Barn Hunt

What is Barn Hunt®?

Simplistically, we often call it “hide and seek for dogs”. If it was just that, your dog wouldn’t need you and you wouldn’t need a training class – you could just let your dog go, and wait until he/she has finished! But BH is much more than that. It is a team sport – to be successful both you and your dog have to do their part. And that’s how I like to run my classes. We jointly train your dog to do its job, and I try to train you to do your part as well.

Barn Hunt® and the BHA logo and design are registered trademarks of the Barn Hunt Association, Inc.

Requirements for training

At Branchwater we have a list of required vaccinations for boarding and training. Those vaccines are as follows: Rabies, Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus -2 and -1), parvo, parainfluenza (abrev: DHPP or DA2PPV), and Leptospirosis Vaccine.

All students are required to provide us with proof for the above listed vaccinations before attending any classes on the property.

Currently all classes are full. If you are interested in joining please email us with your info and which classes you are interested in and we will add you onto our email list.

Grace King and Sally Josselyn Classes

Dates: November 3rd, 17th, December 1st, 8th, 15th, January 5th, 12th, 26th Mondays
Price: $200 / 8 weeks No classes: Nov. 10th barn hunt trial, Nov. 24th Thanksgiving, Dec. 22nd Christmas, Dec. 29th New years, Jan. 19th barn hunt trial.

Classes/Applications: Please click on the underlined (blue text for mobile users) text below for your class time to get your application.

3:00pm – 4:15 pm: Intro – Senior class (FULL)
4:30pm – 5:45pm: Intro – Senior class (FULL)
6:00pm – 7:15pm: Intro – Senior class (FULL)

Katie Johnson Classes

Dates: November 4th, 18th, December 2nd, 9th, 16th, January 6th, 13th, 27th Tuesdays
Price: $200 / 8 Weeks No classes: Nov. 11th barn hunt trial, Nov. 25th Thanksgiving, Dec. 23rd Christmas, Dec. 30th New years, Jan. 20th barn hunt trial.

Classes/Applications:
Classes are OPEN FOR NEW STUDENTS INTRO/NOVICE LEVEL TEAMS ONLY.
We are accepting 4 teams (dog/handler) per class time. Please click on the underlined (blue text for mobile users) text below for your class time to get your application.

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Novice – Open Level (FULL)
7:45pm – 8:45pm: Novice – Open Level (FULL)

Doreen Suchting and Morgan Staab Classes

Classes/Applications:

Please click on the underlined (blue text for mobile users) text below for your class time to get your application.

1:00pm- 2:15pm: Novice – Senior Level (FULL)
2:30pm -3:30pm: Novice – Senior Level (FULL)
3:45pm – 5:00pm: Novice – Senior Level (FULL)
6:15pm – 7:30pm: Open – Master Level (FULL)

Colin Ratcliffe Classes

Dates: November 5th, 19th, December 3rd, 10th, 17th, January 7th, 14th, 28th Wednesdays
Price: $200/ 8 weeks No classes: Nov. 12th barn hunt trial, Nov. 26th Thanksgiving, Dec. 24th Christmas, Dec. 31st New years, Jan. 21st barn hunt trial.

Classes/Applications:
All classes are working on skills and Handling. Please click on the underlined (blue text for mobile users) text below for your class time to get your application.

1:30pm – 3:30pm: Senior – Masters Level (FULL)
3:30pm – 5:00pm: Senior – Masters Level (FULL)
5:30pm – 7:00pm: National Competing Level Only (FULL)
7:00pm – 8:30pm: Novice to Senior Level (FULL)

Our Philosophy

We believe that if you want to compete at the highest level, you need to start training for it from the beginning. For example, your dog does not need to be able to work independently at the Instinct and Novice levels, but even for beginner teams we will do some distance handling in class. Expect to be challenged! That way WHEN you make it to Master’s class, you can modify your dog’s skills rather than trying to un-teach them old ways and then teach them something new.

But don’t be worried that classes may be too advanced. We recognize that while we will challenge you it is also important to train at an appropriate level, and we try to adjust our teaching to match what you and your dog need. If Barn Hunt is your first venture into dog sports, you will need different training than someone who is experienced at other dog sports and is trying out Barn Hunt as an additional activity.

