Rally Class Descriptions
Rally Novice
This class will introduce you and your dog the fun and energizing world of Rally! Rally is a fun way to reinforce the obedience behaviors learned in Beginner Obedience while building teamwork between you and your dog. This class is appropriate for dogs and handlers that have completed and are comfortable with beginning obedience skills. There will be 10-15 stations that vary from cone work, call fronts, turning 360 degrees, and changing paces paces during the course. The exercises are performed with your dog on a leash. Using positive training techniques, this class will build teamwork between you and your dog in a supportive environment. If you wish to compete, this class will prepare you and your dog for competition at the Novice level.
Rally Intermediate / Advanced
This class will continue to build yours and your dogs education in Rally skills and stations. This class in appropriate for dogs and handlers that have completed the Rally Novice Class and have earned at least 1 or more legs towards their AKC Rally Novice Title.
In our Rally Intermediate/Advanced Class, there will be 12 - 17 stations including a jump, left and right pivots, side steps, figure eights with distractions to name just a few at this level. The exercises are designed to increase yours and your dogs skills so that you can learn to complete a course off leash. If you wish to continue competing, this class will prepare you and your dog for competition at the Intermediate and then Advanced levels.
Rally Excellent/Masters
This class will build upon the skills you and your dog acquired in our Rally Intermediate/Advanced class. This class is appropriate for the serious competitor, willing to do the necessary study and training required at home as well as class. You and your dog must have completed the Rally Intermediate/Advanced Class and have earned at least 1 or more legs towards your AKC Rally Advanced Title. Dogs must be able to work reliably off leash around other dogs.
In our Rally Excellent/Masters Class, there will be 15 - 20 stations including 1 or 2 jumps, more technical and difficult stations such as heeling backwards, side by side spins, sending your dog away and recalls to mention just a few. This class will prepare you and your dog to compete at the Excellent and then Masters level.
Rally Techniques
This all levels course will focus on learning and differentiating between similar yet different rally signs at all levels and learning correct execution of each sign.
Getting Started in Rally
Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.
The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect "heel position" is not required. Any faults in traditional obedience that would be evaluated and scored as a one-point deduction or more should be scored the same in Rally, unless otherwise mentioned in the Rally Regulations. After the judge's "Forward" order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.
Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in these Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler's arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.
Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. In addition, rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition.