Are you looking to take your rat hunting to the next level? Rat Games is for you. Sign up for one session at a time. Each session covers the rules for the game(s) listed and gives you an overview, strategies, and practice trial runs in that game. Check out the schedule below for which games are on what days and to register!
**THESE PRACTICES ARE FOR DOGS WHO HAVE SOME SORT OF INDICATION ON RATS. This is NOT a class for dogs needing indication skills work.** Check with the instructor if you aren’t sure what you should enter BEFORE signing up! Refunds will not be issued if you enter a practice group above your level.
Maximum of 6 dogs. These sessions are run as a practice for Rat Games trials. A dog handler team who can find rats and tunnel is all you need to get started. The focus is to give you exposure and practice for the games. We do not work on particular skills. For skills work, Beginner and Advanced Barn Hunt classes / Private Lessons are the best options. Don’t worry – if you are a total beginner to Rat Games but your dog loves the rats, you will have fun discovering new ways to build your relationship in the ring.
Distance– Find rats and complete tunnels at a distance. This game is great for those helicopter handlers. The dog must work away from the handler.
Speed– Find rats quickly… no more than 30 seconds a rat.
Tunnels– The only element that counts for points are the tunnels… and there are a lot of them. There are rats on course but no points for them.
Heads Or Tails– Four rats total, two on your side and two as a distance challenge
Bet The Farm– The pressure of having a strategy and being able to adapt your strategy while running is key in this game. You need half the rats on course to qualify but don’t run out of time or you NQ. If you think you have them all, bet the farm and go for the bonus but if you’re wrong, you lose all the points.
Mad Hatter– The 10/6 on the Mad Hatter’s hat inspired the 10 rats and 6 bedding on course. Only 2 minutes to find as many as you can. The tunnel gets you points as well.
Hurdlers– Jump over a series of 4 jumps, ID the rat, then return over 4 jumps. The competition runs dogs head to head like a drag race. In practice, we will run dogs one at a time. Any dogs who are comfortable with the game can practice head to head at the end.
Me First– Two mirror image courses sharing a common fence, a dog in each lane, and a drag race start to find the rat is how this game is played. If you are first and right, you win the heat. If you are wrong, you lose the heat. In competition, this runs as an elimination bracket. In class, we will rotate dogs as to have as many different dogs as possible in the opposing lane so you’ll run more than the standard 2 runs per practice.
Classes are taught by guest instructor: John Fisher, Owner of Dog Sports America! Please contact him directly with questions or to schedule a private lesson.
Cell: 650-444-7800, Email: John@DogSportsAmerica.com
- January 7th: Tunnels & Mad Hatter
- January 14th: Speed & Distance
- January 21st: No classes.
- January 28th: Heads Or Tails & Bet The Farm
**THESE PRACTICES ARE FOR DOGS WHO HAVE SOME SORT OF INDICATION ON RATS. This is NOT a class for dogs needing indication skills work.** Check with the instructor if you aren’t sure what you should enter BEFORE signing up! Refunds will not be issued if you enter a practice group above your level.