urban ratting workshop - bloomington, IL
When/Where/Who
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Program to repeat in three 2-hour sessions:
- MORNING - 9-11 AM - SOLD OUT, audit spots only
- MIDDAY - 12-2 PM - SOLD OUT, audit spots only
- AFTERNOON - 3-5 PM - SOLD OUT, audit spots only
Hosted by:
2507 Fox Creek Road
Bloomington, IL 61704
Workshop Description
Handlers will learn basics about the sport of "urban ratting" including competition venues and similarities/differences from the "barn ratting" sports.
For dogs the workshop includes:
- Introduction (or re-introduction) to a rat, both in a quarry cage and in a tube
- Building value for the scent of the live rat and drive to search for it
- Practice "Burrow" and "Bridge" elements of a Happy Ratters run
- Practice hunting in a trial ring setup
- Try out an Urban Ratting game (appropriate to dog's level)
Registration details
Space is limited; pre-registration required online. Event bookings must be paid in full by credit card at the time of online registration in order to reserve the spot.
Working Spot: $40/dog
Auditing Spot: $15/person
Capacity: max 2 dogs/handler attending same session; unlimited auditors
Workshop & Equipment Policies
- Use the west grassy area to potty your dog. There is a Doggi-Pot near the driveway that contains waste pick-up bags and a waste bin. You MUST pick up after your dog!
- Dogs may ONLY be off leash during their turn with instructor's approval.
- Dogs must be on leash at all other times; no socializing with other dogs.
- Dogs must go in crates or your car between their turns; please bring your own travel crate as well as a mat to put underneath.
- To prevent disruptive/excessive barking: handlers are encouraged to bring Kongs, lick mats or snuffle mats to keep dogs busy during their downtime.
- Remember to bring high value treats that are not crumbly!
- Collars: No electronic/shock/bark collars, no choke collars, no uncovered pinch/prong collars, no head halters. Covered prongs* and martingale collars are allowed.
- Leashes: No flexi/retractable leashes.
- Allowed Equipment in Competition: This topic will be covered in the introductory part of the workshop in relation to specific competition venues.
*Please note that while covered prongs are allowed in training and at Barn Hunt trials, they are NOT allowed in either Happy Ratters or NASDA "urban ratting" trial venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question here!
A: YES! All levels are welcome to attend, even if you/your dog are totally new to rat hunting sports. In fact, this workshop is a great opportunity for dogs to have a rat introduction as a precursor to Rat Hunt lessons…
A: There are a number of reasons why folks get interested in Urban Ratting, including:
- It's a good complement to Barn Hunt in the hottest and coldest months of the year when "barn time" and/or trials are limited by weather.
- It's more portable - you can pack up the course and take it on the road easily.
- No straw to aggravate allergies!
- It's very accessible for senior dogs - no climbing and no long, dark tunnels required.
- You can always treat at the rat!
A: So glad you asked! We also love the following about the two different trial venues:
- Points are cumulative - you don't need a completely perfect run to accumulate credit towards titles.
- More levels offered with a more gradual increase in difficulty, especially. in Happy Ratters.
- There are many games to play in addition to the regular class levels: 11 games in Happy Ratters and 6 games in NASDA Urban Locating!
A: City Sniffers is a Happy Ratters club (and Megan is a judge). We hosted our first trial in summer 2023, and we have planned three weekend trials in 2024, along with Games Leagues in the spring and fall. In fact, the Summer Rattin' trial will be held at TCKC in Bloomington on July 20-21! Find more trial news on this page.
We are exploring possibilities for NASDA trials as well, as there are already two new NASDA clubs in the state as well as new programs to help clubs start up activities!
A: If a registrant needs to cancel a workshop registration, they must notify City Sniffers in writing at info@citysniffers.org. If at least 5 days in advance of the event date, they may choose to either reschedule for another time OR receive a refund of the original amount paid, minus a 10% processing fee.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 5 days in advance of the event date. This is without exception.
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