Really want to train Jack and Damon to participate in Barn Hunt. Part of the Barn Hunt course includes a tunnel made from the straw bales. Since neither of them has any agility training I was a little stumped on how I could train tunnels short of buying an agility tunnel or a bunch of straw bales.
But a friend and fellow dog enthusiast came to my rescue. She suggested a blanket tunnel using a dark blanket and chairs. Kind of like a blanket fort from childhood.
Perfect!
So while it’s quite different from straw bales, it will work for now.
Here are a couple videos from earlier in the week. The lighting is bad, and the editing app is a little odd. But I think you can get the idea.
Jack Practicing Blanket Tunnel
Damon Practicing Blanket Tunnel
We’ve got a ways to go. But it sure is fun to play!
Looking forward to another Barn Hunt practice.
Colletts on the Move 
This looks like a blast! Really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been hearing a lot about Barn Hunt lately and it sounds like it would be fun! We need to get into something soon, so I need to see if there are any places to do it nearby!
You’d have a ball!!
I love seeing barn hunts; it’s such a great way to get out there and have some fun with our canine companions. They get such a kick out of it.
Love it too. And it’s very popular in my area. There are trials at least monthly. We have two BH clubs and I’m sure there will be more.
Really interesting and sounds like fun!
Thank for stopping by. Hope you’ll be back.
I’m not sure what a Barn Hunt is, but it sounds like fun! I grew up on a farm. I could have helped you out with bales several years ago, haha. But a blanket tunnel is such a cool idea for practice!
LOL! I can see my garage full of straw bales!! Barn Hunt is a fun new sport where dogs find rats (pet rats in specially made tubes that protect them from the dogs) on a course made of straw bales. Combines scenting, hunting, and a little agility (tunneling and climbing).
They look like they’re having fun. We’ve just started agility at home with the cats – they’re a little slower to pick it up than dogs but seem to enjoy it so far.
Oh, I love, love, love watching cats do agility! I’ve seen a few YouTube videos of cat agility. Just amazing!! Takes so much patience and training skill.
Good for you! We tried a barn hunt practice once, but Riley was not crazy about the rats! Have fun training, it looks like you guys are having a great time, and also very creative by using blankets!
I’m not sure Jack (the border collie) is going to love Barn Hunt. He wasn’t sure about the rats. I hope to introduce Damon (the little pittie mix) to Barn Hunt soon. I think he’ll enjoy it.
The blankets are a very clever way of simulating the tunnels! It looks like Jack is catching on to the tunnel idea pretty quickly! 🙂
It works really well for now.
This looks like so much fun! I wonder if I could get my Min Pin to do this! 🙂
Oh I bet you could. You should give it a try!
I’ve never heard of a barn hunt before. Sounds like fun. Love the way you found to train Jack and Damon for the tunnels. I can’t wait to hear how they do at the event. Please share pictures and video.
I will definitely share. Just took my border collie, Jack, to his first practice last weekend. Had to make sure the rats really are treated humanely and are not scared by the dogs. Great, great fun!!
We are planning on doing this too. Already got the tunnel. Now just need the snow the melt.
Thankfully we do not have snow! LOL! Definitely going to have to invest in some inexpensive agility equipment to help train my boys. But, oh my goodness, I’m becoming addicted to Barn Hunt!!