities, like with treat dispensers or little "obstacle courses."
- Keeping up with their training.
Because they're so smart, German Shepherds will figure out where your weaknesses are very quickly, and they will definitely exploit them. You have to let them know you're in charge... Even if they invent something awesome!
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM.