Parade Pets and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.
There is something deeply hilarious about a farm moment that starts out normal and then slowly turns into a full-blown, cross-species life lesson. Because apparently, if you are an Australian Shepherd named Malibu, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone around you understands how to properly be a dog. Even if they are… not dogs. Even if they are tiny, fluffy, slightly confused emu chicks who didn’t ask for this kind of mentorship.
Just look at this How To Be a Dog lesson in action.
The video from @2guysandsomeland opens with Malibu doing what Australian Shepherds do best, which is taking a job that doesn’t exist and committing to it, anyway. The caption says it all: Malibu is teaching the “dinos” to also be dogs, and honestly, he takes that assignment very seriously. There’s no hesitation. No questioning whether this is possible. Just pure confidence.
Related: Maltipoo Turns Into a Tiny Ballerina When Asked If She Wants To Try Cucumber
What follows is one of those moments where you can feel your brain trying to process what you’re watching. Malibu demonstrates classic dog behavior; rolling over in the grass like this is the most obvious thing in the world. And then, somehow, one of the emu chicks decides to try it.
Try is the key word here.
Because the chick gives it everything. Full effort. Total commitment. And then physics steps in. Two very long legs, zero understanding of what is happening, and suddenly the whole thing turns into a slightly wobbly attempt that ends with the chick popping back up like nothing happened. Then he’s like, nope, no thanks, this move isn’t for me!
People in the comments were completely gone over this. One person wrote, “That’s prob the cutest thing I’ve seen today!” while another said, “Stop it! This is so adorable!” which feels accurate because there’s no defense against this level of wholesome chaos.
Someone else pointed out the obvious logistical issue, “Yeah… ya kinda need four legs to balance out the rolling on the back. I bet it feels too weird with only two long legs. But hey, they tried!” and that really is the entire situation. They tried. And Malibu, bless him, absolutely believes they can get there with enough practice.
Another comment said, “Oh my gosh, that is the absolute cutest thing I’ve seen all day. I love the dinos,” which… same. Fully same. At no point did anyone expect to watch an Australian Shepherd attempt to train emu chicks as if they were in some kind of tiny farm academy, and yet, here we are.
Do Emus Make Good Pets?
Emus are fascinating birds, but they’re not typical household pets and require a very specific environment to thrive. They are large, flightless birds that need plenty of space to roam, making them better suited to farms or large rural properties rather than suburban homes.
They can be social and curious, especially if raised around humans, but they are still wild animals at heart. Emus have strong legs and can kick with significant force, which means handling them requires experience and caution.
Caring for emus also involves specialized needs, including appropriate fencing, a proper diet, and access to outdoor space. They can live for many years, so bringing one into your life is a long-term commitment that goes far beyond typical pet parenthood.
While they can form bonds with people, they’re naturally inclined to behave like dogs or cats, no matter how convincing a very determined Australian Shepherd might be.
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.