NSDR Barnhunt 101

Barnhunt 101

Terminology

Key terms you should know

The Blind: the place where you wait with your dog for your turn. It’s against the rules to speak to others outside of your blind. You may bring treats and water into the blind and leave them outside of the ring.

Instinct: One tube is empty, one tube has litter and one tube has a live rat in it. See if your dog can locate the live rat.

Entering the Ring and Releasing the Dog

Dogs must run “naked,” without collar/leash/harness.

The dog must remain on leash until the gate is secure, after which it may be removed at any time. The collar/leash can be placed on the fence, in a provided basket, hook or similar, handed to a Rat Wrangler, Gate Steward or Leash Steward, or the handler may place on the ground.

Covered prong collars cannot be left on the ground. If the handler places a covered prong collar/leash on a fence and it falls into the ring, an NQ score will be assessed.

Collars/leashes cannot be tossed or thrown. I’m Alternatively, a collar/leash may be folded in a pocket so that it is not visible. The collar/ leash cannot be carried in a hand or handed to the Judge. If the handler places/drops the collar/leash on the floor/ ground it stays there for the duration of the run. If the dog returns to play with it, all regular rules apply (cannot touch dog until call rat, could be subject to Lack of Control)

Time starts when any part of the handler or dog exits the start box after the verbal instruction from the Judge (in the case of a very large dog, when any part of the dog previously contained in the box or any part of the handler leaves the start box).

Do not bowl or drop the dog to start. Bowling is pushing/shoving the dog forward during the release.

Disqualification

Dogs/handlers are immediately dismissed from the ring if:

a) The handler or dog takes any action in the ring which would result in that handler or dog written up for misconduct (dog aggression, handler aggression or unsportsmanlike behavior)

b) The handler curses in the ring.

c) The handler’s cell phone/smart device audibly alerts or rings inside the ring.

d) The dog eliminates in the ring.

e) The Judge notices a collar on the dog (may be shown a rat for praise and reward).

f) The handler leaves a prong collar on the ground.

g) The dog destroys the course or the tunnel

h) The Judge decides that in the interest of safety or for other substantial cause the team must be dismissed.