Rally-O!

Looking for something fun to do with your dog? Well, why not try a Rally Obedience class! Rally-O is a fun, fast growing, competition sport where each dog and handler navigates a course comprised of various obedience exercises. Competition courses are timed, judged and are designed to allow handlers and their dogs to have fun and earn titles, while competing in a more relaxed environment.

The sport of Rally-O was first conceived of by Charles "Bud" Kramer as an alternative to traditional obedience classes and competition. His goal was to encourage people to continue to have fun with their canine companions, while still working with basic obedience movements.

A Rally-O course consists of a series of numbered exercises, each with a sign that instructs the team to perform a specific obedience behavior. Depending on the Rally organization, a course will consist of 10-20 exercise stations. Teams may be instructed to perform a Sit, Sit-Down-Walk Around, 360 Left, Halt 1-2-3 Steps Forward, Spiral Left or any number of fun and challenging sequences. Handlers are allowed to 'walk through' the course (like in agility) prior to their run, in order to familiarize themselves with the layout and plot their strategy.

Currently, the two main organization offering Rally-O classes and competitions are the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Efforts are also underway to have Rally-O offered by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA).

Scoring of Rally-O is not as rigorous as in traditional obedience. In APDT Rally-O, teams must earn a minimum score of 170 out of 200 points and in AKC Rally-O, teams must earn 70 out of 100 points for a qualifying run. Courses are timed, but the times are only used when needed to break a tie for placement ribbons (first through fourth place). Titles are earned in each venue, when the team has earned three qualifying runs under at least two different judges.

Unlike traditional obedience, Rally encourages the handler to talk to, praise, and use hand and verbal signals to encourage the dog along the course. An enthusiastic attitude and team spirit are more important than precision. Interaction between the handler and dog is vital and in some venues (APDT Rally), handlers can even reward their dog with a food treat upon successful completion of a stationary exercise.

Beginner level competition is performed with the dog on-leash, while more advanced Rally competition is performed off-leash. In APDT Rally, all dogs regardless of breed or mix can compete. APDT Rally also encourages handlers with disabilities, dogs with disabilities and junior handlers to compete. Teams can also earn bonus points as well.

Most dogs and handlers are ready to try a Rally-O class once they have completed two levels of basic obedience (or with permission of the instructor). This insures they have an understanding of all of the novice obedience behaviors that will be utilized in a beginner Rally class (ex: Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Heel, Attention, Fronts and Finishes).

Training centers offer a variety of Rally-O classes. Some offer smaller classes, some offer classes on a 'drop-in' basis and others are taught on a 6-week schedule. Weekly topics and practice sessions will vary as well, so please call the center you are interested in for more details.

Rally-O allows teams to strengthen their human-canine bond and continue their education while having fun together. So, if you are looking for something new and exciting to try with your four legged friend ... Ready, Set, Rally-O!

For more information on Rally-O, please visit the following web sites:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers
American Kennel Club

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