In each class we accommodate beginners through more advanced teams, modifying content appropriately. Classes are a combination of timed run-throughs, and training drills. We will ask you to do some homework which could be dog-specific practice, or looking at a particular BHA rule. You will soon find that as we learn the rules it will make you much more comfortable in the ring and you won’t be worried that you will do something wrong to NQ your dog. Less worry leads to more success, fun and enjoyment, and ultimately THAT’S WHAT IT IS REALLY ABOUT.

Meet our Instructors

Colin

Colin is a self-professed codger who has over many decades enjoyed both judging and competing in the ring. In his professional life, he was a college professor and an engineering consultant who has done some amazing things totally unrelated to dogs 😊. In the dog world he has “done” Barn Hunt, conformation, agility, obedience, rally, scent work, trick dog, CGC, and other stuff. “OK”, as he says, “none of them very well”, and that’s why he understands your worries and concerns. “We all want to do the best we can, but not everyone can be a superstar in every dog sport! If you are a superstar – fantastic. Otherwise, welcome to my world!”

Colin loves dogs. He reports that: “Until recently we had four dogs tripping us up around the house. Sadly, we recently lost three within a year (all old, one died from heart disease and two from cancer), and the sole survivor now lives with my daughter Bridget in Manhattan. I now only have one new dog at home – a cute 2-year old scruff Russel terrier, Pippin. He’s a wonderful family pet, and he has been quite a challenge for barn hunting. I had to devise a special training program for him to get him hunting, and now we are working in Senior – yes, that evil class level people often get stuck in for ever! I was there for 12 months with my heart dog, Splash (Smooth Fox Terrier) before he finally qualified and then succumbed to prostate cancer. So yes, I understand your pain in Senior!”

Doreen

After having her first border collie over forty years ago, Doreen fell in love with the breed and has since built up a foundation of breeding dogs that are hardworking and kind. Doreen first started with using them as herding dogs for cattle, and began teaching obedience classes in the early 90’s. Following that, she ventured into the dog agility world and began instructing and competing. She competed on a national level multiple times, and has since been able to travel all over the country to compete in various canine sports with the dogs she’s bred.

She has most recently fallen in love with a newer sport, Barn Hunt. She began competing in 2019 with her dog, Kindle, aka the “one toed wonder”, aka “BWBC Set the World on Fire,” under the guidance of Colin Ratcliffe. Kindle took to Barn Hunt like a natural, climbed through the rankings and hasn’t slowed down since. Like her name implies Kindle has lit up every ring she has entered and has fueled Doreen to always strive for more! Doreen and Kindle’s first time competing at the national level was 2021 at the Barn Hunt National, and they finished in 19th place out of 160+ dogs.

At the 2022 Barn Hunt National Doreen received a Bronze Medal for placing 3rd overall in the Grand Nationals class, for the Team event, Kindle and Doreen, alongside fellow handler Janet Gauntt and dog Johnny B, placed 13th out of 60+ teams that competed. For Hurdles, Doreen and Kindle placed 33rd out of 144 dogs. Based on all the placings, Doreen and Kindle achieved a Silver Medal in Versatility.

At the 2023 nationals Doreen and Kindle placed 24th in Grand nationals out of 115+ dogs, 12th in hurdles, 9th in teams ran with Tracy Staley and her Branchwater Border Collie, Spell (from our 2015 breeding of Clover and Wolfie). Considering all of the scores in the games classes at Nationals, Doreen and Kindle ended in 6th place overall for games. At the end of the 2023 Nationals Doreen and Kindle placed 10th in Versatility out of 174 dogs.

Last year in 2024, Doreen and Kindle after many hours practicing with our group and instructor Colin Ratcliffe, went to win big and that they did! Kindle placed 26th out of the top 50 dogs, with a placement of 5th for Grand Nationals, 24th in Hurdles, 8th in Teams partnered with Colin Ratcliffe and his Russell Terrier, Eowyn. The biggest win from nationals was a 1st place in versatility out of 163 dogs that qualified, which Doreen gives credit to her late husband Hank for.

