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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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A Border Collie has impressed the internet with the lengths he went to retrieve his beloved ball.
The dog's owner, who uses the social media handle @milothecollie5, shared a TikTok video showing the moment the red ball rolled off a promenade and into the sea.
Undeterred, the determined dog ran down to the beach, dove into the water, and swam out to retrieve his toy. The footage, which captures the incredible dedication and intelligence of the dog, has racked up over 2.2 million views and 326,400 likes on TikTok.
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"If you don't give a Border Collie a job, they will create their own," the dog dad captioned the post.
The black and white dog expertly retrieves the ball. "That's far that," his owner says, moments before the dog embarks on his mission. He sprints down the street, charges across the sand, and leaps into the sea without hesitation. As he swims toward the floating ball, his owner can be heard encouraging him with gentle words, cheering him on as he returns to the same spot where the journey began.
Milo even responded to a subtle cue from his owner, slowing down when told: "take your time."
The border collie's heroic effort sparked admiration in the comments.
"Clever dog!! My cockapoo would have jumped through the railings," said Emma.
"My dog just ate a paper straw," joked another dog owner.
"What's so impressive on top of everything is not getting distracted when ANOTHER ball is thrown right next to him," shared another user.
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"No because you can actually see him chill out for a split second when you say take your time," said Samantha May.
"My sausage dog would just scream until I went and collected it myself," added Natalie.
"I literally saw a border collie walking with a girl the other day and it was weaving side to side while walking behind her, it looked like it was trying to herd her. They are so smart," said Maz.
"He listened to every word," shared one user.
Border collies are widely recognized as one of the most intelligent dog breeds. According to the American Kennel Club, they were originally bred to herd sheep in the hilly border country between Scotland and England, and are known for their extraordinary work ethic, energy, and trainability. These dogs thrive when given tasks and are happiest when mentally and physically stimulated.
Training dogs to retrieve, especially with consistency and focus like Milo demonstrated, involves patience, positive reinforcement, and gradual progression. The AKC recommends using treats or praise to reward dogs when they bring back an object, and gradually building the habit until it becomes second nature.
Swimming in the ocean, while fun for many dogs, also requires care. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and salt water can present risks if swallowed. According to Forever Vets, it's important to supervise pets, ensure they don't overexert themselves, and rinse off salt and sand after a dip.
Newsweek reached out to @milothecollie5 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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