Australian Shepherd Tries to Herd a Cat-and It Goes Exactly As You'd Expect
Herding is what Australian Shepherds were born to do, but this time, Boomer may have picked the wrong animal to try to herd. When he tries to round up LilAzzKikr, the barn Cat, it's pretty clear he's not taking orders from the dog.
@kaizenridge runs a family farm in New York full of rescue animals. Every morning, Boomer and his dad go for a walk to check on things, and on this particular day, LilAzzKikr tagged along. But when the cat decided he was done and turned back, Boomer wasn't having it. What happens next will absolutely crack you up.
@kaizenridge Herding Cats! It's not just an expression. Here Boomer the Australian Shepard herding dog is trying to get LilAzzKikr to head the right direction. #workingdog#cat#shepard#workingcat#farm
original sound - Kinda A Sheepshow
We had to laugh when @kaizenridge explained that Boomer takes his herding duties very seriously, but the barn cat clearly has other plans. As he joked in the caption, "Herding cats! It's not just an expression." Boomer proves in this video that it's nearly impossible!
Related: Barn Cat Has a 'Turkey Entourage' That Follows Him Everywhere
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Why Herding Dogs Try to "Herd" Other Animals (and Even People)
Herding breeds make it their mission to control movement, so they'll often try to herd anything that moves, including cats, kids, and even adults. My parents have an Australian Shepherd, and when the grandkids come over and start running around, he goes into full herding mode trying to keep track of everyone!
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), these hardwired instincts are incredibly useful for working dogs, but at home, they can be a little less helpful. Herding dogs may nip, push, stare, or bark to keep things "in line." And importantly, they're not doing it for attention or to misbehave; they're just following instincts that kick in when they see movement.
The AKC recommends teaching basic commands like "watch me" and "leave it" to help redirect your dog's attention.
It's also helpful to build self-control into playtime. Herding dogs love games like fetch and tug, but before throwing the ball or offering a toy, ask for a calm behavior like sitting or lying down. They explain that this reinforces good manners and helps them stay calm when those natural instincts kick in.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM.