Barn Hunt Basics for Newbies

 Barn Hunt Basics for Newbies (Instinct/Novice level and first timers at Trials) 

Disclaimer: This does not cover all of the rules and is intended as a brief overview. For the complete set of the rules, please go to: https://barnhunt.com/barnhuntrules.html 

• Read the premium and your final email confirmation. They contain important information like trial start times, general briefing time, barn hunt grounds info, class running order, parking areas, etc. 
• Plan on being there for the general briefing and arriving at least 30 minutes before your class start time.  
• Park and potty your dog. 
• Put your dog up and get yourself acquainted with the Barn Hunt grounds. Find the secretary, ring(s), blind(s), bathroom, hospitality area (if there is one), etc. 
• Go to the secretary and check in. Find the running order to see which blind your dog will be in. If you’re not running right away, volunteer to help! You will learn so much and no prior experience is needed. 
• There is a General Briefing from the trial chair or secretary that covers the basics of how the trial will be run at that venue, barn hunt grounds, rulebook and course map locations, introduction of the judge, etc. There will also be a judge’s briefing for Instinct and Novice. It is very important to attend both briefings.  

When it’s getting close to your run time, do a body check and dog check: 

Humans: no attachments like treat bags, fanny packs, etc,; nothing dangling. If you have your phone, it must be on silent or airplane mode. Same for smartwatches.  

Dogs: must run naked so they should wear an easy-to-remove collar and lead. Slip leads are great for this. No vet wrap. No open wounds. No flea collars. No poop bag holder attached to leash. One single poop bag tied to leash is allowed  

• The blind steward will call you into the blind.  They should not have to come searching for you. You should be close by and ready to go.  
• Treats are allowed in the blind but not in the ring or ringside. Most clubs have a place to put your treats or anything else you don't want to bring in the ring with you.  
• You cannot use your phone in the blind. 
• From the blind you will be called to the ring by a gate steward or by a doorbell. 
• Proceed directly to the ring, through the gate and to the start mat. 
• The judge will tell you when you may release your dog. You don't need to rush, but also can't stay there for an extended period of time. Make sure your two feet and all four of your dog’s paws are completely within the start mat*. 

*For very large dogs, two front paws and chest must be within the start mat 

Do not leave the collar on - remember to hand it to the wrangler, place it on the start mat, hang it up or or place it in a designated basket or bucket* 

*You are allowed to put your leash and collar in your pocket; however, it must fit completely inside the pocket with no part of it hanging out of your pocket. 

*If your dog is wearing a prong collar, it must be covered and have a quick-release buckle. It  cannot be placed on the start mat, but must be hung securely. 

When you are ready to release your dog, go have fun!  

DO’S                                                                          

You may talk to, praise and gesture or direct your dog  

You may walk around the ring with your dog 

You may lift or tip a bale (after calling “RAT!”) to retrieve the rat tube

You and your dog may enter the Dead Zone if there is one. (If there is a Dead Zone, it will be pointed out in the Judge’s Briefing) 

Praise your dog when finding the rat (See “Allowed Praise,” pg 13 in the Competitor Rulebook) 

Use proper restraint and get the rat tube safely to the rat wrangler (See “Safely Handling/Removing the Rat Tubes,” pg 16-17 in the Competitor Rulebook) 

DONT'S

You cannot touch your dog, bales or the step unless you have first called RAT! 

You cannot scruff your dog (handful of skin or fur) 

You cannot bowl your dog (throw/shove your dog forward) 

You cannot allow your dog to abuse or rough up ANY tube, regardless of if it has a rat in it or not 

You cannot kneel in the ring 

You may not curse in the ring 

Instinct – You have 1 minute to find one rat, no tunnel or climb required. There will be one rat tube, one dirty bedding tube and one empty tube, attached to a cradle. 

Novice – You have 2 minutes to find one rat, complete the tunnel and complete a climb, in any order. Hidden on the course there will be one rat tube, one dirty bedding tube and one empty tube.