Working dogs just need a job to do! My most dearest dog was a Welsh Border Collie. I wanted to train him as a sheepdog but, because of my lack of spatiel awareness, confused him. Instead I taught him other things, bring the car keys, wait for the postman and bring in the post (even if we had no post, the postman would give him something to bring in!) find my wellies, anything to fill his days and keep him occupied. Some things he reasoned out for himself. My elder son smoked then and so did most of his friends and offered their cigarettes around. Taff would see a packet, pick them up and take them to each person in turn and, even if you didn't smoke you would have to pretend to take one out and give him back the packet to take to the next person.
WBF, your dear dog could learn these things if you can't bear to part with him. Good luck!