All about Barn Hunt

Barn Hunt combines scent work, natural agility and team work with the handler with the aim to find a rat in a tube in a course of straw bales.

At Central Scotland Barn Hunt (CSBH) we provide you and your dog with an opportunity for fun, natural outlets and team building to help your bond with your dog. We welcome all types of dogs and you can take part just for the fun as well as be supported through quality coaching towards official titles.

Expect a welcoming community of likeminded dog owners, with space for both reactive and social dogs to reap the benefits of taking part in a team sport with their handler.

A dog wearing a pink harness sniffing a metal tube pipe inserted into a hay pile inside a barn or agricultural building.

How do I get involved?

Your first experience with Barn Hunt will be an Introduction workshop. With less dogs on the session we will have time to explain everything you need to know, make sure your dog is comfortable with the ring and is properly introduced to the scent and what they will be doing. You’ll also have chance to watch some other dog’s work so you can learn from them too. From there you can progress through the levels of workshops, join regular classes and take part in fun tests and trials. If you have further questions then check the FAQs below.

All our workshops take place at Bowmuir Farm, Carnwath. ML11

Meet the Team

  • A woman with short red hair smiling outdoors, sitting in front of a wooden fence, wearing a gray hoodie and black vest.

    Cat West

    Chief Instructor

    Cat is a full time dog trainer, working with all breeds and types of dogs on general training and behaviour issues. Having two Terriers Barn Hunt was a natural fit for the scentwork she already taught and took part in.

    Always on hand to chat Barn Hunt.

  • A dog standing among hay bales inside a farm or barn

    Elvis

    The Total Terrier

    4yo Border Terrier Elvis may well be your demo dog for intro workshops and is a prime example of a natural at Barn Hunt. He’ll be racking up his titles pretty soon!

    Fast, accurate and not to be messed with he is a Terrier through and through.

  • A small dog with a collar exploring a stack of straw inside a barn or shed.

    Beattie

    Chief in charge of food

    Baby sister to Elvis B is in charge of clearing up all left over treats on her way to finding the rats of course!

    She definitely won’t be far behind her brother with speed and accuracy finding those tubes.

  • A woman with pale skin, blonde hair, and piercings smiling outdoors in front of a wooden fence.

    Charleigh Thompson

    Instructor

    Charleigh is the second instructor to join the CSBH team. With years of experience in both dog walking and training, including behaviour work and Scentwork. She is also a regular agility competitor and has a canine team ready to show you how to Barn Hunt.

  • Two scruffy dogs sitting on grass with greenery in the background, wearing matching patterned harnesses, one dog with a slightly open mouth and the other with a calm expression.

    Luna + Nova

    Cosmic Terriers

    Charleigh's two Terrier crosses are agility, scent work and trick training masters. They have now added Barn Hunt to their repertoire and will be on hand for any demos needed when Charleigh's in charge of the ring.

  • Rhea

    Teenage Whirlwind

    Working Cocker Spaniel Rhea brings some Spaniel speed and non stop energy to the Barn Hunt ring. Standby if this young lady is about because you might not see her coming!

 FAQs

  • In the UK the rat in the tube is real but dead, sourced from reptile food supply. CSBH is committed to checking and obtaining the rats from the best and most ethical suppliers. Neither you or your dog will have sight of or contact with the rats. Your human nose is not sensitive enough to smell the rats unless you choose to get very up close and personal with the tubes!

  • Yes, every dog works alone in the ring. Reactive dogs should always be given adequate space at workshops too. We can’t guarantee your dog will have sight and sound with other dogs but it will be well managed. All dog’s are kept on lead moving around the venue at all times.

  • Yes in principal so long as everyone is kept safe, instructors and other competitors will be moving around the space. If your dog has serious aggression issues towards people then please contact us before booking.

  • YES! Barn Hunt is accessible to dogs of all shapes, sizes, types and disabilities. We will make accommodations to allow them to have a positive experience.

  • Yes. You book a space on the workshop. You can choose to use that space for one or multiple dogs. You can also book multiple spaces in a workshop so each dog gets more time in the ring.

  • Full refunds available up to 72hrs before your workshop or class. After that you can sell or gift your space privately but no refunds will be given.

  • The Barn Hunt UK website has full details of the requirements for titles and registration.