A Dog's Job

I don't have to worry about gathering eggs anymore, because I've trained my dogs to collect them for me. It's a game we play. Dogs love to work, and it's always fun to teach them to help. My dogs fetch firewood and the mail, carry backpacks, and more, while also serving as faithful companions and guardians. For them, gathering eggs is a pleasant diversion.

Any dog beyond the playful puppy stage – seven or eight months – and large enough to comfortably handle an egg in its mouth can learn the game. If you're working with an older dog, you should check its teeth for decay or damage before starting any fetch-and-carry training.

I typically work with Bouviers, although I've taught