I met Aleta on a recommendation from a friend years ago when I was looking for someone who taught Barn Hunt.  My first impression was, I like this lady!  She is fun to be around, extremely knowledgeable about the rules and is not afraid to make recommendations on how you can improve your dog’s hunting ability. The one-on-one training sessions are invaluable.   Her ability to read dogs is spot on.  She explains how the odor of the rat is moving around the barn – circulation of the air, etc. and why the dog is hunting the way he/she is hunting.  How you should step back, be quiet and watch your dog work, and shares how the dog is acting as he hones in on the rat.   All this knowledge is extremely valuable for when you go into the ring.   I decided to enter my Std. Poodle in his first Novice trials in Dec. 2023, and he placed 1^st in both trials. Happy Hunting, Theresa Myers, Poodlemum to Raven, TDN, FITB

Aleta understands the game of Barn Hunt better than anyone I have met. She also is a brilliant teacher, who can communicate to handlers how to get the best out of themselves and their dogs, while having fun in the process. Aleta is that rare person who can TEACH what she knows. She is NICE to people, to dogs, and to rats. 

Renee Glover

Aleta is the best Barn Hunt trainer.  Period.  My bulldog not only loves the sport, but she absolutely loves Aleta and her training style.  As a newer competitor in the sport, Aleta has been so incredibly supportive.  She has so many tips and tricks up her sleeve and I’ve learned so much in the short period of time we’ve been training with her.  This is hands down our favorite training session of the week and I wouldn’t consider training anywhere else.  

Danielle Angel, Powhatan, VA

I appreciated that Aleta helped me develop my skills in understanding how my dog was hunting and how to support him. Its so much more enjoyable to step back and let your dog do the hunting then to walk around pointing at places and telling your dog to check there. Aleta was very insightful how she taught me to be a more observant and supportive handler.

I so appreciated that she was always there for me even when I was discouraged. She was always willing to listen and give advice.

My dogs progressed to be the #2 and #3 dogs for their breed thanks to her help. They are both at the master level. Besides lessons, Aleta also had simulated trials which were both fun and educational.

My dogs love Aleta! They have so much fun in her classes. And we learn so much when we get to work on tricky things till we get them right. Claudia Drenan

I can’t recommend Aleta highly enough for anyone looking to train their dog in Barn Hunt. Before we started training with Aleta, I was unsure how my dog would take to such a specific activity. However, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable.

Aleta possesses not only a deep understanding of dog behavior and training techniques but also an incredible patience and passion for her work. She approaches the training with a tailored plan that suits my dog’s unique personality and learning pace, making the whole experience enjoyable and stress-free for both of us.

Under her guidance, my dog has developed skills essential for barn hunting. It’s been a joy to watch my furry friend become more confident and enthusiastic during each session. The progress we’ve made is a testament to Aleta’s expertise and dedication.

Thanks to Aleta, barn hunt is now an activity that my dog and I eagerly look forward to. It’s not just about the training; it’s about building a stronger bond with my dog, and for that, I am truly grateful. Anyone considering barn hunt should definitely reach out to Aleta.”

Meg & Stormy

My Border Terrier and I trained with Aleta for Barn Hunt. We found Aleta after my dog had begun to be difficult to direct and even more difficult to separate from the rat tube after he found a rat. Aleta knew exactly what to do with us! She taught me to give fewer, clearer directions, to trust the hunting of the rat entirely to my dog, and to concentrate on being able to safely get him to release the rat tube. Her training changed us from a confused handler and a dog with an out-of-control prey drive into a team that knew their roles and trusted each other to do them. We raced through the next levels! Aleta is great at what she does. She’s a keen observer and tailors her work to the individual dog and handler. And she makes it all fun! I don’t think you could find a better instructor.

Lee Moore Grohse

I have been training my dogs with Aleta for close to 20 years in various dog sports. (Dock Diving, Barn Hunt and NASDA) The training techniques are specific to each dog. NO cookie cutter approach. She is knowledgeable, patient and FUN.

I highly recommend Aleta, your dog will THANK YOU!

J. Thomas
Bon Air, VA

I first met Aleta to learn about the sport of Barn Hunt. I quickly discovered she was much more than a Barn Hunt trainer.  Aleta has the unique ability to read dog and handler and come up with solutions. She does not use a “one size fits all” approach and I appreciate her passion toward building the dog’s confidence, holding both handler and dog accountable for their job and appropriate handler assistance where needed. That approach builds a lasting team in the long run across multiple dog sport venues. It’s a 3 hour trip to Aleta’s for me, but well worth it!

Karen McGary

I have been bringing my Lakeland terrier Yeti to Aleta for barn hunt training since she was six months old. Through Aleta’s expertise, Yeti has become an expert barn hunter! She always gets so excited to come to Aleta’s, and I know I can always count on Aleta to coach, provide feedback, and problem solve with me. There’s no better place to learn barn hunt! We are clients for life!

Cant say enough about Aleta and her training. My dogs absolutely adore her and they adore barn hunt. Cant wait to see what this year brings. Aleta has changed my perspective on my relationship with my pups, for the better. She encourages a brilliant time while holding me and therefore holding them accountable. Always encouraging me to push my perception of their boundaries. Finding joy in every moment truly provides an amazing enrichment opportunity all around. Their life, my life is so much better for it.

