More accurately, it's Blitz who smells a rat. He and I are training for and competing in a dog sport called barn hunt. Despite the name, no barn is required. But the dog is definitely on the hunt for a rat.
It's called barn hunt because the competition takes place in a barn-like setting, complete with a good supply of hay bales with one or more rats hidden safely among them.
That's right. The rats are completely safe. They aren't scurrying around with a barking, snarling dog and in hot pursuit. The furry little rodents are housed inside a sturdy tube and plenty of holes so they can breathe. Think of it as a large, heavy-duty PVC-type pipe. The rat tubes are hidden among the hay.
It's the dog's job to sniff out the rats and alert the owner when one is found. The dog might bark, paw at the hay and uncover the tube, pick the tube up in its mouth, or any other signal that says, "I found it!"
I could go on. But you've got the general idea.
Blitz is a very enthusiastic ratter. Standard Schnauzers were originally bred as all-purpose farm dogs used for ratting and other jobs. So, it's no surprise he's in his element.
At this point, obedience and rally don't seem to be his forte. But that's okay. As one dog trainer told me, the important thing is to have fun with your dog. And right now, for Blitz and I, barn hunt is where the fun is!
