Judge Application & Exam

Applicant Information

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Background & Experience

What are your club affiliations?

What is your scentwork experience?

What is your judging experience?

What is your experience with Happy Ratters?

Do you trial a dog in Happy Ratters, or have you in the past?

Yes, I trial now Yes, in the past No, not yet

Please select an answer.

What do you like about Happy Ratters?

Why do you think you'd be a great judge?

Judge's Exam

Select the best answer unless otherwise noted. Questions marked "Select ALL that apply" use checkboxes and may have more than one answer. Short-answer questions should demonstrate both rule knowledge and practical judging judgment — write your answers in the boxes provided.

Revised August 2026. This version of the exam replaces all earlier ones.

1. Which pair of games has no faults allowed, with a false alert ending the game?

Dump Hunter and Ultimate Distance Rat Trap and Village Rats Earn A Rat and Infestation Box-A-Rat and Road Rage Rats

Please select an answer.

2. A handler holds a treat in front of the dog and uses it to guide the dog through a burrow. What is the appropriate penalty?

No penalty because food rewards are permitted 5-point fault 10-point fault for luring NQ

Please select an answer.

3. A dog enthusiastically shreds a cardboard box while searching. Under the general rules, how should this ordinarily be scored?

10-point fault for destruction Automatic NQ Shredding a box is not ordinarily faultable unless the handler is stalling while a rat is in the box Stop the timer and replace the box

Please select an answer.

4. What is a central challenge of Infestation?

The handler knows exactly how many rats are on the course The handler must determine when the dog has finished finding the unknown number of rats and call Clear The handler must remain seated throughout the search Each rat must be found from progressively greater distances

Please select an answer.

5. When placing a rat tube above floor or ground level, which is the MOST important requirement?

The tube must be visually concealed from the judge The tube must be firmly secured so it cannot readily roll, fall, or be dislodged The tube must always be inside a cardboard box The ventilation openings must face upward

Please select an answer.

6. Which practice best helps provide competitors with an equal experience when rat locations must be changed?

Leave the previous rat container in place so the course looks identical Remove the previous box/container or move the entire container with the rat Move only the rat tube and leave the material it was nested in behind Allow competitors running multiple dogs to use the same rat locations

Please select an answer.

7. In most classes and games, when does official time begin?

When the gate closes When the judge says “Go” When all of the dog's feet leave the start box or start mat When the handler leaves the start box

Please select an answer.

8. After several competitors have run, it is discovered that a tube believed to be a litter tube actually contained a rat. One or more handlers received a fault or NQ after calling Rat on that tube. What should the judge do? Please answer this question.

9. During rat removal, a dog lightly jumps on the rat steward in a friendly manner with no perceived ill intent. What may the judge assess?

No fault A discretionary 5-10-point fault Mandatory 20-point fault Automatic NQ

Please select an answer.

10. Which use of a reward is NOT permitted?

Feeding the dog after the judge confirms a rat Rewarding after completion of a bridge or burrow Having a treat in hand before the dog reaches the handler when rewarding a recall Giving the dog brief petting or scratches as a reward

Please select an answer.

11. What constitutes correct performance of a bridge?

The dog must put only its two front feet on the bridge All four feet must get onto the bridge, but they do not have to be on it simultaneously The dog must stop on the bridge for three seconds The dog must completely cross from one end to the other

Please select an answer.

12. What is the main difference between Dump Hunter and Ultimate Distance?

Dump Hunter has multiple rats while Ultimate Distance has only one In Dump Hunter the handler remains behind the start line or in the start box; in Ultimate Distance the handler remains seated in a chair while the dog works Ultimate Distance allows the handler to follow the dog while Dump Hunter does not Dump Hunter has a bridge and burrow while Ultimate Distance does not

Please select an answer.

14. When rats are relocated between blinds, what should happen to the box, bag, paper, or other material that previously held or surrounded the rat, and why? Please answer this question.

15. A dog has already been faulted for roughing a rat tube and continues to pick up, drop, or roughly manipulate the tube. What should the judge do?

Continue assessing additional 10-point faults indefinitely Stop the run and NQ the team Remove the tube and continue without further consequence Restart the team

Please select an answer.

16. A dog bites the rat steward's clothing during rat removal. What is the result?

20-point fault and continue NQ and removal of the dog from the search area and remainder of the trial Warning only Rerun with a different steward

Please select an answer.

17. When may the ring gate be opened at the completion of a run?

When time is called When the final rat is removed After the dog is back on leash Whenever the handler asks

Please select an answer.

18. A handler tells the judge before the run that their dog is blind. Which accommodations may be permitted? Select ALL that apply.

The handler may tap objects to help orient the dog to obstacles The dog may use a handled harness for safe guidance The judge may allow an exception to the number of item moves under extenuating circumstances The handler may lead the dog directly to each rat location

Please select at least one option.

19. Which Happy Ratters game requires two timers and two stopwatches?

Rat Trap Rat Race Silent Hunt Earn A Rat

Please select an answer.

20. A dog becomes caught, tangled, or physically stuck in an object on the course. May the handler assist the dog, and how should the judge handle the situation? Please answer this question.

Certification & Submission

I certify that the answers above are my own work and that the information provided in this application is true and complete.

Signature (type your full name to certify) Please type your full name to certify your application.

Judge Application & Exam

Applicant Information

Background & Experience

Judge's Exam

Certification & Submission

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