Both Limoncello and Margarita did very well this weekend! Both gals ran 2 Novice runs, and both secured one qualifying Novice score toward their Novice title. The Novice level requires the dogs to find the tube containing the rat, complete a tunnel, and have all-fours up on a hay bale (in no particular order) within two minutes. Cello and Rita will need two more qualifying scores to earn their Novice title.
Margarita
Instinct Run: Qualified! 13.53 seconds (new Personal Best!)
*For those of you wondering why we participated at the Instinct level when Rita is already titled at this level, you are allowed to still do an Instinct run to get your pup warmed up as long as the dog has not titled in Novice.
Novice Run 1:Qualified! 1:44.71 seconds
Novice Run 2:Rita completed the tunnel, and before she could attempt the hay bale climb, Jenny jumped-the-gun and called the wrong
location of the rat.
Rita’s First Qualifying Novice Score Ribbon!
Limoncello
Instinct Run: Brian called the wrong location of the rat.
*For those of you wondering why we participated at the Instinct level when Cello is already titled at this level, you are allowed to still do an Instinct run to get your pup warmed up as long as the dog has not titled in Novice.
Novice Run 1: Qualified! 1:50.82 seconds
Novice Run 2:Cello executed the tunnel and the hay bale climb, but Brian called the wrong location of the rat.
Brian and Cello in Novice Run 2:
Cello’s First Qualifying Novice Score Ribbon!
Overall, we had a fun day, and enjoyed Barn Hunt with our two little gals!
We attended our first official Barn Hunt trial at Tail Waggin’ Events! If you are unsure of what Barn Hunt is, click HERE to read all about it!
Saturday:
Margarita had shown great interest in this sport up until the extreme heat wave set in. She does not do well in the heat, and we are unsure if the extreme temperature is the cause, but she seems to have lost interest in Barn Hunt. We had been practicing for a couple of weeks – both at barn facilities, and at home. Rita had been actively finding the rat and enthusiastically signaling the location, and had learned “up!” as the command to jump up on to a hay bale, and “tunnel!” as the command to go through the hay bale tunnel. She was executing all those elements over the past couple of weeks, but appeared uninterested at the trial. We will continue to bring her to practices, as well as sign her up for trials through the Fall and next Spring to see if the cooler weather helps spark her interest again. Despite her nonchalant attitude, and her Mama’s lack of skills in reading when Rita picked up the rat scent, Rita did pretty well, earning her Instinct Title!
Instinct Test: PASS!Time: 49 seconds
Rita’s Instinct qualifying ribbon
Novice Class: Timed out
Rita pretty much shut down in the heat of the day, and wasn’t very cooperative in the barn ring. She did give indication that she found the rat (which I missed completely…something I definitely have to improve upon if we continue to participate in this sport!) and would not complete the hay bale climb or tunnel.
Rita is now Instinct titled in Barn Hunt!
Sunday:
We decided to make Sunday a “Girls’ Day,” and bring Limoncello along to participate in Barn Hunt!
Margarita
Margarita showed NO interest again today!
Novice Class: Disqualified!
Margarita again would not execute the hay bale climb or the tunnel in her Sunday Novice run. She did find the rat (and Jenny was able to identify Rita’s barely-there-signal!), however, Rita then immediately peed in the barn (oops!), which according to Barn Hunt rules is a disqualification.
Limoncello
Cello had never even practiced before today, yet passed her Instinct test in just a few seconds, and did really well in her Novice run!
Instinct Test: PASS!Time: 17 seconds
Limoncello’s Instinct qualifying ribbon
Novice Class: Fail: Brian called incorrect location of rat
Limoncello completing the hay bale climb and tunnel requirements:
Limoncello hunting for the rat:
Overall, it was a very fun day learning more about Barn Hunt, and how to read Rita and Cello’s instinctive hunting behaviors!
As we are trying to acclimate Margarita to the water, we began to discover her focus was on chipmunks running in our yard, rather than learning how to swim. After seeing a few of Margarita’s chipmunk-hunting videos, a few dock diving friends, as well as some of our Instagram and Facebook followers suggested that we try Barn Huntwith Rita. Until that point, I had never heard of this sport! So I decided to research what it was all about, and how to get Margarita involved.
So What is Barn Hunt, Anyway?
Barn Hunt is a timed event that tests your dog’s hunting and marking ability in a barn-like setting, around bales of hay. Climbing and tunneling skills are also incorporated, as is your ability to work as a team with your pup. An important skill of the handler is the ability to identify when your dog is marking the find (rat). Some dogs signal by flicking their head, pointing, or pawing and barking at the found rat.
The Rats
Have no fear – the rats are never harmed. The dogs locate rats who are safely enclosed in aerated tubes that are built to be tough enough for dogs to be unable to crush or even get a tooth into. The tubes are also large enough for rats to be able to turn around, and they are kept on bedding so they are comfortable. The rats are people’s personal pets who are used to living and interacting with dogs. The rats often spend their time grooming themselves, or even sleeping in the tubes. Rat care and safety is of great importance to the sport. Rat care guidelines were developed with assistance from well-qualified sources who have spent decades studying, housing, and caring for rats.
