Time to bark up a storm at Chatto Creek

Queensland farmer Glenn Duncan and dog Bloke need some training before taking on the Chatto Creek Dog Bark Up on Friday. Photo / Jono Edwards

If you think it is easy to make a farm dog woof on cue, you might be barking up the wrong tree.

This weekend, farmers will try to make their canine helpers yelp at the 30th annual Chatto Creek Dog Bark Up event.

The dogs are put on a table inside the Chatto Creek Tavern and encouraged to bark. If they do not, their owner has to take their place, get on all fours, bark, and drink beer from a dog bowl.

Queensland farmer Glenn Duncan, whose grandfather Bruce Duncan created the event 30 years ago, was in the area yesterday trying to get a sound out of his dad's Huntaway named Bloke.

''I think we might need a bit more practice before then. He was going crazy back at the farm.''

However, once put on the Chatto Creek Tavern table, the dog fell silent.

''I've been in it maybe about five times, and I think I've had to drink every time,'' Mr Duncan said.

Chatto Creek Tavern owner Lesley Middlemass said stage fright was just part of the competition.

''Sometimes that can be quite embarrassing if you've got a really good dog.''

Some were so frightened the pub ended up with ''misfortune'' all over the tables.

''I've cleaned up a lot of misfortune around Chatto Creek at various stages during the day and the night.''

The judging panel would be filled with people who worked with dogs. Criteria included volume and ''character''.

Last year, the event attracted 45 entrants. This year, a Bruce Duncan memorial trophy will be given to an entrant of the Duncan family's choosing.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz