What is Rally Obedience?

Rally Obedience or "Rally-O" is a dog sport based on traditional Obedience. The judge gives the command "Forward" and the dog and handler complete the course on their own, moving continuously through a Rally course of 10-20 stations, depending on their competition level.  Each of the stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill to be performed. Some of the skills include: heeling around cones, heeling speed changes, turns, circles, pivots, reverse direction, fronts and finishes. Courses are designed by the judge and are different at every trial.  Handlers receive a course map from the judge and can walk the course, without their dog, prior to the start of their class.

Reasons to do Rally Obedience or "Rally-O"

AKC Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience in which each requires teamwork and similar performance skills.

Rally-O is a wonderful introduction to the sport of Obedience for dogs and their handlers.

Rally scoring is not as rigorous as traditional Obedience.

Novice and Advanced level handlers may talk, praise, pat their legs, clap their hands, and use multiple commands and/or signals to encourage their dogs throughout the rally course.  Handlers in the Excellent level can do all forms of encouragement but are not permitted to slap their legs or clap their hands.

Rally jump heights are lower than Obedience so it gives the veteran dog a chance to stay active.

Rally Novice, which is performed entirely off leash, gives the inexperience, young or shy dogs a chance to gain ring experience.

Rally is scored more on the basis of teamwork than strict precision.

Rally strengthens the dog and handler bond and improves attention because vocal praise and signals are allowed.

There are four levels of AKC Rally:

• Novice - (RN title) - Dog is on leash, 10-15 stations.

• Advanced - (RA title) - Dog is off leash, 12-17 stations, one jump in course.

• Excellent - (RE title) - Dog is off leash, 15-20 stations, two jumps in course.

• Rally Advanced Excellent - (RAE title) - Dog and handler must qualify 10 times in both the Rally Advanced B class and the Rally Excellent B class at the same trial. 

Classes

RALLY CLASS:

Instructor: Laura Smart Assistant: Nancy Wright 7:00-8:00 Limit: 12 students
This class will work on Novice and Advanced with a touch of Excellent.

Registration:

CALL OR E-MAIL DEAN: BenCedar@aol.com 260-490-5268 TO REGISTER FOR ALL CLASSES.  ALL CLASSES REQUIRE A $10 Fee AND $30 OR 30 Paw Points.  When requesting a class have the following information ready: