Barn Hunt Overview

Barn hunt has taken the dog world by storm. It’s the newest dog sport that puts your dog’s nose to work. We know dogs have a superior sense of smell, but I don’t think we truly understand the magnitude.

Alexandra Horowitz wrote, “While we might notice if our coffee has had a teaspoon of sugar added to it, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water, or two Olympic-sized pools worth” (Horowitz, 2009). Yes, dogs’ noses are that powerful! I highly recommend “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” written by Alexandra Horowitz. This book will blow your mind.

Now that we understand the power of our dog’s noses, let’s get back to the barn hunt!

What is a Barn Hunt?

A barn hunt provides an opportunity for dogs to hunt. All dogs hunt, and the major part of hunting is using their noses. During barn hunt classes and trials, dogs are taught to hunt for rats. Before I continue, I must explain that rats are kept completely safe at all times. That’s right. Barn hunting enthusiasts take extraordinary measures to keep rats and dogs safe during hunts.

Many barn hunters keep these rats as pets. These lucky rats live their lives in a massive rat condo, sleeping on the best bedding and dining on premium rat food. As a huge rat lover, I was concerned about their safety during barn hunts, so I was relieved to know multiple safety precautions are used during every class and trial.

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How a Barn Hunt is Set Up

During a typical barn hunt session, an area is enclosed and covered in loose hay and hay bales to mimic a hay barn. In the center of the hay-enclosed area, bales of hay are stacked to form steps and a tunnel. Within the mounds of hay, three PVC pipes are hidden. One pipe safely holds a rat, another holds rat bedding and the third pipe is empty. For the rat’s safety, each pipe has multiple air holes for ventilation and thick caps securely fastened on each end.

Once the area is set up, the pet owner and dog enter and the dog’s leash is removed. This is the dog’s turn to shine, as she successfully finds the PVC pipe with the rat while ignoring the other two pipes. Once a dog indicates she’s found the rat PVC pipe, the pet owner says “rat” and pulls the pipe from the hay. If your dog is competing in barn hunt trials, there might be different behavior requirements, depending on your dog’s trailing level. Most barn hunt trails require your dog to run under hay tunnels and jump on top of hay stacks.

Pet Owners Learn to Trust Their Dogs

While doing a barn hunt seems pretty easy, it’s not. Dogs have to learn how to use their noses to hunt and find rats. Teaching a dog to hunt is a learning process, but they figure it out fast! Pet owners, on the other hand, usually get in their dogs’ ways.

As humans, we rely on our eyesight. Upon entering the barn hunt area, most pet owners will scan the area for glimpses of plastic pipes or gaps within straw. It’s normal human behavior to help our dogs succeed, so we instinctually scan the area. But here’s the problem: we’re usually wrong 99.9% of the time. 🙂 So many times, I’ve witnessed pet owners encourage their dogs to check out a specific area when their dogs are circling a totally different area. As you would guess it, the dog was right! In this dog sport, pet owners learn to trust their dogs!

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Who Can Play Barn Hunt

Not only does this sport tap into a dog’s hunting instinct, it’s also super fun for both dog and pet owner. It’s an amazing bonding experience between dog and pet owner because they must work together while allowing the dog to do the work. Barn hunt is open to all dogs regardless of size or shape. They just need a nose. Pugs and Shih Tzus are fantastic barn hunters; don’t let their little noses fool you!

Barn Hunts in Your Area

To ensure rats and dogs are kept safe at all times, the Barn Hunt Association (BHA) was founded. BHA sets standards for practice sessions and trials across the US. Check out their website to find a club near you. Of course, you can earn barn hunt titles, but remember that practice is just as fun for your dog!

Always remember to trust your dog’s nose every time!

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