Herding dogs are going to herd, even when there are no sheep, cows or goats around.
One black-and-white Border Collie is winning hearts online after being caught carefully guiding a family of ducks across a yard like a seasoned farmhand.
In footage shared by @sawyer.hanna, the dog can be seen moving behind about a dozen ducklings and two adult ducks, gently circling from side to side to keep the group together.
Whenever one of the little ducklings starts falling behind, the Border Collie carefully moves closer and nudges the flock forward.
The ducks do not appear bothered by their four-legged helper. In fact, the adult ducks seem perfectly happy to let the dog handle traffic control.
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One commenter joked that the duck parents were probably thrilled to have some extra help keeping everyone organized.
Another viewer asked how long the dog would keep herding the ducks if nobody stopped her.
The creator explained that the Border Collie only keeps going until she gets the family safely to their duck shed, where they spend the night.
So this pup apparently has a real mission, and she seems to know exactly where everyone is supposed to go.
Viewers quickly filled the comments with jokes.
One person wrote that the dog was quite literally “getting all her ducks in a row.”
Another added, “No duckling left behind!”
The behavior is actually very natural for Border Collies.
Herding breeds were developed over generations to help farmers control and move livestock, which means many of them have an incredibly strong instinct to chase, circle and guide anything that moves.
According to Rover, herding dogs are not necessarily trying to be bossy when they follow, circle or gently nip at people or animals.
They are often simply acting on deeply ingrained instincts.
That is why some herding dogs will try to organize children, other pets or even family members around the house.
In this Border Collie’s case, she just happens to have found the perfect little flock.
And judging by how calmly the ducks follow along, they do not seem to mind the help one bit.