I took Rhys and Maggie (mom and dad's terrier mix) to their first barn hunt today! All and all it was really fun and went well.
Rhys's instinct test was first and I goofed it for him. He was so excited about the rats that I called too early. I ran Maggie in instinct next and learned my lesson. Called her correctly so she got her RATI.
Ran them both in Novice with no training and I am so proud. Rhys had a great systematic search, found his rats and I called correctly. He climbed bales but we ran out of time for the tunnel (I did spend some extra time praising him for the rats since it was his first time). The judge was awesome and helped me tunnel him after so he could start learning what to do.
Maggie was a little more wild but that's to be expected. She's mom and dad's pet and not terribly well-trained. But she found rats too! Gave really clear indications about the empty tube and the tube with litter in it.
Overall I'm very very pleased with the level of aptitude they both went in there with considering I've done NO prep at all for Barn Hunt
Rhys's instinct test was first and I goofed it for him. He was so excited about the rats that I called too early. I ran Maggie in instinct next and learned my lesson. Called her correctly so she got her RATI.
Ran them both in Novice with no training and I am so proud. Rhys had a great systematic search, found his rats and I called correctly. He climbed bales but we ran out of time for the tunnel (I did spend some extra time praising him for the rats since it was his first time). The judge was awesome and helped me tunnel him after so he could start learning what to do.
Maggie was a little more wild but that's to be expected. She's mom and dad's pet and not terribly well-trained. But she found rats too! Gave really clear indications about the empty tube and the tube with litter in it.
Overall I'm very very pleased with the level of aptitude they both went in there with considering I've done NO prep at all for Barn Hunt