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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Barn Hunt - Who's tried it?

    I feel like this newer sport has really taken off in popularity in the last year. I started it with Abbey a couple of months ago since we aren't doing as much obedience/rally anymore and she has really nice prey and hunt drive.

    It is very different from the formal dog sports of obedience and rally that I'm used to, so it's a refreshing change.

    For those of you who haven't seen it or heard of it, basically there are a bunch of hay bales set up in a certain area (usually 20'x20'). There are then rats in a ~foot long 5" PVC tube with holes drilled and these tubes are placed somewhere on/around the hay bales, hidden with some extra hay. The dog has to indicate when they've found the tube containing the rat and you have to read your dog and say "RAT!" to the judge so they stop the timer.

    It's really fun and Abbey seems to enjoy it - she offered nice indication signals - she lays down, barks and touches the tube with her paw. I will probably try this with Lucy next!

    The Barn Hunt Association titles can also be added as AKC titles, which is kind of neat, too.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog charliebbarkin's Avatar
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    I have not tried it, but have heard so much about it from my dog friends in MI. They seem to really love it!

    I think Shellbell does it...I think....

    I did nosework with Charlie, I know it's not the same, but we really enjoyed that. So very different from Obedience or Agility, but boy was it nice to have a bit of training under our belts. Made us more in tune with one another while searching, and helped to keep him under control while we waited to go.

    Have fun! I hope to hear more about it, and of course how is Lucy doing?!
    Charlie and Burton


  3. #3
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Saw a demo at a recent dog show. The dogs were having a blast.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog shellbell's Avatar
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    Tux and I do Barn Hunt! We have a trainer in our area for it, she is a friend of mine and has been involved in training in general for quite awhile. And then Barn Hunt came to our area, caught on like wild fire, so she offers weekly training sessions. She also competes with a couple of her dogs and has titles on them in it. Tux and I are actually signed up for practice this coming Thursday. We have been practicing at it since January. He was always pretty good about finding the rat, but I could not get him to tunnel or jump on a hay bale, two of the other requirements for a trial. Well it has finally clicked over the past couple weeks, and he has been doing all three things! I think the next trial in our area is not until August, I am going to sign him up. Would be awesome if he could get his novice title. He is not an athletic dog but loves to use his nose, so this is perfect for us!

  5. #5
    Puppy LabLady101's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    Piper & I went to a practice last week. She loves it!! She's very good at it too! Maybe we can get her started competing down the road, but it will depend upon how many events are local club offers. They just had their first last weekend and I'm not sure what the plans will be for a next.
    Darcy Litzinger
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  6. #6
    Best Friend Retriever emma_Dad's Avatar
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    Our trainer is offers it, I've wanted to sign Emma up for it. But i've been debating between that class and nose work.

  7. #7
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I haven't heard of it hear, I do nosework with Maxx and he and I both love it. It sounds like fun, I think Maxx would really like it, he lives to "hunt".
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    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

 



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