Local Canines, Humans Compete In Agility, Barn Hunt Trials
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The weekend of July 23, was a busy one for Kosciusko residents competing with their dogs in Agility and Barn Hunt trials in the region.
Agility is a CPE-sanctioned event where handlers guide their dogs through complex courses with jumps, tunnels, weave poles and a variety of other obstacles. Dogs compete for time in different classes based on height. Barn Hunt is a sanctioned event focusing on nose and scent work. The dogs search for live rats in aerated tubes hidden in large courses constructed with hay bales. Dogs compete both for time and accurately alerting their handlers to the location of a rat.
Keith Lang and “Bella” attended a CPE Agility trial in Indianapolis. Bella qualified in four of eight runs, finishing with two first-place and two second-place finishes. Gracie Revere and “Baxter” attended the same trial and qualified in eight of eight runs. All were first-place finishes. This was the first competitive trial for both Lang and Revere.
Tarra Freel and “Malibu” competed at a barn hunt trial in Muncie in the open division. Malibu finished with a first place and high in class meaning all rats were found and in the fastest time. Pam Cassel accompanied Freel to this trial with her dogs “Special” and “Merle.” Merle qualified in the instinct division with a time of 9.65 seconds. Special competed and finished with a first-place victory.
All participants train at The Dog House near North Webster. Anyone interested in learning these canine sporting events can contact The Dog House or stop in to observe any of the agility or barn hunt practices.