In 2019 I decided to enter Barn Hunt trials at our National Specialty. I needed to find someone to help me. The closest person I knew was Aleta, and she was three hours away! Two trips to
Aleta and four dogs qualified in every run they had, at the National! Over the couple of years, under Aleta’s guidance, we have earned a RATS, RATM, RATCHX and a RATCH on four different
dogs! Currently, the youngest dog has easily earned a RATO. Aleta can sort through various challenges a dog encounters. She also does a great job in teaching the handler how to support and/or stay out of the dog’s way. She teaches good handling habits. It’s also beneficial that Aleta is also a BH judge and regularly trials herself, handling a variety of breeds. Her current training barn is spacious. Rats are well cared for and treated with respect.

 

Aleta discovered my dachshund Sundog at one of our first trials as a Novice.  She must have seen some potential in us as a team because soon we were taking weekly lessons.  She convinced me to let my other two dachshunds try their noses at it as well and soon they all were trialing and earned Novice and Open titles.  But Sundog showed the most aptitude and gift for finding rats in tubes hidden in bales of hay.  As with most green dogs, he had some issues with the tunnel but with Aleta’s help we worked through it.  Sundog now is working on RATCHX53 and is in the top 10 of ALL dogs in Barn Hunt.  She taught us the joy of hunting as a team and how to let Sundog be successful in the ring.

My Great Dane and I had a wonderful experience training with Aleta.  I took her for Barn Hunt training when she was 14 weeks old, when she didn’t realize she was going to get too big to go through the tunnel.  Aleta made the experience very positive for Spirit and me.  Spirit loved doing the tunnel and I think of all the sports we did, she loved barn hunt the most.  I honestly believe her love for the sport was because of the amazing training she had with Aleta. I would highly recommend training with Aleta.

I’ve taken my Border Collies to Aleta for several years now for Barn Hunt training. She has an excellent rapport with my dogs and they love her! Thanks to her expertise, her patience and guidance, my dogs are doing well in this sport and have earned several titles! Highly recommend!

After attending a Barn Hunt workshop out of state, I knew my puppy was interested but I left apprehensive and feared I would NQ before ever leaving the start box. There was far more to the sport than I realized. Thankfully, I found Aleta. A patient coach, she has helped me navigate the rules, devise strategies and more importantly helped me strengthen my relationship with my dogs, teaching me to trust them and let them lead vice thinking a nervous helicopter owner would be better at locating the rats. In turn, I now have four goldens trialing in barn hunt with different levels of drive, working style and tells all of which Aleta helped me translate into a successful dog & handler partnership. Truth be told though, I’m not sure if they love the game or truly just love coming to see Aleta & helping her find her rats that somehow keep getting lost in the straw. No cookie or toy is valued higher by my crew than getting a praise & a smooch from her.

Aleta is an exceptional barn hunt instructor. I was struggling with my first barn hunt dog when I started taking lessons with her. She found ways to help me understand my dogs’ signals and body language so that we could have success in barn hunt trials. Ultimately we achieved our RATCH! I certainly couldn’t have accomplished that without her guidance. Now I am working with two new dogs, and Aleta helps me relate to each in the way they respond to best. I drive three hours each way for lessons with her. To me, it’s very well worth it.

Griffin, Emerald and Tiki love training with Aleta!  She helps them focus on finding the rats and indicating their location.   While helping me improve my handling skills. Such as watching for subtle alert behaviors when a rat is found or when an area is clear.  There were a lot of things I was missing before we started training with Aleta. Her property is beautiful and completely fenced.  Recommend 10/10.

Aleta is a wonderful barn hunt instructor.  I have been taking my Sheltie, Potter, and my Miniature American Shepherd, Stunner, to her for over a year.  She is great with my dogs and they both love her.  She is so knowledgeable, provides clear instruction and she always makes sure that my dogs have a good experience at every lesson.  I highly recommend her as an instructor.

We have loved barn hunt training with Aleta, she has an extensive amount of experience and has helped all of my dogs compete at higher levels. 

We have had the pleasure of working with Aleta for the past two years since we first met her at a Barn Hunt clinic. Aleta’s passion for dogs and Barn Hunt is contagious, and she has a wealth of Barn Hunt knowledge and experience. During our time working with Aleta, all three of my dogs and I have all made tremendous progress with Barn Hunt and have had so much fun in the process! For example, she has patiently helped our dog Archer overcome his fear of tunnels and climbing hay bales by building his confidence and identifying areas I needed to improve my own handling. She has helped me reframe training setbacks as positive opportunities for me to learn and improve. Thanks to her guidance and support, Archer is not only tunneling but has nearly completed his senior title!

Aleta is an exceptional barn hunt instructor who brings a positive and insightful approach to every session. Her natural understanding of canine behavior sets her apart, creating an enriching learning experience for both dogs and their handlers. Aleta’s humor and passion for teaching shine through, making each lesson enjoyable and educational. With her guidance, I’ve witnessed tremendous progress in my dogs’ skills and confidence. Grateful for her expertise and positive energy, I wholeheartedly recommend Aleta to fellow dog owners. She truly enhances the barn hunt journey.

 

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