Barn Hunt is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the U.S., offering a fun, challenging outlet for your dog’s natural instincts. Whether your dog is a terrier with a strong prey drive or a laid-back mixed breed who just loves to sniff, Barn Hunt can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting started—from understanding what the sport is all about to preparing for your first trial. Let’s dig in.
What Is Barn Hunt?
At its core, dog barn hunt is a sport that celebrates a dog’s ability to sniff out rats. But don’t worry—no rats are ever harmed. In fact, the rats used in barn hunt events are safely enclosed in sturdy, aerated tubes and are well-cared-for working animals.
The sport is set up in a course made of straw or hay bales. Dogs navigate this maze to locate the hidden rat tubes using scent. Each course is timed, and dogs are judged on their ability to find the rats and perform required tasks like climbing on a bale and tunneling through a straw chute.
Barn Hunt is open to all breeds and mixed breeds. Whether your dog is small, large, fast, methodical, shy, or bold, there’s a place for them in this sport.
Why Try Barn Hunt?
Barn Hunt isn’t just fun—it’s also a great way to give your dog mental stimulation, physical activity, and confidence-building. It strengthens your bond through teamwork and communication, all while tapping into your dog’s natural instincts.
Some of the reasons people get involved in Barn Hunt for dogs include:
Burning energy in a fun way
Improving focus and sniffing skills
Gaining confidence in new environments
Meeting like-minded dog lovers
Earning titles and ribbons
Plus, it’s just plain entertaining to watch dogs in action—tails wagging, noses to the ground, hunting like pros.
Who Can Participate?
If your dog can climb on straw bales, fit through a tunnel, and is at least 6 months old, they can do Barn Hunt. No specific breed, size, or prior experience is required. While terriers tend to excel due to their instincts, any dog can participate—from Chihuahuas to Great Danes.
Dogs do need to be able to work off-leash in a safely enclosed ring and should be relatively comfortable around other dogs and people in a busy event environment.
What You Need to Get Started In Barnhunt
You don’t need much to start Barn Hunt training. Here’s a simple list of what you’ll want to have:
A basic harness or collar (no prong or e-collars allowed in the ring)
A leash
Tasty treats or a favorite toy for rewards
A crate or x-pen for downtime at events
A curious, motivated dog!
You’ll also want to bring water, poop bags, and a positive attitude. The sport is welcoming and inclusive, but having a dog with good crate manners and a solid recall will make your experience easier.
Step 1: Learn the Rules
Before you show up to a Barn Hunt event or trial, take time to read the official rulebook from the Barn Hunt Association (BHA). This will help you understand the sport’s structure, what to expect, and how your dog can advance through the levels.
Basic elements include:
Instinct: A simple test to see if your dog shows interest in the rat tube.
Novice: The first official level with one rat to find, plus tunnel and climb requirements.
Open, Senior, Master: Advanced levels with more rats, trickier tunnels, and increased time pressures.
Crazy 8s: A fun side game with its own rules and awards.
Step 2: Try a Barn Hunt Instinct Test
The instinct test is the starting point for all competitors. It’s designed to be straightforward: your dog is presented with three tubes—one with a rat, one with litter (rat bedding), and one empty. Your dog must identify the correct one.
No experience is needed, and the instinct test can be done on the same day as your first trial. It’s a low-pressure way to introduce your dog to the sights, sounds, and smells of Barn Hunt.
Step 3: Find a Barn Hunt Training Class
One of the best ways to get started is by enrolling in a barn hunt training class. These are offered at training centers, dog sports clubs, and sometimes even farms.
A good class will help your dog:
Learn what scent to find
Get comfortable climbing and tunneling
Build focus and enthusiasm
Practice off-leash work
Understand how to ignore distractions
Use search terms like “barn hunt for dogs near me” or “barn hunt training classes [your city]” to locate options in your area.
