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Dogs sleuth for rats during Barn Hunt Yukon’s first hunt

Barn Hunt Yukon held its first competition last Saturday and Sunday. The hide-and-seek game for dogs is a fun, active way to engage with your canine friend.

The sport of Barn Hunt involves having the dogs sniff for live rats that are stowed safely in aerated tubes and hidden throughout the course under numerous piles of straw.

To sharpen the challenge for the dogs, tubes holding litter/bedding are also hidden, and do not count as a find. 

The 12 pet rats are owned by Kelly Pollard. “They are really smart and easily trained to become comfortable around the dogs,” she said.

She also noted that rats generally have a lifespan of around two years; however, Barn Hunt rats often live longer, partially due to a very healthy diet, veterinary care, enrichment and socialization.

The competition was held on Burns Road in Hillcrest, with approximately 50 participants.

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