All About Rally

WHAT IS RALLY?

  • Rally is a new dog sport that is sweeping the nation.  It was created to promote a positive relationship between the dog and his owner.  Animation and enthusiasm throughout the performance is encouraged.

  • Emphasis is on fun and excitement for the dog and handler, and the spectator, by providing a more “natural” approach to the performance.

  • Some have described Rally as a combination of Agility and Obedience.  Each team is judged on the execution of a single, continuous performance of numbered exercises on a course, uninterrupted by orders from the judge.

  • Many of the exercises are derived from “doodles” people use when training for Obedience.

  • There are no ½ point deductions in Rally.  Only those errors that normally would be assessed as full point deductions in Obedience are scored.

  • Perfect heel position is not required but you must maintain a loose leash at all times.  Harsh verbal or leash corrections are not tolerated.

 And the best part… YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR DOG THROUGHOUT THE PERFORMANCE!

WHO CAN DO RALLY?

Anybody!

Rally was designed with the average pet dog owner in mind, as a way to introduce them into the world of dog sports and for people to just have fun with their dogs.

Whether you’ve just completed your CGC or are looking for something else to do, or you want to hone up on your obedience skills, Rally has something to offer you and your companion.

Rally is a wonderful sport for dogs and handlers who experience “ring stress”, or for whatever reasons, would not be successful in traditional obedience.  The Novice level is all on leash, you are allowed to use multiple hand and verbal cues, and you can talk to and encourage your dog throughout the performance.  This makes it a great place to work through both of your ring nerves and to have some success in the ring.

Rally also makes a great entry-level class for both obedience, agility and freestyle.

But don’t be fooled!  Rally is not as easy as it looks.  You must work closely as a team, as you negotiate the course, heeling from sign to sign, performing one of the many different exercises, some quite complex (there are 50 different exercises to chose from).

 EXERCISES 

Below are some of the exercises and signs that are in Rally.  Exercises incorporate turns, pivots, fronts, finishes, jumps, sits, downs and stays, and of course, heeling (forward & backwards!)

 

270 Right Turn:  This is basically a ¾ turn to the right. A round-about way of making a left turn.

 Spiral Right – Dog Outside: You and your dog spiral around like a paperclip around to the 3rd cone to the right, back up around the second cone, then around the first cone, then you exit. (Hint: you’ll get dizzy if you look at your dog while doing it!)

 
HALT-Down-Sit:  Remember your puppy pushups from puppy kindergarten?

 

Offset Figure 8:  Performed around the cones like a normal Figure 8 in Obedience, except there are distractions on either side.  They may be toys or bowls of food.  Better brush up on your “Leave It”!

 HALT-180 Pivot Left-HALT:  With the dog sitting in heel position, you pivot 180 in place to the left.  Your dog moves with you and sits in heel position.

 

(To get a complete list, check out the resources listed at the end.)

 WHAT MAKES RALLY DIFFERENT?

You can talk to, encourage, and praise your dog throughout the entire performance

Each run is a different series of exercises (you never know what the course will be until you get there) 

Having fun is more important than precision; emphasis is on teamwork

More relaxed atmosphere; great place for nervous dogs (and handlers) to get their feet wet!

No group sits or downs, or out of sight stays; lower jump heights (great for retired obedience dogs)

Something for dogs and handlers at all skill levels  

 

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What is Rally?

Who Can Do Rally?

Rally Exercises

What Makes Rally Different?