Critter Hunting Classes
Does your dog dig up your yard, in search of moles? These sports will give your dog a job to do!
Barn Hunt Pictures by Clicking to Capture Happy Ratters Pictures by Leslie Watkins
BARN HUNT CLASSES | HAPPY RATTERS CLASSES
MONDAYS | WEDNESDAYS
Pre-requisites for ALL CRITTER HUNTING CLASSES
- Pre-registration with pre-payment is required.
- No shock collars, e-collars, prong collars or choke chains allowed in class
- No females in season allowed in classes
Tuition: $200 / $205 (2027)
Duration: Once a week for 6 weeks
Class Size: 6 Dogs Maximum
Want to see Barn Hunt in Action? Watch these videos:
Barn Hunt Class | Instinct Level | Novice Level Barn Hunt | Masters Level Barn Hunt
Want to see Happy Ratters in Action? Watch these videos:
Happy Ratters Expert Level (Standard) | Rats in the House | Rat Race | Rat Trap | Infestation |
Happy Ratters Instructor: Michele Godlevski
Happy Ratters Judge and CPE Canine Scent Sport Judge. Also, the “human half” of the team for the first C-SNITCH dog in the Carolinas, the first XREX dog in the Carolinas, two RATCHX13 dogs, one with REMx5 & CZ8P5S, and two other RATCH dogs.
Barn Hunt Instructor: Jen Hustler
RATCH Barn Hunt Championship title, and multiple dogs with Master level Barn Hunt titles.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
BARN HUNT CLASSES
Introductory Barn Hunt Class:
The introductory Barn Hunt class will focus on the three aspects of barn hunt required to qualify:
- The climb
- The tunnel
- The find
We will build the dog’s confidence in climbing on hay bales stacked up to four high. Dogs will learn to navigate tunnels made of hay bales with up to one turn. We will develop the dog’s interest in finding the rat and teaching him to communicate with the handler the find has been made. In addition, students will learn barn hunt rules and procedures that will enable them to compete at the Instinct and Novice levels and beyond. Basic handling skills will be discussed as well.
Advanced Barn Hunt Class:
The advanced class is for dogs that are currently competing in barn hunt or who have taken the introductory class. We will be refining the dog’s hunting skills and indication. Tunnel skills will be developed using tunnels having 2 or 3 turns in a variety of configurations. In addition, this class will continue to develop handler skills, and discuss the movement of scent so the team may more successfully compete at the higher levels of barn hunt.
HAPPY RATTERS CLASS
Beginner Happy Ratters Class
Happy Ratters is similar to Barn Hunt, minus the hay. Rat tubes are hidden in boxes, bags and other household items. The introductory Happy Ratters class will focus on:
- The find (hidden in a box or bag or vehicle)
- Happy Ratters Games and how to play them
- Odor Theory
- The climb (on a very low plank) * Not required for Happy Ratters
- The tunnel (through a very short agility tunnel) * Not required for Happy Ratters
We will build the dog’s confidence in searching for rats in an urban setting. We will develop the dog’s interest in finding the rat and teaching him to communicate with the handler the find has been made. In addition, students will learn Happy Ratters and NASDA rules and procedures that will enable them to compete in those venues. Basic handling skills will be discussed as well.
Advanced Happy Ratters Class:
The advanced class is for dogs that are currently competing in Happy Ratters or who have taken the introductory class. We will be refining the dog’s hunting skills and indication. This class will continue to develop handler skills, and discuss the movement of scent so the team may more successfully compete at the higher levels of Happy Ratters.
CLASS DAYS & TIMES
Beginner Happy Ratters Class
Wednesday AFTERNOONS!
3:00-4:00 pm
Instructor: Michele Godlevski
Location: The Wag Center
(2027) Jan 6 | Mar 3 | Apr 28 | Jun 23 | Aug 18 | Oct 13
Beginner Happy Ratters Class
Wednesday evenings
6:30-7:30 pm
Instructor: Michele Godlevski
Location: The Wag Center
(2026) May 13 | Jul 15 | Sept 2 | Oct 28 | (2027) Jan 6 | Mar 3 | Apr 28 | Jun 23 | Aug 18 | Oct 13
Advanced Happy Ratters Class
Wednesday AFTERNOONS!
4:00-5:00 pm
Instructor: Michele Godlevski
Location: The Wag Center
(2027) Jan 6 | Mar 3 | Apr 28 | Jun 23 | Aug 18 | Oct 13
Advanced Happy Ratters Class
Wednesday evenings
7:30-8:30 pm
Instructor: Michele Godlevski
Location: The Wag Center
(2026) May 13 | July 15 | Sept 2 | Oct 28 | (2027) | Jan 6 | Mar 3 | Apr 28 | Jun 23 | Aug 18 | Oct 13 |
Beginner Barn Hunt Class
Monday afternoons
1-2pm
Instructor: Jen Hustler
Location: Novice Barn Hunt Barn
(2026) | Sept 14 | Nov 9 | (2027) | Mar 1 | May 3 | Sept 13 | Nov 8
Advanced Barn Hunt Class
Monday afternoons
2-3pm
Instructor: Jen Hustler
Location: Novice Barn Hunt Barn
(2026) | Sept 14 | Nov 9 | (2027) | Mar 1 | May 3 | Sept 13 | Nov 8
Advanced Barn Hunt Class
6:30-7:30pm
Monday evenings
Instructor: Jen Hustler
Location: Novice Barn Hunt Barn
(2026) | Sept 14 | Nov 9 | (2027) | Mar 1 | May 3 | Sept 13 | Nov 8
Beginner Barn Hunt Class
Monday evenings
7:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Jen Hustler
Location: Novice Barn Hunt Barn
(2026) | Sept 14 | Nov 9 | (2027) | Mar 1 | May 3 | Sept 13 | Nov 8 |
CRITTER HUNT OF THE WEEK!
Thursday nights 6pm-9pm
FOR DOGS WHO HAVE TAKEN BARN HUNT OR HAPPY RATTERS CLASSES
$30 for all dogs living under one roof
Location: Novice Barn Hunt Barn
Click the date to sign up! | Oct 22 | Nov 19 |
* Private lessons also available!
Jen offers Barn Hunt private lessons on Sat from 9am-noon (temps permitting) Click here to sign up!
Please note: The rats are never let loose or harmed by the dogs in this sport. They are the pets, raised from babies and acclimated to dogs. The rats are kept in a dog-proof, climate-controlled environment at all times.
