My sisters each brought home a RATN Title (Rat Novice) in Barn Hunt this weekend. I thought they were going to give up the “naked sport” of rat hunting, but it appears they are getting good at it, and plan on continuing! Madison, especially, being just 19 months old really understands when it is time to work, and she is good!
Bailie has been working on her Novice Title since June of 2016, Madison since June of 2017. Mom gave up on the sport for a time, but then thought Madison should get to try it. Bailie and Madison set out to hunt rats again. I refuse to hunt rats. It is not a sport for me at all! It was decided that my sisters would take three practice classes prior to the trial. Mom said they needed to “get the concept” in order to make trialing worthwhile. Starting in mid-February, the three of them drove off to a dirty, smelly, horse arena on Sundays to practice rat hunting. Evidently, it paid off as they sure brought home plenty of ribbons, plus their RATN Titles.
In order to earn a leg towards a Novice Title, the dog must go through the tunnel, climb on a bale, and find the rat, all in two minutes or less. To earn the Novice Title, you need three legs. Going into the weekend, Bailie had two legs, and Madison one leg. There were two trials each day, so they each had four chances to get the legs they needed. If they titled, they are then allowed to move up to try for legs in the next level which is called Open.
Bailie was first up in the morning on Saturday. She did a super job, not only getting her Novice Title, but she got first in her class, and high in the trial! The short video shows how well she worked.
Little Madison needed two legs, and with Bailie off to a hot start, the pressure was on! Madison actually passed both of her runs in the two trials on Saturday, also earning her Novice Title! The video is of her first run of the day, she was having so much fun sniffing, and playing around!
Thank you to Twin Eyes Photography for the super cute photo of Madison finding the rat, and then turning around with all the straw on her face! This was the find where she actually earned her title. Madison placed third in class in her first trial, and first in class in her second trial. Not bad for a little one year old hound!
Bailie and Madison can be proud they seem to finally have figured out the secret to Barn Hunt. Hopefully, there will be more titles for them down the road! Stop by on Friday when we talk about their new trial level called Open.
Penny says
March 12, 2018 at 06:48These girls are something else! Congratulations to you both. Big sister, Emma, is very proud (although confused as to why you love this so much!
Emmadog says
March 12, 2018 at 10:35I am a real hunter, and don’t have time for senseless rats. There are plenty of wabbits in every day life to capture!
Brian Frum says
March 12, 2018 at 06:54WOW! That was very cool, congrats girls!!!
Emmadog says
March 12, 2018 at 10:36I bet you kitties would love being in the straw looking for rodents too!
easyweimaraner says
March 12, 2018 at 06:58congrats!!! and how nice Madison waited till your mom gave the sign to make ratatouille from that rats ;O)
Dashlilly says
March 12, 2018 at 07:42Great post! Great videos. Wow!! The crazy girls are pretty good at this stuff!! Thanks for sharing Emma. It was cool to read about their Rat hunting!! have a good day, your doodle friend Dash
Mary Hone says
March 12, 2018 at 10:12Excellent job!!! That is so great, and mom must be so proud.
BTW, I didn’t get an email today with your post.
Emmadog says
March 12, 2018 at 10:38Mom is super proud of the entire weekend, and it was super fun! We’ve had some blog issues, and this morning that email thing was one, but it should now be fixed. Hopefully everything is working again after a week of things popping up randomly. Thanks for letting us know.
Princess Leah says
March 12, 2018 at 10:18Well done!!!! Not only did you WIN those wonderful rosettes butt you had FUNS as well, sounds just pawfect to me
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Emmadog says
March 12, 2018 at 10:38My mom and sisters had a real blast over the weekend and were super successful. A good time all around!
Jan K says
March 12, 2018 at 11:25Look at all those ribbons! What a great job by both of your sisters, Emma. Best of all, it looked like everyone enjoyed it.
BTW, now I’m not getting email notifications for your posts! However, yours is not the only one, so it might be on my end. Not sure what is going on!
Emmadog says
March 13, 2018 at 05:07They all had a great weekend! I’ve been having some blog issues, but hopefully it is now fixed. You know how frustrating that is! Hopefully things will work sending out posts to emails today. Thanks for letting me know.
LLB in Our Backyard says
March 12, 2018 at 23:16WOW!! Congrats Bailie and Madison! We are so glad that they did so well and had so much fun!!
xoxo,
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
Emmadog says
March 13, 2018 at 05:08It was a great weekend. My sisters had a blast and Mom was so proud of them!
Ellen Shedlarz says
March 13, 2018 at 07:59So much fun to watch and now I understand what this is all about. Katie just searches big rats on the streets of New York.
Emmadog says
March 13, 2018 at 14:17Now that is scary and dangerous searching for Katie and the rats! My sisters try to get the tube to break as they want the rat, but no chance. Those rats are protected quite well. Glad you understand it all better.
M. K. Clinton says
March 13, 2018 at 09:41Con-rat-ulations! We are so proud of y’all. When Mom gets settled, she may contact you to learn how to train for Barn Hunts.
Emmadog says
March 13, 2018 at 14:19It’s weird to say my sisters are kind of rat experts now, but I think they are. I will stick with wabbits. If you ever want to know about it ask Mom.
Edie Chase says
March 13, 2018 at 13:04Congratulations!
Emmadog says
March 13, 2018 at 14:22Thank you.
Beth says
March 17, 2018 at 08:58Rye just started Barn Hunt, too! We’re planning to do a fun test in a couple weeks since our friend is in the process of getting her new facility approved for trials. Congrats to Bailie and Madison!
Emmadog says
March 18, 2018 at 06:19The weekend was awesome for Mom and my sisters. Until recently, there weren’t any classes or practice opportunities which made it super hard to pass even a leg, but with some practice, it made all the difference! Have fun with Rye!