Rubie in Barn Hunt
- Thread starter LifeofRubie
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Congratulations - what fun!!!
You can also enter Crazy 8s in the same trial. You need to find at least one rat for the points to count. You're allowed one mistaken rat call (FAULT) for a 20 point deduction. If you don't do the CLIMB or the TUNNEL, each of those are also a 20 point deduction. I recommend it because you need ring time as a new handler.
Robin posted on Facebook that one of the WuFlu titling rules exceptions is revoked because there's more trials. I hope we got back to normal soon!
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LifeofRubie
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Oh, I wasn't aware there were exceptions for titling during Covid?
Our trainer cautioned us eager newbies about jumping in to Crazy 8s... Something about the number can be really overwhelming for new dogs? I could see that with Rubie! If we did a run with 8 rats laying around and then went back to a boring Open run, there's a chance she'd blow me off when I tell her to Tunnel
Senior seems like a BIG jump from Open so I'm in no hurry. Apparently the Ribbons at the location we trialed at this weekend are pretty underwhelming, as well. If we get a Q or 2 next time, then our potential 3rd Open Q could come on "home turf" and they have excellent ribbons so that's a bit of motivated for ME to get my act together in the ring!
Oh, it was so awesome! Rubie was so pleased with herself and did her tippity tappity toes all the way out of the building!
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There were so few trials, the requirement that a dog qualifies for Master under two different judges was waived. AJ qualified under two different judges anyway, so I'm glad there's no mental asterisk in my mind.Oh, I wasn't aware there were exceptions for titling during Covid?
Our trainer cautioned us eager newbies about jumping in to Crazy 8s... Something about the number can be really overwhelming for new dogs? I could see that with Rubie! If we did a run with 8 rats laying around and then went back to a boring Open run, there's a chance she'd blow me off when I tell her to Tunnel
My trainer is just the opposite and encourages all her students to do Crazy 8s unless a team has a specific issue that Crazy 8s will not help. Students can earn points and those in the lower classes are exposed to the Senior tunnel, but it's not an NQ if they don't take it. If your dog is a real ratter, it can be rewarding to her to find all those rats. I recommend asking her if you're ready for Crazy 8s.
LifeofRubie
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I never heard of it. Please tell me more. A couple people I train with want to start practicing together and this may be something we could do.
My wife is very tolerant of me and lets me bring home all sorts of critters, but rats is at the top of the forbidden list!
Update - I found it on DuckDuckGo after I scrolled past all the computer games. It looks fun, but I don't see it offered in my area. I'll bring it up with my teacher and see if that's something we can do. Thanks for the heads up and please post your experiences if you do it.
LifeofRubie
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Oh, excellent!! So basically, the dude who started it (from what I've been told) took the Barn Hunt Rules and started his own operation. Got super sued, and low and behold, changed the name and some of rules and started Rat Games!
Games
(Review our rulebook for more specifics and titling requirements!)Heads Or Tails
- Work your dog at a distance with limited rats on course. The course is divided into 2 halves with cones. The course map is marked with heads on one side and tails on the other. A coin is flipped to determine which side the handler is on. The other side is a distance challenge which the handler can not cross unless RAT is called. Normal RAT removal rules apply, except once the tube is handed off the competitor must go to the original side chosen.
Speed
- In this game you learn how to handle stress by focusing on finding 4-10 rats within 30 seconds or less for each rat and clearing the course.
Pairs
- Teamwork – it’s a beautiful thing to behold. Two people, two dogs and 4 minute to find 4 rats, sound easy enough? Not as easy as you think with added distractions in the ring!
Tunnels
- Is the tunnel your dog’s strong suit? Then this game is for you! In this game, there will be as many as 8 tunnel opportunities, using only a few rats.
Hurdlers
- Versatility plus! Hurdles, rats and recall, oh my! This is a points game running head to head or single at the discretion of the club. Best out of three.
Mad Hatter
- Have we gone mad!? Ten rats on course is a doggie smorgasbord and totally fun for the dog! Have fun and find rats!
Bet The Farm
- This is a points game based on speed and similar to Mad Hatter with a twist! You don’t know the number of rats on course and you must call finish when course is clear of rats.
Distance
- Does your dog work well away from you? This game requires your dog to work the course while you are entirely stuck behind a distance line! (Regular rat removal rules apply.)
Me First
- This is a head-to-head competition where 2 dogs run in a ring split in half. The first dog to identify the rat wins. This is played as a single elimination, double elimination, or round robin tournament.