There are certain dogs, such as Jack Russell Terriers and Cairn Terriers, that were initially bred to go underground to pull prey from their dens. Wild rats were found to spread diseases such as leptospirosis, and often ruined homes and crops, so other breeds, such as Rat Terriers and Miniature Pinschers, were bred for above ground pest elimination. These rat catching dogs would be taken to farms and to fid the area of the rats. These dogs were also used in World War I to help control the rats in the trenches, since they posed angers to the troops. Even more breeds such as Australian Shepherds and Border Collies handle rodent removal as part of their job around the farm.
How Barn Hunt came about
Barn Hunt evolved into a sport because of one dog – a Miniature Pinscher named Zipper. I was thrilled to read this, as Brian and I had two Miniature Pinschers, Dante and Cleopatra, who we love and miss dearly. Zipper’s owner, Robin Nuttall, was very curious about what the Min Pin was bred for. In her search, she discovered that Min Pins were bred to hunt mice and rats in their owner’s home. But at that time, Min Pins were not accepted into AKC Earthdog competitions, which are restricted by breed, and created to offer breeders and owners of small terriers a systematic guide to measure their dogs’ natural talent as well as their instinctive hunting and working behaviors when presented with an underground hunting condition. Zipper displayed great interest and ability in what he was bred to do, so Robin started working on trying to get the Miniature Pinscher breed accepted in to the AKC Earthdog competitions. However, she ran into some issues. Robin knew that there were informal Barn Hunt-type fun events happening at some of the Earthdog events, but those were mostly open to only Earthdog breeds, were rare, and difficult to find. Robin decided to write a set of rules for a national, titling, progressive sport. And though the sport was originally created for the real work of vermin hunting breeds, the sport now welcomes any and all dogs of any size, breed, or mix who can fit through an 18 inch-wide bale-height tunnel. As of September 1, 2014, Min Pins are now allowed in AKC Earthdog events! However, If Min Pins had been accepted in Earthdog when Robin got her beloved Min Pin, Zipper, Barn Hunt would not exist as a sport!!
Robin Nuttall (picture from barnhunt.com)
Barn Hunt Today
Today some consider Barn Hunt to be the fastest growing dog sport in the United States. The popularity of the sport has escalated with dogs and their humans having so much fun. Barn Hunt encourages everyone from seasoned dog sport competitors to people who have never even been to a dog show before to take part in this great sport. Barn Hunt titles are also now recognized by both the AKC and UKC.
If your dog enjoys investigating and sniffing around your home, they would most likely like to barn Hunt! You are your pup will start off with an Instinct Test. The beginning level is the Rat Instinct Class (RATI). One passing leg is required to obtain a title. There are three tubes placed in plain sight on the course, one dry, one with bedding from the rat’s cage, and one with both bedding and a rat. This is an optional class for dogs without an Instinct pass, and for dogs without a Novice title to use as a warm up. Time allowed is one minute and before time is called handler must have declared which tube has the rat based on the dog’s indication. There is a tunnel on the course but the dog is not required to go through it or climb on the hay bales at this level. If your dog correctly identifies the canister with the rat, you and your pup are ready to try the Novice level.
Picture from westieclubamerica.com
Novice
To earn the Novice Barn Hunt title (RATN), three qualifying legs are required. In this level there is a start box and the dog must leave the box ahead of the handler. Time starts when the dog exits the start box.This course has 3 hidden tubes – one empty, one with bedding, and one with a rat. These are tucked into the nooks and crannies between or on top of the bales and covered so they are not apparent to the handler. Completions of all elements – tunnel, climb, find the rat – within 2 minutes – is required to pass this course. Time stops when those three elements have been accomplished.
The Open Barn Hunt class requires 3 passes to earn the RATO title. This course layout is more complex and has 5 tubes – one empty, two with bedding, two with rats. ‘Climb’ and ‘tunnel’ are also required as well as finding the 2 ‘live’ rat tubes. Course time: Two minutes, 30 seconds.
Senior
Senior Barn Hunt class requires 3 passes to earn the RATS title. The course contains 8 tubes – four with rats, three with soiled litter, one empty. Course time: Three minutes 30 seconds.
Master
Master Barn Hunt class requires 5 passes under at least 2 judges to earn the RATM title. There are 10 tubes – all contain soiled litter. One to five tubes will have rats. The handler declares to the judge when the dog has completed the search and indicated all rats on the course. Course time: 4 minutes, 30 seconds.
Where to Start
Visit Barn Hunt Association’s event page. Here, you will be able to choose a location to search, or view all events on a calendar. There is also a club listing where you will be able to find local clubs in your area. Also listed on the calendar are clinics on Barn Hunt. Taking Rita to a clinic was the first thing I did in order to learn about the rules, and to introduce Rita to hay bales and rats.
