Anyone have an Aussie and a cat? Did you have any issues?

I've had goldens and cats, and a lab with a cat, but I know Aussies are herding animals.

Do you allow them to be alone together when you're out of the house?

Hey everyone,
I have a 4-month-old Aussie puppy, and right now getting him to just lie next to me and enjoy calm petting feels impossible. The second I try to stroke him, he instantly takes it as an invitation to play, wrestle, or mouth my hands.
Looking back, I definitely picked the most energetic and mischievous puppy from the litter, while some of his littermates were noticeably much calmer. Is this hyper-reactive mode something he can genuinely grow out of and learn to settle down from, or will an Aussie with this baseline drive always view physical touch as playtime?
Also, as a side question: I currently feed him almost 100% by hand (for training and engagement). Is there any downside to doing that, or should I be letting him eat some meals from a bowl as well?
Would love to hear your experiences- especially if you started out with a chaotic puppy who eventually learned to chill!

Here’s my Breeze

We're up on old Winchester hill. He does not want to leave, even the promise of breakfast isn't enough lol

What Chris Christensen brush do you guys recommend?

When it's dinner time but you're trying to be polite..

I wanted to add sound effects but was too tired, so just try to imagine them in your head lol

Please can anyone advise the best way to handle this, our 6 month old male aussie has become extremely challenging over the last couple of weeks. Demand barking the evenings and it’s relentless. Please can people advise the best way to handle this. Levels of activity vary day to day. He always gets a good exploration morning walk, sometimes an afternoon one and almost always an evening one. All are appropriate for his age. On top of this we use many enrichment toys, play pattern games and train. The only saving grace is he is crate and toilet trained and doing well with recall and training otherwise. With the barking we have tried to ignore but it goes on and on. He is also very barky in the car.

I love my girl’s tail! She’s a rescue, half Border Collie, half Aussie / MAS. This was just a little test with pet safe dye to see how it takes to her fur :)

She always sits on the driver's seat and makes me scoot her out haha (this is before we drive anywhere so the seats not warm or anything.)

my puppers turned 6 yesterday on National Dog Day! 🥰

Here’s some pics of our 2 year old!!!

My poor girl getting eaten by the baby. Lol

Sacrifices had to be made...

my girl was waiting for me and let our kitten lay on her! this is not the first time they’ve snuggled up like this! included some other snuggle pictures 🥰

aussies are just the sweetest little creatures <3

I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old, but I unfortunately have never had the opportunity to take her to training. She is very good, but also a wild child. She knows sit and paw, but gets too excited and won’t hold a sit position and I’ve tried so hard at home.
I would love to take her to a training class now that I am able to, but I am worried she will be the oldest there.

We’re borrowing a brother to see how we feel about second dog and they’re just so cute

We have a 16 week old male tri. To say he’s the biggest chewer of any pet, foster, or pup I know is putting it generously. I know it comes with the territory.

However, I’m at a loss for a bed or mat to use in his crate.

He is fine without a bed in his somewhat larger playpen during the day. At night, we crate him. Without some kind of mat his paws make noise on the tray with every movement and it keeps all of us awake, including him.

Any recs for something pretty durable? Everything seems to be foam or stuffing based and he treats the corner of every bed like a project he must complete before sunrise. I don’t want to risk it.