What is the Open Class in Barn Hunt? After earning their Novice Titles, my sisters automatically moved up to the Open Class. Most of the time if you are entered in more trials at one level and you earn a title, you can move up to the next class for the rest of the trials. Madison was on fire all weekend, and really got into finding the rats at any level!
The Open Class has some new challenges for dogs. There are now two rats to be found in 2 1/2 minutes, plus climbing on a bale, and going through the tunnel, which is now longer, and an “L” shape, to get a qualifying run. Another challenge is that one rat must be hidden at ground level, and the other must be elevated. Mom forgot this, which cost Bailie a qualifying run her first try.
Madison had a chance to do two runs at the new level and qualified on both. She needs one more for her RATO Title. Bailie had three runs, and earned one qualifying run. They both placed on each of their qualifying runs too!
The video above is Bailie’s qualifying run, a friend took for us. Bailie did a really nice job, and you can see how she didn’t like having her “prize” removed from the ring! There are strict rules about rats which Mom must follow. Rat tubes can’t be roughed up too much by a dog. If the handler removes the tube, it must be kept level at all times. Dogs can’t “attack” rat wranglers. Mom prefers to gently hold my sisters back while someone else removes the tube if possible.
Madison sure has a blast racing around sniffing for rats! She too finds it a real shame the rat is taken away after she works so hard to find it. Another rule in Barn Hunt is you can’t touch your dog unless they just found the rat. It is hard to not grab Madison when she isn’t listening, but it is not allowed.
This photo was Madison right after her first Open Class run with her second place qualification. It looks like the rat crew will be taking a break for a couple months. They will now spend their time practicing for tracking, in the hope of getting into a test in May or June. We also all have a lot Nose Work Trials coming up in the next couple months. I’m sure they will continue to sniff out rats after their tracking break. With practice, they really seem to have learned the goal of the game, and they love it.
**Photo of Madison with rat tube was purchased from Cheetah Swift Photography for our use.**
wow to do all that in 2.5 minutes is challenge… but I know that you can make ratatouille from all that rats and that you will master the course with flying colors!!! it’s a great way to build a team between dog&handler, we love the idea of such barn hunts and we wish we would have them here too…
They always take the rat away when we find it, which is frustrating. Maybe one day I will get to keep on. It is a fun sport.
Congratulations, girls! It’s so fun watching a dog do what they love to do. I’m glad that you all had so much success!
We just love to work with our noses, and Mom loves sports where she has to depend on us, even though it can be really difficult for humans to do that.
WOW! That’s some pretty amazing rat hunting, bravo Sisters!
I think cats should get into this sport too. You kitties would love it.
Really cool to watch! Great post Emma. Your wild sisters are something else, aren’t they!? Have a good day, your doodle friend Dash
Great post – hope you have a fabulous week.
I’m so glad to see how much they enjoy the barn hunt. I think Delilah might too, so I’m going to be checking around. 🙂 Congrats to the girls for getting the job done!
It’s fun for them with all the smells and stuff. It’s getting more popular all the time around here.
That was so cute when Bailie protested them taking her rat away! I can see why your Mom might want to be able to touch Madison to encourage her to go the way she wants, but they did great without having to do that! Great job by all!
As with all dog sports, it is all about learning to work as a team. Mom can really see a difference between the way each of us work with her by our ages.
Oh Madison…you remind us of Rosy when she doesn’t want to listen…she puts on her “I can’t hear you” ears! We loved watching you both have so much fun!
xoxo,
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
Madison does enjoy doing her own thing, but she is getting better about listening as she grows up.
That looks like such a fun event. i am still hoping to get Pierre involved in Barn Hunt after we get settled down here. Madison looks absolutely gorgeous and Bailie always does!
Hopefully you will be able to get him into it. Mom and my sisters have a lot of fun it seems.
Way cool!!! GO Madison!!!
She is now the barn hunt princess around here!
Whoo hoo congrats great job!