Rally Classes
Rally Obedience ~ General Information
Rally is a wonderful introduction to the sport of obedience for dogs and owners. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing, executing the sign description before moving onto the next sign.
Rally Obedience is a companion sport to in various venues including AKC, APDT Rally-O, UKC, and ASCA. It requires teamwork between dog and handler. Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler proceed at a brisk, but normal pace, through a course of designated stations. Ideally, there should be a sense of teamwork with the dog under control within a 2-foot area while at the handler’s left side. Each station has a sign designating a particular skill that is to be performed by the team before proceeding to the next station.
Rally provides an excellent introduction to the sport of obedience for new dogs and handlers, as well as, an opportunity for veteran dogs to remain active. It is also an opportunity for shy or anti-social dogs to get ring experience without worrying about being examined by a judge. This venue can also provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition. A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler.
Many dogs enjoy this change from the usual silent heeling of traditional obedience as their handlers can clap hands, talk, whistle (even sing!) to them throughout the entire course without incurring penalty. Those who are familiar with agility trials will recognize the pre-class “walk-through” and the challenge of working with their dog partners in an almost dance-like flow from one station to another.
The levels of instruction offered are as follows:
- Novice – on-leash exercises that demonstrate the dog’s understanding of basic commands such as sit, stay, down, come and heel position.
- Advanced and Excellent – a set of exercises performed off-leash that includes at least one jump and demonstrates more precise skill and coordination between the dog and handler.
Our Rally classes are not obedience training classes, but rather a familiarization with Rally, that will teach you about the sport, and the signs used in the routines. All levels will be covered. We will take a few signs each week, practice them, and then do a course including those signs each in class.
To participate, the dog should reasonable heel on-leash as well as know the commands sit, down and come.
Rally Obedience Classes Offered
Carson Dog Sports offers two levels of Rally Obedience classes:
