Barn Hunt Classes
Barn Hunt tests a dog’s ability to locate and signal the presence of rats hidden in a controlled environment. The sport emphasizes the natural instincts and skills of dogs in hunting and tracking, providing a fun and engaging activity for both dogs and their handlers.
In a typical Barn Hunt competition, dogs navigate through a course of straw or hay bales to find PVC tubes containing rats. The tubes have holes for the dogs to sniff, but the rats are safely enclosed and unharmed. Dogs must indicate the location of the rats by barking, digging, or displaying other signs.
Barn Hunt competitions are held at various levels, allowing dogs of different skill levels to participate and enjoy the sport.
Workshops
In addition to regular classes, we also offer a variety of Barn hunt workshops that are for all skill levels and are great ways to practice at your own pace.
Introduction to Barn Hunt
This is a 25-minute private lesson for handlers with a dog that is new to Barn Hunt. You and your dog will get an introduction to the rats (safely in PVC tubes) and the environment of a barn hunt. The instructor will help assess your dog’s interest and help both of you understand the concepts of the barn hunt sports.
Email barnhunt@runwilddogsports.com with questions.
Barn Hunt Group Classes 🐀
Barn Hunt For Fun – Just Enjoy the Hunt
Barn Hunt for Fun is a relaxed, mixed-level class designed for teams who want to enjoy the sport without a focus on competition. Dogs and handlers will build skills, gain experience, and most importantly, have fun working together in a supportive environment. This class is perfect for dogs who love to hunt and for handlers who want a lower-pressure way to stay engaged in the sport. ✅ Prerequisite: Intro to Barn Hunt Lesson or Barn Hunt Lead Approval. Email barnhunt@runwilddogsports.com.
Barn Hunt Foundations for Competition – Build the Hunt
Foundations focuses on building confidence, drive, and clarity between dog and handler. Dogs are introduced to tunnels, climbing, and the early stages of hunting behavior while developing focus and enthusiasm for the game. This class lays the groundwork for success by encouraging problem-solving and building a strong foundation in teamwork. ✅ Prerequisite: Intro to Barn Hunt Lesson or Barn Hunt Lead Approval. Email barnhunt@runwilddogsports.com.
Barn Hunt Beginner Competition — Start the hunt
The beginner competition class focuses on refining the team’s skills in preparation for competition at the Novice and Open levels. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, course flow, and understanding trial expectations by developing a clear routine for before, during, and after the hunt for both the dog and the handler. This class will have teams work through more complete runs while continuing to build consistency, focus, and clear communication. ✅️ Prerequisite: Barn Hunt Foundations or Barn Hunt Lead Approval.
Barn Hunt Advanced Competition — Trial Ready
This class is designed for more advanced teams, for teams actively competing or preparing to compete at the Senior and Master levels. This class focuses on strategy, efficiency, and higher-level problem-solving. Dogs are challenged with more complex hides and increased difficulty in both problem-solving and tunneling. Teams will work toward consistency at higher levels of competition with a focus on developing confidence with increased distance during the hunt, as well as developing confidence in being able to clearly communicate when the course is clear of rats. ✅️ Prerequisites: Barn Hunt Foundations +/- Beginner Competition Skills or Barn Hunt Lead Approval.
Novice to Master Barn Hunt Private Lessons
Private lessons allow teams to continue to learn at their own pace. The instructor will help you troubleshoot any specific problems, and you will also learn the rules for competing in different venues and strategies for your team.
- Novice, Open, Senior, or Master Level (determines how many rats will be placed)
- 25-minute or 55-minute lessons
- Can accommodate up to 2-4 dogs depending lesson duration
✅ Prerequisite: Introduction to Barn Hunt
Email barnhunt@runwilddogsports.com with questions.