Courses are similar in design it sounds like. They also have this option:
Veteran’s Division
- The Veteran’s division is for the older dogs that can no longer climb structures or tunnel. All hides are on ground level or 1 level up (with the intent of the dog not having to climb). The tunnel is not required. A Veteran’s division shall be offered for each Courses, in each Trial, except the Beginner Course.
Registration is $25 and it's $15/game at our facility. It looks like they set it up so it's 2 games/day across 3 weeks. Not quite sure yet about how titling works but I'll give it a try and let you know!
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I was thinking how similar they are. I have a feeling this will be radioactive in my area. You got me curious, so I'll ask around at the next class.
LifeofRubie
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Oh, for sure sketchy the way it was developed but if it's another option to get us in the ring between trials, I'll give it a try!
LifeofRubie
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Got a video of one of our class runs, last night! The first minute and thirty seconds are really fun (so feel free to quit there!) but we could NOT find that third rat! This was her third hunt of the night and coming off a very busy weekend so she's not 100% BUT she kept at it and didn't give up.
I actually really like this run because she's clearing areas which will become very important when/if we get to Masters level. I need to learn to keep her moving when she's cleared an area (you can hear our trainer encouraging us to look elsewhere).
I actually really like this run because she's clearing areas which will become very important when/if we get to Masters level. I need to learn to keep her moving when she's cleared an area (you can hear our trainer encouraging us to look elsewhere).
LifeofRubie
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FINALLY! An Open Q! Unfortunately we couldn't stick around to collect our ribbons but they had a cute set up for pictures
Our first run didn't go very well. Rubie tunneled and climbed but didn't even attempt to hunt for rats so we timed out. Second run, we celebrated a LOT for her first rat so she was pumped to find a second. Not sure how we placed since we left but I'm happy with a Q!
It's been a rough few days for dogs we know. Someone from our training class's GSD is not doing well seemingly overnight. They're waiting for an MRI but they're worried it's a tumor on the spine.
Then yesterday, before we left for the trial, we were within a block of our house, headed back after a nice walk through the neighborhood when our neighbors boxer appeared out of no where and got hit by a car
we heard a thud, a Yelp, and he took off back toward the direction he came from. I didn't see his family so Rubie and I took off running to catch him all while I'm yelling MICKY MICKY STAY STAY. He took a tumble as he was running but thankfully the family was running toward him from the other direction and got him. His front leg was a noodle and definitely broken. Their two young daughters were crying, the guy driving the car for out and was standing there with his hands on his head. Mom had a cool head and ran back to the house to get the car. Ugh, I feel so bad for them. Of all the dogs that run around off leash in our neighborhood, this dog is not one of them. He just got out or got loose or something and ran the wrong direction.
I was pretty shaken up after seeing that so I'm sure Rubie was working off my vibe. Felt so silly looking for rats when another family's dog just went through something so traumatic but a friend told me that that was even more reason to do something my dog and I love to do.
Our first run didn't go very well. Rubie tunneled and climbed but didn't even attempt to hunt for rats so we timed out. Second run, we celebrated a LOT for her first rat so she was pumped to find a second. Not sure how we placed since we left but I'm happy with a Q!
It's been a rough few days for dogs we know. Someone from our training class's GSD is not doing well seemingly overnight. They're waiting for an MRI but they're worried it's a tumor on the spine.
Then yesterday, before we left for the trial, we were within a block of our house, headed back after a nice walk through the neighborhood when our neighbors boxer appeared out of no where and got hit by a car
we heard a thud, a Yelp, and he took off back toward the direction he came from. I didn't see his family so Rubie and I took off running to catch him all while I'm yelling MICKY MICKY STAY STAY. He took a tumble as he was running but thankfully the family was running toward him from the other direction and got him. His front leg was a noodle and definitely broken. Their two young daughters were crying, the guy driving the car for out and was standing there with his hands on his head. Mom had a cool head and ran back to the house to get the car. Ugh, I feel so bad for them. Of all the dogs that run around off leash in our neighborhood, this dog is not one of them. He just got out or got loose or something and ran the wrong direction.I was pretty shaken up after seeing that so I'm sure Rubie was working off my vibe. Felt so silly looking for rats when another family's dog just went through something so traumatic but a friend told me that that was even more reason to do something my dog and I love to do.
LifeofRubie
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Have not personally confirmed but heard the neighbors boxer was home and in a cast today!
