Barn Hunt
Barn Hunt is a fun sport that allows dogs of all ages, breeding, background to come play on a course of straw bales while searching for a rat. The rats are hidden in safe tubes in the straw and it is up to your dog to search them using their amazing scenting skills!
We are offering an Introduction to Barn Hunt for those that have never attempted this sport or if you want to reinforce your foundation skills. This class allows the dogs and handlers to begin to develop the skills needed to perform barn hunts. Introduction to the rat and timing of rewards to build your dog's desire to find the rat will be the main focus of the Intro course and basic competition rules will be covered. You can repeat the Intro course as needed to build your dog's competency to take the rat instance test and prepare for a Novice course competition.
Once you're ready to move on, we offer an Advanced Barn Hunt class that focuses on navigating tunnels and climbing straw bales. Proofing, multiple tubes, and trial readiness, as well as scent theory and handler strategies, will also be covered.
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Barn Hunt Foundation 1
Finding the rat is the ultimate goal in a Barn Hunt competition. This class is for the dog/handler team that has not done any Barn Hunt training before. It builds a strong awareness in your dog for the 'scent of a rat', the key to success. Barn Hunt Foundation 1 classes focus on teaching your dog to identify a rat scent, create enthusiasm for finding the rat and focus on a solid indication when your dog finds the rat.
Dates: May 14, 21 and June 4 (No class Memorial Day). Note: The registration page will show 4 classes, this is because of the need to schedule around Memorial Day - it is a 3 week class.
Prerequisite: None
Length: 3 weeks, 1 hour classes
Cost: $75.00
Barn Hunt Foundation 2
You have three tubes and only one has a rat in it, which one is it? Your dog learns to differentiate between an empty tube, a tube with rat litter in it and a tube with a rat safely housed in it, waiting for your dog to find it. The goal of this class is to prepare for your Barn Hunt Instinct Test and introduce your dog to working with a rat hidden in hay. You will enhance your ability to read your dog's behavior when searching for a tube with a rat and ignoring tubes that have no value to your dog.
Prerequisite: Barn Hunt Foundation 1 or permission from instructor
Length and Duration: 3 weeks, 1 hour class each week
Cost: $75.00
Tunnels and Bales Barn Hunt Level 1
Now that your dog has a strong indication for the rat, it's time to add in more fun with tunnels and climbing bales of hay in search of the rat. The goal of this class is to have a dog who enthusiastically enters a straight or one-turn tunnel and loves climbing up a ramp or jumping on bales of hay to search for the rat.
Prerequisite: Barn Hunt Foundation 2 or permission from instructor
Duration and Length: 3 weeks, 1 hour class per week
Cost: $75.00
Tunnels and Bales Level 2 - More Twists and Turns
As you and your dog progress in Barn Hunt, the complication of courses increase. This course will introduce your dog to tunnels with 2- and 3- turns, building drive and confidence in going through the tunnels and searching for the rat.
Prerequisite: Tunnels and Bales Foundation 1 or permission from instructor
Duration and Length: 3 weeks, 1 hour class per week
Cost: $75.00
Barn Hunt Practice Sessions
Need some practice on tunnels, indication, climb or just running courses but don't have your own Barn Hunt ring? Our Barn Hunt practice sessions give you the location, hay, rats and a pre-set course to practice on all areas of Barn Hunt.
You can run up to two dogs during a session, you have twenty-five minutes for working in the ring. There will be a facilitator on site to wrangle rats and keep things running smoothly.
When you register, if bringing two dogs, just pick one of them for the registration.
Prerequisites: None
Duration: 25 minutes
Cost: $25.00
