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Rally Obedience at AthleticDogs.com

RALLY!!!!!

Rally or Rally-O is a fun, exciting companion sport to AKC Obedience. Rally is a slightly less rigorous version of obedience, where the handler and dog team may work through the exercises at their own pace. The scoring is also less demanding – the team begins with the full 100 points with deductions for errors in the course. Retaining a score of 70 is necessary to achieve a qualifying score.

Rally trials consist of 10 to 20 exercise stations, depending on the level. The performance is timed, but the time is only relevant if two dogs achieve the same score (tie-breaker). The emphasis of Rally is on handler and dog communication. A perfect heel position is not required, but the judges are looking for clear teamwork between the handler and dog.

Rally is an excellent entry level dog sport but also provides an extra challenge for experienced obedience teams. For dog handlers fairly new to dog sports, Rally provides a great stepping stone to other sports because of the inherent opportunity to really develop the working relationship between you and your dog, even in competitive venues.

Competition Rally Levels

There are three levels of competition in AKC and UKC Rally Obedience: Novice, Advanced, and Excellent.

Novice

Novice is the entry level of Rally Obedience competition. All exercises are performed with the dog on-leash. Generally, a rally trial at the novice level consists of 10 to 15 exercise stations. At this level, the handler may use verbal commands, clap their hands, or pat their legs to encourage the dog through the course. The title to be earned at the Novice level is abbreviated RN. Novice rally exercises include:

• Changing Pace
• 360° Turns

Advanced

Advanced is the second level of competition, where the exercises become a bit more difficult and are performed off-leash. Advanced rally trials include 12 to 17 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises. The title to be earned in the Advanced class is abbreviated RA. The exercises included at the advanced level are:

• Jump
• Call to Front

Excellent

Excellent is the most challenging level of rally obedience competition. All exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise. The trials consist of 15 to 20 stations (7 stationary), including two jumps, and handlers may only use verbal commands (no physical signals). The title to be earned in the Excellent class is abbreviated RE. Excellent exercises include:

• 3 Step Back Up

The top title available in AKC Rally is the Rally Advanced Excellent title (RAE). To earn this title, the team must achieve 10 qualifying trials each in Advanced and Excellent classes.

In APDT Rally-O, any dog is eligible to compete and the team begins with 200 points. Again, points are deducted for mistakes but also can be added for completing optional exercises. The APDT Rally allows the use of treats in the ring under certain conditions, and a few of the exercises are performed differently or do not exist in AKC Rally at all. The title program is similar, however, with three classes of competition and additional titles to be earned for multiple qualifications.

Rally Trials

Rally teams of handler and dog complete the course as designed by the rally judge. When the judge gives the order to begin, the team proceeds through the course of 10 to 20 stations (depending on the level) at their own pace. Each station has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill that is to be performed.

The judge is looking for teams to move and work together at a brisk but normal pace. The handler is allowed and even encouraged to use a good bit of verbal and signal commands and praise. Multiple commands or signals are also allowed, but any overly harsh or intimidating signals will be penalized. Perfection is not required in the heel position as the team travels from station to station (unlike standard obedience), but each exercise is expected to be completed correctly. Most importantly, rally judges are looking for a clear sense of teamwork between the handler and dog.

Rally Lingo

Brisk – Keenly alive, alert, energetic.

Course Design – A set of signs, previously arranged by the judge, that the dog and handler team will navigate for competition. Each class will have a different course design.

Crowding – A dog that is so close to the handler as to interfere with the handler's freedom of motion.

Gently – With kindness, without harshness or roughness.

Leg – A term that is used frequently for a qualifying score.

Natural – Not artificial; free of affectation; what is customarily expected in the home or public places.

Qualifying Score – Minimum of 70 points out of a possible perfect score of 100.

Station – Location of a sign providing instructions regarding the exercise that is to be performed.

Timing – All dogs will be timed. Times will be used only in the event of ties for a placement.

Walk-through – Handlers are permitted to walk the course, without a dog, prior to the start of the class to plan their strategy. The walk-through gives handlers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the signs and the course.

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