Rat Hunt FAQs

What is Rat hunt?

Rat Hunt is a sport using a dogs natural drive and instinct to find live rats hidden within a course of straw bales. The rats are safely secured in PVC tubes and are not killed or hurt in any way.

Dogs must use their sense of both smell and hearing to pick out the tubes with the live rats in them versus the tubes that contain stinky used litter and blank tubes that are also hidden through out the course. This is a timed sport in which a dog must find the correct amount of rats, go through a tunnel and climb.

There are different levels of competition:

  1. Novice: 1 rat, 1 litter, 1 blank

  2. Open: 2 rats, 2 litters, 1 blank

  3. Senior: 4 rats, 3 litters, 1 blank

  4. Masters 1-5 rats, 3-7 litters, 0 blank

  5. Crazy 8s: 8 rats, 4 litters, 0 blank

Do the dogs kill the rats?

No. These rats are pets and well cared for.

Can any dog do this?

Yes! Any breed, size, or age, partially blind, deaf, tripod dogs can do it! As long as it is safe for the dog to climb up and over the straw bales.

What kind of classes or training do you offer?

  1. Private lessons in which you get one-on-one training with our instructor. Currently we are offering 30 minutes which is ideal for 1-2 dogs and 60 minutes which is ideal for 2-4 dogs. During these lessons, we work on anything you would like training on whether it be rat introduction to tunnel aversion to tough hides.

  2. Ring rentals in which you get access to our rat hunt ring and rats with no training from our instructor. Rentals are offered in 30 minutes which is ideal for 1-2 dogs and the use of 2 rats or 60 minutes which is ideal for 2-4 dogs and the use of 3 rats.

  3. Small group introduction seminars: These will be offered occasionally. For new handlers who want to have their dog introduced to the rat and see if this sport is something they would like.

  4. Coming soon: Teams and Hurdles Practice for Regional and Grand National Competition

What is the price?

  1. Private lessons

    1. 30 minutes: $45

    2. 60 minutes: $75

  2. Ring Rentals

    1. 30 minutes: $30 includes the use of 2 rats

    2. 60 minutes: $60 includes the use of 3 rats

    3. You may add on two rats for $5

  3. Small group classes:

    1. $25/dog