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Monday, July 25, 2016

An old-fashioned barn hunt....

A week or so ago I took Harlow to find out if she'd like to try barn hunting -  a sport where a pup has to find a rat (in a tube) hidden in a maze of hay bales.  Harlow is really focused on catching critters in the yard and we thought this might be a good way to direct her efforts.

Just a quick note on the rats - they are secure and are given treats and attention when they go into the tube.  I was worried that they would be harassed, but it was just the opposite.  The rats actually came up to the Harlow and were super friendly and laid back.  Donna invited me to visit her rats and I found their conditions to be excellent - large clean cages to move around in, company and consideration for age and status of each rat.  She even had a retirement cage for one rat - he was too old to be in with the other rats or be a barn rat, so she provided him a fantastic home with lots of comforts to live out his life.

Now back to Harlow...

When we first got there, our instructor Donna held a rat in front of Harlow.  Harlow, we found, is a very quiet hunter.  I have to watch for her ears to prick to show me she found something interesting.
Hi dere, rat.  I iz da Harlow.  I will be finding you tonight.

Harlow really enjoyed seeing the rat.
Really?  You like cheez?  So does da Harlow!
Once Donna knew that Harlow understood what a rat was, we took a test with three tubes.  One was empty, one had bedding and one had a rat in it.  Harlow had to alert to the rat and she did with flying colors.  Donna then hid the rat in the hay and we worked on Harlow climbing bales and going through the tunnel.  She found her first rat too!
 She also found time to make friends with Donna...
Smooches, teacher!
I iz climbing!
We gave Harlow a break, and then Donna hid the rat for real!  Here is a video of Harlow's first attempt at finding a rat where neither she nor I knew where it was.  I left my questions in just in case someone else would like to try - they may be helpful!  If you can't see it below, click here.
Donna had lots of homework for us!  Overall, we thought it was a huge success.  Harlow finished up her lesson with a special thank you for her new teacher.
Da Harlow luvs you.
 What did Harlow think of it all?
Dis da best, da Momma!

25 comments:

  1. Wow that does look like funs Harlow AND you get TREATS and Hugs, sounds pawfect to me!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  2. I agree... dis is the best... I wish we would have barn hunts here too :o)

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  3. Oh, I would love to try an good, old-fashioned barn hunt though I think my ratting skills have aged along with me!

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  4. Good job hunting Harlow. Hailey would be jealous, she would love to hunt rats!

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  5. This is new to us but it looks like fun. My Poodles are natural hunters.

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  6. That's really interesting. I always know when rats or snakes or toads get into the garage, because the dogs pull on their leashes and sniff in that direction, but they can never pinpoint the exact location. They can just follow a general trail.

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  7. What fun! I'm so glad you explained about the way the rats are treated - sounds like everyone has a good time!

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  8. That was so cool! I love your teacher's voice, Harlow! I ... may have tried to jump into Mom's computer when i heard her.
    I'm glad the rat is friendly and well cared for.
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  9. Oh my !! Now that's a game! Good job
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  10. That's a game we'd like. We love chasing things that have a pulse, but SHE says SHE doesn't think the rat would be safe even in a tube around us, terriers.

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  11. What fun!!!! We would love to try that too. We are pretty good at finding bunnies:)

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  12. Good work, Harlow!
    That barn looks like it would be a fun place for zoomies!!

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  13. OMD!!! HOW FUNS!!!!! I do that in my yardie all the time! Butts, I thinks us terrierist have an advantage, cause that's what we were bred to do. Still, that looks like tons of funs! Good job gurl!!! I officially knighty you an Honorary Terrier! BOL!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  14. Wow Harlow, looks like you are going to be a master barn huntress! Keep sniffin'!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  15. Crikey Da Harlow ..... that sure looks like fun. I'd like to have a go at that. The rat'd have to be in a mighty tough cage with me around though.

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  16. Sounds like a lot of fun...but we want to know how Harlow could be so close to the rat and not grab him? LOL!

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  17. I would love to try that with my guys some day. I think they would love it!

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  18. Harlow looks like she had fun! Especially love her expression in the last pic. :)

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  19. Great job Harlow! Looks like a great body and mind workout.

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  20. Great job Harlow! Looks like a great body and mind workout.

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  21. I really like Rats--they are smart, sweet creatures. I'm afraid it wouldn't have gone so well for the ratties if Fozzie and Dahlia has been turned loose in there--their prey drive is through the roof!

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  22. hello harlow its dennis the vizsla dog oh hay wow a barn hunt!!! mama wuz going to try that with saya if she had stayd with us!!! i think it luks like a lot of fun altho my nose is not the graytest so it wood probly involv a lot of me wandring arownd konfyoozd but yoo no i do that ennyway!!! ha ha ok bye

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  23. Fascinating!!! It reminds me a lot of the nosework that Shyla does (but not for rat scent)! I think you two will have lots of fun with this!

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  24. They do barn hunts around here, but considering how Delilah is fascinated with the chipmunks, I wasn't sure how she'd do. :-) Harlow looks like she really enjoyed it.

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  25. We never heard of a barn hunt so this was interesting.

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