Kim's Dog Coaching - Obedience and Agility Training to strengthen your bond with your dog

Strengthen the bond between you and your dog

Happy Ratters

What is Happy Ratters?

A fun, trusting environment for dogs and their handlers to hunt vermin (rats in tubes) in an “urban” setting. Happy Ratters is an activity that allows your dog to use their natural desire to hunt. It harnesses a dog's unique ability to detect scent, and determine the source. In training, dogs learn to find the rats just about anywhere you can hide it!

The obstacles and items encounter in class/competition include trash bags, boxes and barrels and other items possibly found in a city alley (i.e.: “urban” setting"), the big difference being this is clean trash, new bags with shredded paper, clean boxes, etc. 

The goal is for you and your dog to work together as a team, in a sport setting where dogs find rats in tubes. The rats are safe, and “happy” in their tubes. These tubes are visible to dogs at lower levels and become more concealed as your dog learns this new skill.

For competition, a titling program allows all dogs to compete toward different level titles, and Happy Ratters encourages camaraderie and support between competitors. We are looking forward to hosting competitions in 2022.

Please Note: The rats live with dogs and a cat, are not frightened at all and are very friendly. They are well cared for, spoiled actually, and are in housed in dog proof PVC Tubes with lots of ventilation during class. Our ‘Girls’ are actually trained to enter the tubes of their own free will and are eager to work!

 

Prerequisites for class:

  • Dogs must be at least 6 months old and have attended a Basic Obedience Class

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“Kim- Thank you. Your class was great. Oscar and I learned a lot. Since Oscar is my 3rd dog, I've had experience with other classes. What was wonderful and different about yours was that you taught us and encouraged us to have fun with our dogs; also you focused on our relationship with our dog and helped us appreciate how special that is. We hope to be back for the next class.”-Cynthia

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