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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 — if you have an older printout, use this one instead.

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.

21. A handler has finished the required elements and calls to end the run. Before leaving the ring, the handler drops a treat while rewarding the dog. How should this be scored?

No fault because the run is over 5-point fault 10-point fault NQ

Please select an answer.

22. A handler calls "Rat" at a location where there is no rat. Unless the rules for that specific game state otherwise, what is the result?

Warning only 5-point fault 10-point fault Automatic NQ

Please select an answer.

23. When placing rat hides near a fan, HVAC vent, open door, or other source of moving air, why should the judge consider airflow?

Air movement may change where rat odor travels or collects Rat odor always remains directly beside the tube Fans prevent dogs from detecting rat odor Airflow matters only for elevated hides

Please select an answer.

24. Which games have three levels rather than five?

Dump Hunter, Silent Hunt, and Ultimate Distance Rat Trap, Silent Hunt, and Village Rats Dump Hunter, Road Rage Rats, and Ultimate Distance Box-A-Rat, Silent Hunt, and Rat Trap

Please select an answer.

25. A dog shows a clear change of behavior several feet away from the physical rat tube. What should a judge keep in mind?

The dog must be directly touching the tube for the find to count Odor may travel away from the physical source, so the strongest behavior change may not occur directly on top of the tube The handler must move the dog closer before calling Rat Any indication away from the tube is a false alert

Please select an answer.

26. Explain what should happen if the timer fails or forgets to start the stopwatch. Please answer this question.

27. A handler moves an object without asking permission in a class where movement would otherwise have been allowed. What is the standard consequence?

No consequence 5-point fault 10-point fault Automatic NQ

Please select an answer.

29. During rat removal, a dog follows the rat steward a few steps but does not chase or charge and then returns to hunting when redirected. How should this normally be scored?

No fault 5-point fault 10-point fault NQ

Please select an answer.

30. In a class or game with an unknown number of rats, the judge accidentally gives the handler information that affects the handler's ability to determine whether the search is complete. What should the judge do?

NQ the team because the handler received information they should not have had Require the team to continue and disregard the judge's mistake The handler may choose between class course time or a rerun Give the team class course time

Please select an answer.

31. When placing rat tubes, what should a judge consider when deciding how difficult a hide is to locate? Include factors that may affect whether odor is reasonably available to the dog and whether the placement creates an appropriate challenge rather than an unfair or inaccessible hide. Please answer this question.

32. What constitutes correct performance of a burrow or a box used as a burrow?

The dog's head must enter The dog's head and shoulders must enter All four feet must go through or enter the burrow or box The dog must enter at one end and exit the opposite end

Please select an answer.

33. In a class or game where objects may be moved, what must a handler do before moving an object?

Ask the judge for permission Ask the rat steward for permission Announce the move to the timer Nothing; permitted objects may be moved freely

Please select an answer.

34. Which statement about video recordings is correct?

Video may be reviewed to determine whether a rat call was correct Video may be used to challenge a judge's call but not a fault Video may not be used for scoring or to question a judge's call, but may be used for timing in the event of a timer malfunction Video may never be used for any purpose

Please select an answer.

35. What does the rulebook mean when it states that there are no "double faults" on a single action? Give an example. Please answer this question.

36. A small dog is picked up while a rat is being removed. Which statement is correct?

The handler may walk back toward the start box while holding the dog The handler must remain in position until the dog is placed down and all four paws are touching the ground The handler must hand the dog to the judge Small dogs may not be picked up during rat removal

Please select an answer.

37. Which behaviors involving a rat tube are generally acceptable and not faultable? Select ALL that apply.

Biting at a secured rat tube Picking up and carrying the tube Shaking the tube Repeatedly rolling the tube Pushing the tube straight from one end without causing it to roll

Please select at least one option.

38. You tell a handler "No" after the handler calls Rat. After the run, you discover that a rat actually was in that location. What may you do as the judge? Please answer this question.

39. Once the team has left the start box, where is generally the best place for the judge and inside rat steward to stand?

In the middle of the course In the start box Directly beside the rat location At opposite corners of the ring

Please select an answer.

Exam developed by Angie Kalea Ho, based on the 2026 Happy Ratters Rule Book.

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Judge Application & Exam

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