Barn hunt for Doreen is more than just another sport for dogs. She was pushed by her Husband, Hank (who never really gave much thought to the other dog sports she’s competed in over the years), to get involved with it and then when baby Kindle came into the world with a cumulative three toes on her back feet, she knew this dog needed an outlet and a job.

The answer for Doreen and Kindle, was Barn Hunt.

Grace

Hello everyone, if you’re reading this, you’re probably where I was five years ago. Trying to find a dog sport that both you and your furry friend will enjoy, but finding that right class with the right teacher or teachers can be tough! But don’t panic, we’re all here to help you on this journey.

My name is Grace King, and I’ve been teaching with my Co-Teacher, Sally Joslyn, for a year now. Before I started teaching, I worked under Colin Ratcliffe for four years straight! Learning the ropes of Barn Hunt with hands-on experience in the ring with a lot of wise coaching.

Going back to the very beginning, I attended my first workshop with my bloodhound Rosie in 2020 (who sadly passed away in March of this year), who definitely had her own opinions about rats. After a few years of dedication, she managed to get her novice and open titles with decent times. Even though the rat wasn’t in her best interest, every once in a while, my girl would pull through for me and gently tap them. However, Rosie plainly adored coming to trials and meeting new people or playing with old friends.

I currently have a border collie named Five, who has shown an immense amount of love for this sport by getting his novice title and two open Qs while racking up 180Cz8 points in his second trial ever. While I’ve also been training an older border collie for three years now, named Glee, who is in masters with a few Qs. You might also see me with a project dog, who is shown in the picture above. I’ve also assisted in titling a variety of other dogs… whom were and are mostly border collies.

My end goal is to make this class a safe and fun environment for both the dog and the handler. Whether your dog loves barnhunt for the rat aspect or your dog simply has a blast running around the ring, Grace King and Sally Joslyn are here to work through it all! I may not have the answer to all the problems in the world, but I will do my best to accommodate every single owner and their dogs’ needs.

“It always seems impossible till it’s done.” : by Nelson Mandela

Katie

Katie has been involved in Barn Hunt since 2016 training with various breeds over the years. She has worked with Branchwater since before the start of their Barn Hunt program and had the pleasure of taking Kindle to a few trials at the start of her Barn Hunt journey.

Katie is the owner of a 12 year old Border Collie, BWBC Something to Talk About 2 “Babble”. Babble holds her RATM and crazy8’s bronze titles. Babble attended Barn Hunt Nationals as part of a team in 2024 and placed in the top 15 teams. This was her retirement run, due to an injury Babble does not trial on a regular basis, but still gets to hunt because she LOVES to find rats.

BWBC Written in The Stars “Fate” is owned by Doreen, but loved (and spoiled) by Katie. This 2.5 yr old is full of spark and ready for anything. Fate is learning a lot and trying new things. She is just getting started in Barn Hunt and is working toward her Open Title.

Morgan

Bio to come…

Sally

Sally Josselyn has been training and showing her dogs for over 35 years. She has achieved national rankings in obedience, flyball, and agility with her Australian shepherds. Sally has also put multiple agility championships in USDAA and ASCA on 5 different Aussies. Wanting to try life and training with a small dog, border collie papillon (borderpap) mix Monkey was added to the pack in 2019. With the pandemic in full swing and indoor training classes cancelled, Sally sought out an activity that she and Monkey could participate in safely. They attended a barn hunt seminar presented by Colin Ratcliffe at Branchwater Training Center and Monkey showed a real affinity for the sport. Sally signed Monkey up for classes at the first opportunity and they’ve enjoyed the sport ever since. Monkey made her competitive debut in the fall of 2020 and has since earned her RATCHX11, REMX4, and CZ8P3G. Sally is also training older Aussie Baru in barn hunt and it’s been a good learning experience for both of them because Baru works very differently. He has his RATO title and has two legs towards his Senior title.
Sally has previously taught obedience, agility, and flyball for Oriole Dog Training Club and now she’s bringing her experience as a trainer and instructor to Branchwater Training Center.