the event called BARN HUNT by laurie cowhig I enter the test area with my team- mate at my side. She is alert and focused, she knows what is next. The judge says, “Welcome! You
Terriers were (and still are) used to help keep vermin controlled on farms, barns and feed lots. This is the closest they can get to the “real thing.” The test area consists of bales of straw that are stacked on the course. The course consists of a tunnel and several other structures built out of straw bales. The rats are protected in PVC constructed tubes with air holes for ventilation, as well as to help the scent escape. The rats are never hurt and most of them are our pets. I myself currently have 11 girls that all happily load into the tubes. They are treated very well as they really are the key players. Without them, we don’t have the game. We also use tubes that have just used bedding and empty tubes. The idea of the game is for your dog to locate the live rat tubes. It is your job to call them when you think your dog has found them. There are several levels in which the dogs can earn titles in and then to move up to the next level. The very first level is instinct. This is the introduction to the game. In this level there are 3 tubes on the ground: 1 rat, 1 used bedding and 1 empty. The team has 1 minute to locate and call the correct rat tube. Nothing is hidden, they are right out in the open at the end of a tunnel. The tun- nel is not required in this level, but it is there for the dog to try. The following levels are Novice, Open, Senior and Master. Each subse- quent level increases in difficulty. The total number of tubes used increases as well as the number of rats per level increases. All levels above instinct require the dog to complete the tunnel and a climb. As with the number of tubes
may go when ready.” I get down to her level, remove her leash and collar and I pass them to the leash runner. I lean down and ask Bam- bi if she is ready. She smells the air and stares ahead. I give her one last pat and say, “Go find them!” She runs out of the start box and immediately starts search- ing. She loves this game—we both do. It’s a team game but she is the primary player. I need her to find them as her nose is much better than mine. I am just the part that can talk. Off we go. What are we doing? We are at a Barn Hunt Trial. What is she looking for? She is looking for rats, live rats that are hid- den amongst the bales of straw. Straw that is stacked on the course and it’s all about fun for us. Bambi and I love this game so much (most dogs do) and that is why I enjoy it so much. I first found a Barn Hunt trial in November of 2013. My partner is Bam- bi, a little black Pug that has a heart of gold and is will do anything to please me. She is my first performance partner and is the reason I do dog sports. Yes I know—a Pug, but she hunts and loves it. All I ask is that she has fun and fun she does. We were attending an agility trial with her in Santa Rosa, California and there was a Barn Hunt trial at the same location. I watched as the game was played and wondered if this might inter- est her. I decided to give it a try and boy did she love it—loved the hunt! The basics of the game are simple. They are based on vermin hunting.
t5 01 / 05$) 5 0:4 4 &15&.#&3
Powered by FlippingBook