Bluenose Rat Sports

05/22/2026

🚨 WCERA WORKSHOP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 🚨

Registration is officially live for Canada’s first Introduction to WCERA workshop at Bluenose Rat Sports! 🇨🇦🐾

📅 June 13 & 14
📍 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
🐕 3 sessions per day (9:00, 12:30, 4:00)
👥 Limited to 6 dogs per session

This workshop is designed for all experience levels, whether you’re completely new to dog sports or already competing. We’ll focus on confidence building, teamwork, problem solving, and clear communication through fun and engaging WCERA-style activities.

💲 Pricing:
• $75 for your first dog
• $60 for each additional dog

If registering a second dog, please fill out a separate form and choose a different time slot unless someone else will be handling one of the dogs. Some activities make it difficult for one person to run multiple dogs in the same session.

✔ Includes a take-home scent kit so you can continue practicing at home!

If enough interest is received, we’ll open an additional Friday evening session.

Register here:
https://form.jotform.com/bluenoseratsports/introduction-to-wcera-workshop

There’s no escaping now 🔐

05/22/2026

🚨 WCERA Workshop Registration Opens TONIGHT at 7:00 PM! 🚨

We’ve been blown away by the excitement around Canada’s first Introduction to WCERA workshop and can’t wait to welcome everyone to Bluenose Rat Sports on June 13 & 14! 🇨🇦🐾

🕖 Registration opens tonight at 7:00 PM
📍 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
🐀 3 sessions per day (9:00, 12:30, 4:00)
👥 Limited to 6 dogs per session

This workshop is designed to be beginner friendly and fully inclusive for all experience levels, whether your dog is brand new to dog sports or already competing. We’ll focus on clear communication, confidence building, problem solving, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog through fun, rewarding training games.

💲 Pricing:
• $75 for your first dog
• $60 for each additional dog

If registering a second dog, please fill out a separate form and choose a different time slot unless you have another person available to run one of the dogs in the same session. Some of the activities will make it difficult for one handler to comfortably run multiple dogs within a single slot.

✔ Includes a take-home wintergreen scent kit so you can continue practicing at home!

If interest is high enough, we’ll also open a Friday evening session 👀

Registration link:
https://form.jotform.com/bluenoseratsports/introduction-to-wcera-workshop

05/21/2026

🔐🐾 What exactly *is* WCERA? 🐾🔐

WCERA (Wildogs Canine Escape Room Association) is a dog sport built around the idea of escape rooms, but designed for dogs and handlers working together as a team. Instead of simply searching for odor or rats, teams solve interactive games involving scent work, puzzles, retrievals, obstacles, clues, and problem-solving challenges.

Every game has a different theme and objective, which keeps things exciting and makes each run feel like its own little adventure.

The following is an overview of the games we will be focusing on for the introduction workshop June 14th & 15th. For more details, check out the rule book here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZVES7O8GQ3Fd5L4w1NLn4FCjA2-Jav19/view?usp=drive_link

🗝️ Lock & Key
Your dog searches for scented keys hidden around the room so you can unlock locks and “escape” before time runs out. Higher levels add distractors, multiple hides, and puzzles to solve.

🧩 Puzzled
Dogs locate scented puzzle pieces while handlers work to solve the puzzle before the clock expires. It combines scent work with handler problem-solving and teamwork.

🚪 BreakOut
A physical challenge game where handlers solve clues and direct their dogs through the correct obstacle sequence. Think tunnels, platforms, mats, planks, and interactive obstacle choices.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Ship
A retrieval-based game where your dog retrieves tools or objects while navigating “the plank” to help free you from the pirates. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds 😂

🌲 TrailBound
An outdoor adventure-style game where dogs search for quarry (rats) while handlers locate lost items along a trail. It combines hunting instincts, teamwork, and environmental problem solving.

One of the coolest parts about WCERA is that it’s designed to feel immersive and creative instead of repetitive. Rooms can have themes, stories, props, and different layouts, making every run unique.

The sport is also incredibly beginner-friendly. Nursery and Level 1 are specifically designed to help dogs build confidence and learn the game in a positive, supportive environment.

