Somewhat similar-ish to the dogs in heat question.
I won't ever waste money on the sport of Barn Hunt again simply because I have a boy who, yes, likes to mark his territory when we're outside, in an outdoor environment, where other dogs have been. I don't think that's completely abnormal. And it was a complete waste of my $$$ after I realized he would always choose to do this first before finding a rat (well, we got through the instinct test, that was it). But it's kind of a shame because it is something I would likely do again if it wasn't for that.
Earthdog doesn't DQ your dog for lifting leg in the ring. A dog that was REALLY hunting in a real barn would likely lift it's leg. It doesn't mean they're not a good working dog.
And for how much trouble it seemed to be, I CONSTANTLY heard "nononononoNO!" to people with their boy dogs in barn hunt and clapping and more worried about preventing a leg lift than actually focusing on the hunt. And then everyone would freak out and clean the spot off so the next dog hopefully wouldn't smell it. Wouldn't it just be easier to allow it and not worry about it... they are dogs after all?
I won't ever waste money on the sport of Barn Hunt again simply because I have a boy who, yes, likes to mark his territory when we're outside, in an outdoor environment, where other dogs have been. I don't think that's completely abnormal. And it was a complete waste of my $$$ after I realized he would always choose to do this first before finding a rat (well, we got through the instinct test, that was it). But it's kind of a shame because it is something I would likely do again if it wasn't for that.
Earthdog doesn't DQ your dog for lifting leg in the ring. A dog that was REALLY hunting in a real barn would likely lift it's leg. It doesn't mean they're not a good working dog.
And for how much trouble it seemed to be, I CONSTANTLY heard "nononononoNO!" to people with their boy dogs in barn hunt and clapping and more worried about preventing a leg lift than actually focusing on the hunt. And then everyone would freak out and clean the spot off so the next dog hopefully wouldn't smell it. Wouldn't it just be easier to allow it and not worry about it... they are dogs after all?