If classes aren’t available, private trainers or local clubs may offer workshops or practice sessions. You can even practice some elements (like tunnels and climbs) at home using hay bales or agility equipment.
Step 4: Attend a Fun Match or Practice Event
Before entering a full competition, it’s smart to attend a fun match, training day, or mock trial. These informal events simulate a trial environment without the pressure of titles or judges.
It’s a great chance to:
Watch how a real event runs
Let your dog explore a real course
Ask questions from experienced handlers
Get feedback from instructors
Many of these events are advertised on regional dog sport Facebook pages, local training clubs, or through the Barn Hunt Association’s website.
Step 5: Register Your Dog with the BHA
To earn titles and enter official barn hunt events, your dog must be registered with the Barn Hunt Association. The process is simple and inexpensive.
Go to barnhunt.com, create an account, and register your dog. You’ll get a Barn Hunt number that’s used for entering trials and tracking titles.
Once your dog has a number, you’re ready to sign up for your first trial!
Step 6: Enter Your First Trial
Entering your first Barn Hunt trial is exciting—but don’t worry, you’re not expected to be perfect. Start with the Instinct or Novice level, depending on your dog’s comfort.
Here’s how a typical trial day goes:
Arrive early and check in
Potty your dog and set up your crate area
Attend the handler’s briefing to learn the rules
Walk the course (humans only!) to plan your approach
Wait for your turn and get ready to enter the ring
Let your dog do the work while you call out when they find the rat!
Remember, success isn’t just about finding the rat—it’s about teamwork, fun, and learning.
Common Barn Hunt Terms
Getting familiar with some common terms will help you feel more comfortable as you start out:
Climb: Your dog must place all four paws on a hay bale.
Tunnel: A straw tunnel your dog must go through during a run.
Alert: When your dog finds the rat, you must call “Rat!”
Litter Tube: A tube filled with rat bedding (no actual rat).
Empty Tube: A decoy tube with nothing in it.
Blind Run: You don’t know where the rats are hidden—this starts at the Novice level.
Tips for Success
Here are a few things seasoned handlers often recommend:
Don’t over-handle your dog. Trust their nose—they’re better at this than we are!
Celebrate even small wins. Your dog climbing a bale or going through a tunnel is progress.
Stay patient and positive. Some dogs catch on quickly; others take time to build confidence.
Watch other runs. You’ll learn a lot from seeing different handling styles.
Ask for help. Most Barn Hunt folks are friendly and happy to support newcomers.
Where to Find Barn Hunt Events
The best place to find official events is on the Barn Hunt Association website’s event calendar. You can search by state and date to find trials near you.
Other places to watch for barn hunt events:
Regional dog training club websites
Facebook groups focused on scent work or dog sports
Newsletters from local trainers or facilities
Word of mouth from other handlers
Dog Barn Hunt Titles and Progression
As you attend more trials and earn qualifying runs (called “legs”), your dog can earn titles at each level:
RATI – Instinct Title
RATN – Novice Title
RATO – Open Title
RATS – Senior Title
RATM – Master Title
RATCH – Champion Title (earned after 10 Master level Qs)
Each level adds more difficulty—more rats, longer tunnels, and less time—but also more fun.
Can You Train Barn Hunt at Home?
Yes, to some degree. You can:
Create tunnels with straw bales or agility equipment
Teach climb behavior using platforms or couches
Play games with scent tubes (get permission before using live rats—start with litter or toy scents)
Just keep in mind that nothing compares to real barn hunt training with actual rats and proper tubes, so be sure to attend in-person events too.
Barn Hunt is more than a game—it’s a sport that builds trust, provides enrichment, and taps into what dogs love to do: sniff, search, and solve problems.
Whether you’re in it to title or just to have fun, Barn Hunt welcomes dogs of all sizes, backgrounds, and experience levels. With a little training, a lot of patience, and some rat-scented practice, you and your dog will be well on your way to your first qualifying run.