Whether your dog loves scent work, problem solving, retrieving, obstacles, or just spending time working with you, WCERA has something for every team.

🇨🇦 And now Canada is finally getting its first chance to try it!

Who thinks their dog would LOVE this kind of challenge? 👇

05/20/2026

🔐🐀 Introduction to WCERA Workshop Weekend 🐀🔐

SAVE THE DATE!

📅 June 13th & 14th
📍 Bluenose Rat Sports - Lunenburg, NS

Registration opens Friday, May 22nd at 7:00pm!

Come learn about WCERA (Wildogs Canine Escape Room Association), the newest dog sport at Bluenose Rat Sports and the first WCERA club in Canada! 🇨🇦🐾

This workshop weekend will introduce teams to:
🧩 Puzzled (odor based)
🔐 Lock & Key (odor based)
📚 Break Out (obedience based)
🏴‍☠️ Pirate Ship (retrieval based)
🐀 Trail Bound (rat based)

Suitable for:
✔ completely beginner dogs
✔ scent sport dogs
✔ rat sport dogs
✔ experienced sport teams looking for a new challenge

The odor-based games (Puzzled & Lock and Key) are designed to be fully inclusive for all experience levels. Training methods and setups will be adapted to the individual team, whether your dog is:
• completely new to odor
• already imprinted on wintergreen
• building confidence and motivation
• working on problem solving
• strengthening duration indications
• learning to work independently
• proofing skills in new environments

This means beginner teams can safely start foundations without feeling behind, while experienced teams can continue progressing their existing skills with more advanced handling and indication work.

SCHEDULE:
We will be running 3 two-hour sessions per day:
🕘 9:00am
🕧 12:30pm
🕓 4:00pm

Each session will be capped at 6 dogs to allow for plenty of working time and individualized instruction. There is enough time between sessions to allow for running overtime as this is our first WCERA workshop and we are still experimenting with different training methods and setups!

If there is enough interest, we will add an additional Friday evening session.

COST:
$75 per dog

Your registration includes a take-home scent kit with everything you need to continue practicing the scent work introduced during the workshop.

🐀 NEW TO RATS?
For anyone registering whose dog has never been introduced to rats through a lesson or workshop (at any club), a discounted private Intro to Rat Sports lesson will be available during the month of June.

These lessons are ideally booked before the workshop weekend, but are not mandatory. Details on the discount will be provided upon registration confirmation.

🔗 Registration Link:
https://form.jotform.com/bluenoseratsports/introduction-to-wcera-workshop

Spots are expected to fill quickly!

05/07/2026

🐾🔐 Introducing WCERA to Bluenose Rat Sports 🔐🐾

After spending the winter in the US learning, competing, and training in WCERA Wildogs Canine Escape Room Association, I’m SO excited to finally begin introducing it here at Bluenose Rat Sports — and become the first club in Canada to offer it! 🇨🇦

If you’ve never heard of WCERA (pronounced CERA) before, think:
🧩 problem solving
🐕 teamwork
🧠 mental challenge
🏃 confidence building
…and a little bit of chaos and creativity mixed together.

Dogs work through themed “escape room” style games involving obstacles, puzzles, scent work, targeting, movement skills, and handler communication. Some games are fast-paced and exciting, while others require thoughtful teamwork and strategy. And yes… some of the games even involve rats 🐀😉

Because this is such a new sport for our area, I’m planning an INTRO WORKSHOP to give teams a chance to:
• learn the basics of WCERA
• try different game elements
• build foundational skills
• see how the sport works before jumping into regular training

This workshop will be beginner friendly and suitable for dogs with varying levels of experience. Whether you compete in dog sports already or just want something fun and mentally engaging to do with your dog, WCERA has something for everyone.

After the workshop, I’ll begin offering ongoing private and semi-private WCERA lessons for teams wanting to continue training and eventually trialing in the sport.

If you’d be interested, comment below or send me a message! I’m currently planning dates and trying to gauge interest before organizing sessions. 👀

After this initial workshop, I will open up my availability for other clubs and facilities to have me host workshops. If you want to get on the list early to learn about this fun new sport, please feel free to reach out!