LifeofRubie
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It was the worst thing I've ever seen.
I did see Mickey and his owner out front today so I went over to chat. He was in a cast but it was just temporary until they see a specialist. He'll need surgery with pins and all that jazz. Poor guy
Sounds like the girls are mostly ok. Their younger one doesn't quite understand what happened or that it could've been much worse but their older girl was up first thing Sunday morning, bed made, outfit picked out, and waiting for breakfast by like 6am so they could go pick him up. I mean... 
LifeofRubie
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Dingo squeaked out another Open Q today!
Was hoping for 2 Qs since we were on home turf with a lot of classmates watching but Rubie had other plans
We timed out on our first run but I still haven't called a wrong tube! I got close to calling something because I knew we were getting close on time but I didn't (I would've been right but still).
Was hoping for 2 Qs since we were on home turf with a lot of classmates watching but Rubie had other plans
We timed out on our first run but I still haven't called a wrong tube! I got close to calling something because I knew we were getting close on time but I didn't (I would've been right but still).
Grats on the Q!!! Seems like she loves it! Nice on not calling a wrong tube. I called rat on a litter tube today in my first run lol. In my defense, she was working it hard so I was at the crossroads of calling rat rather than break rules by letting her overwork it. 5 other dogs in our run hit the same tube! It's ok though if/when it happens. Can't succeed and grow without a bit of failure 
LifeofRubie
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Grats on the Q!!! Seems like she loves it! Nice on not calling a wrong tube. I called rat on a litter tube today in my first run lol. In my defense, she was working it hard so I was at the crossroads of calling rat rather than break rules by letting her overwork it. 5 other dogs in our run hit the same tube! It's ok though if/when it happens. Can't succeed and grow without a bit of failure
I've been told that and saw it in our last trial! Several dogs in a row NQing because of a litter tube. It seems like once one dog messes with it, then another, it becomes much more interesting to the next and the next dog. Very frustrating!
Just heard our friend from class got their first Masters Q and even a high in class!!!
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Congratulations!!! I just saw Robin is taking a week off. BHA is a month behind on posting results.
LifeofRubie
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Well...
We entered a TINY trial yesterday. There were 4 dogs total in Open. Not 4 blinds... 4 DOGS. Spent almost 3 hours in the car round trip and was on-site for about 45 minutes total. But hey, I was home before 10:15am!!
We timed out on our first run which has been Rubie's M.O. Find one rat, tunnel, climb, time out.
I think I was so eager to get our 3rd Open Q that when she pawed a tube in our second run, I called RAT. Pawing a tube is not her (typical) indicator
Left empty handed and me calling my first wrong tube in trial.
I don't think any of the other dogs in Open Qed across either run. It was hot even though it was early and none of the dogs seemed particularly ramped up. The other 3 ladies were talking while we were in the blind and it sounds like they've all been in Open Purgatory for a while.
I'm sort of thinking we won't get very far in Senior (if we ever get there hahahahaha). Timing out in Open gives me little hope we can work fast enough in Senior. I've already sent premiums in for two upcoming barn hunts but that may be it for Rubie! She's getting into the same mindset that she got into in Agility. Training is fun for her, trialing is a struggle. Unfortunately, I can't justify spending all that time and money on either if we're not going to progress.
We entered a TINY trial yesterday. There were 4 dogs total in Open. Not 4 blinds... 4 DOGS. Spent almost 3 hours in the car round trip and was on-site for about 45 minutes total. But hey, I was home before 10:15am!!
We timed out on our first run which has been Rubie's M.O. Find one rat, tunnel, climb, time out.
I think I was so eager to get our 3rd Open Q that when she pawed a tube in our second run, I called RAT. Pawing a tube is not her (typical) indicator
Left empty handed and me calling my first wrong tube in trial.I don't think any of the other dogs in Open Qed across either run. It was hot even though it was early and none of the dogs seemed particularly ramped up. The other 3 ladies were talking while we were in the blind and it sounds like they've all been in Open Purgatory for a while.
I'm sort of thinking we won't get very far in Senior (if we ever get there hahahahaha). Timing out in Open gives me little hope we can work fast enough in Senior. I've already sent premiums in for two upcoming barn hunts but that may be it for Rubie! She's getting into the same mindset that she got into in Agility. Training is fun for her, trialing is a struggle. Unfortunately, I can't justify spending all that time and money on either if we're not going to progress.
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