r/redheeler

Just wanted to share my best friend.

What does “give them a job” actually mean for an Australian Cattle Dog

I’ve heard this advice constantly, but I’m not sure what it looks like in real life.

Does it mean something as specific and occasional as my old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who would walk with me to the mailbox and then “deliver” the mail to everyone in the house? Or more like my uncle’s dog who learned to pull beers out of the fridge on command?

I work from home and am self-employed, so Winifred’s main job right now is simply being my all-day, go-everywhere companion.

She’ll also be trained to work livestock, but we’re a hobby farm — not a large operation where she’d be needed all day every day.

Am I overthinking this? What actual jobs do your ACDs have?

Everyday tasks, farm work, household jobs, sports, whatever it is — I’d love to hear the range of what “having a job” looks like in real households. Sharing ideas helps all of us.

My sweet child Kara has a interesting pattern on her face, unlike anything I’ve seen.