04/02/2026

The new Happy Ratters rule book has been published! Find it, along with a summary of changes from the previous version here:

Rules Happy Ratters General Rules and Guidelines New rules in action Update July 2025 PDF OF NEW RULES: Happy Ratter Rulebook 2025 Final_rev 1 July 2025   July Changes: removes the rule that dogs without registration have 7 days to send it in, dogs must be registered to compete.  

03/23/2026

🇨🇦 True North Rat League is BACK! 🇨🇦

We’re kicking things off again starting April 15 for another round of friendly competition between GTG Rat Sports and Moncton Rat Sports 🔥🐀

This session will run for 6 weeks, with a mix of formats to keep things fun, challenging, and engaging for everyone:

• 3 weeks – Rats! Canada style
• 3 weeks – Happy Ratters style

Schedule:
• Novice / Advanced: Wednesday nights https://www.picktime.com/c/sYrFXH0efpuViAxu7ZOEh
• Master / Champion: NEW NIGHT → Thursday nights (previously Friday!) https://www.picktime.com/c/31V21fXSlIk34JKd5pVL3n
• Start time: 6:00 PM
• Price: $20 for 4 runs

Whether you're chasing titles or just love the game, this is such a fun way to build skills, gain experience, and be part of a little inter-club rivalry 😉

Not quite ready yet? No problem!

Between now and April 15, we’ll be running Thursday night league-style game nights to help everyone get back into the groove after the winter break ❄️➡️🐀 (book here: https://www.picktime.com/c/75peEiiDLLyY4QqjAiEbkT )

These are a great chance to:
• shake off the rust
• practice different games
• build confidence before league starts

New to ratting or been thinking about trying it?
The next few weeks are the perfect time to get started! Book an intro session now so you can get up to speed and be ready to jump into league when it begins 💪🐕

More details and sign-up info coming soon — but mark your calendars and get ready 🙌

03/08/2026

Huge thank you to Delaware K9 Academy for inviting me down to teach their very first Happy Ratters workshop! 🐀🐾

It was such a fun day working with an incredible group of teams. Every dog and handler made amazing progress, and it was so cool to watch everyone start to figure out the game and build confidence together.

I’m so excited to follow along on all of your ratting journeys and see where this sport takes you and your dogs next. Thank you for such a warm welcome, I can’t wait to come back! 💙

03/07/2026

I have some exciting news to share! 🐀

I’m officially a judge for Rats! Canada.

Rat sports have been such an important part of my journey with dogs, and being able to step into this role feels really special. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help support the growth of the sport in Atlantic Canada!

I’m looking forward to judging future trials and continuing to bring everything I learn back to Bluenose Rat Sports.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, especially to my wonderful judge mentors Dale and Lisa, and to all the amazing dogs who make this sport so fun.

02/24/2026

🐀✨ Let’s Get Back At It! ✨🐀

We’re officially coming out of our winter break on March 18th and what better way to kick things off than with a fun way to dust off the cobwebs and get back in the game? 👀

Entries are now OPEN for the Happy Rattaversary Extravaganza Trial hosted by GTG Rat Sports 🎉🐀
This event marks 1 year of Happy Ratters in Nova Scotia and is bound to be an amazing time!

But if you’re feeling a little rusty, or this is your first trial, I’ve got you covered with this tentative plan👇

🐾 March 21st – Welcome Back / Trial Prep Workshop
A low-pressure, supportive session to refresh your handling, and rebuild confidence after the break. Whether you’re brand new or returning to trialing, this is the perfect reset.

🐾 March 22nd – Fun Match
Put it all into practice! Run through games in a trial-like setting, test your skills, and see where you and your dog are at, without the pressure of a formal trial.

This weekend is all about:
✨ rebuilding confidence
✨ getting your timing back
✨ knocking off the winter rust
✨ and having FUN with your dog again

Whether you’re planning to enter the Rattaversary trial or just want to get back into the swing of things, this is your chance 💙

Spots will be limited, more details + sign up info coming soon 👀 Comment below to let me know if you're interested in coming!

Let’s make this season a good one 🔥🐀