Rally Obedience

[Mavides]

Hi everyone,
Well, my interest was perked at the Prescott show this weekend...I would like to find out more information about Rally Obedience. Does anyone have some great links to sites that explain the rules and how to get started? ALSO - even more important...does anyone know of a club or class taught in the Phoenix, AZ area? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated - I did a quick internet search and didn't find too much - but I plan on searching more!
Thanks!!

[spidey]

Here you go (really badly-designed site, but useful nonetheless). I've been reading about it since I first heard about it a few months back. It sounds fun.

[Joanne in NJ]

I don't think that the AKC really has theirs up and running yet.

You have to find the APDT's site (American Pet Dog Trainers?), Not sure of the initials. They have all the signs and what they mean. I think there's 29 of them in the first level.

I took a class in it. Just wasn't for me. Folks I train with love it, and I don't know why I don't care for it.

[Mavides]

Thanks for the replies so far! I've printed out some stuff on it and I'm going to read through it tonight. I know that it is offered at an upcoming show - so I'll plan to hang out by the ring and try to find out more...I think it looks like a blast! HOPEFULLY, Legend will have his CD in the next few months...and since he's only 7 months old, I don't want to start him on the CDX training yet, so this might be something fun for us to do in the meantime.

Does anyone know of a Phoenix club that offers it? I would love to train WITH some people rather than just reading the rules and practicing on our own.

Thanks again!!

[k&s]

I took a rally obedience class and really enjoyed it. We also participated in two APDT rally trials and qualified (level I, which is on lead) both times (once with extra points for 'attitude'!). Beyond the basic obedience routines/skills, especially heeling etc, you mainly have to concentrate on what the signs mean, but it is not difficult to learn them with practice. They are a little different for AKC vs APDT, so it is good to familiarize with both so you can compete in both.

I enjoyed it partly because you can talk to your dog and encourage him along the way. The more pep and fun you can have the better (some competitors seemed too 'somber' to me; as if they were in an AKC obedience trial). In my opinion, rally is pretty well suited for the pre-novice obedience level team because you can verbally (& with hand motions) coax, encourage, and praise your dog. Then as your dog is more accopmplished in the heel work etc you can do less coaxing (but it is still good to praise and encourage). So it does not have to be something you are accomplished in obedience to wait to try.

Hope you find a class and enjoy it.

[BostonRott]

Froli and I tried this out in Maine's first-ever demo (she got 2nd place to a BC!) and had a BLAST! I couldn't help but think what an EXTREMELY cool thing this is for bringing out young dogs..........even if not ready, simply to get them exposure to rings, venues, people, noise, smells, etc. TOTALLY awesome!!!!

Frol's daughter Bea will be making her Rally debut at the beginning of November (she is incredible in Obedience, Diane has done some stellar work with her!!) and I believe that they voted to make Rally titling in 2004. :D

[BostonRott]

Another thought............someone described Rally to me as being comprised of a lot of what "doodling" used to be...........basically working on getting the dog into position, and doing a lot of tight position exercises. VERY cool for proofing a "soon to come out" prospect! :D

[alexav]

I just had the opportunity to try Rally at a Fun Match today.
I was surprised at how fun it was and Breezy seemed to really love the fact that she didn't know what I was going to do next. She is normally VERY attentive but today....WOW!

We had just brought the pup for the conformation, but when I saw the Rally ring, I jumped in my van, put the pedal to the metal and fetched the girl! Awfully glad I did! :D