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What is AKC Rally

Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.  The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing.  Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.  A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level of competition.   Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler.  The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

Rally is a dog and handler sport where the team completes a course designed by a judge where the judge gives the command "Are you ready, and Forward" and the team proceeds at their own pace to perform the instructions on each of the signs.  Unlimited communication between dog and handler is encouraged and not penalized.  You can talk, praise, and encourage.  The handler may NOT touch the dog, but may give multiple commands/signals.  Loud, harsh command WILL be penalized.  No food is allowed in the ring.

Any AKC registered dog is eligible to enter and compete in Rally after 6 months of age.

Rally

Novice

This is a foundation class designed for those who have not competed in AKD Rally and wish to begin.

You will learn:

  • where to get information on finding and enter AKC Rally events
  • how to enter a trial
  • what to wear at a trial
  • how to behave at a trial
  • how to get the Rally rules and regulations and how to use them
  • how to walk a Rally course
  • how to perform a Rally course
  • what the Novice Rally signs are and how to perform them
  • how you are scored, what deductions are taken for, what is an NQ, what is an IP
  • what title you may obtain
  • the principal parts of the exercises

This class is limited to pre-registration. The club does offer Rally Run-Thru classes from time to time which don't require pre-registration.

Prerequisites:

  • You and your dog must be able to heel with a sit, understand down, stand, and sit and down stays, perform a recall, and have at least one finish.
  • This course does NOT teach you the obedience exercises.  You must work on your own to teach your dog whatever exercises you need.
  • You must be able to arrive prior to class to set up the equipment, and must participate in putting the equipment away at the end of class.
  • Your dog must be crated, x-penned, or in your car during set up and tear down.
  • Please be mindful of the weather if you are leaving your dog in your vehicle.  You may not miss more than 2 classes in the session.

Rally

Advanced

This class is for the student who has already competed in Novice Rally and is either preparing to enter Advanced (or Intermediate) or is currently competing in Advanced.  This class teaches how to perform the stations.  Any work that is necessary for you to teach your dog how to perform the exercises is to be done on your own.  This class is performed off-leash except for those working on Intermediate Rally.  These people are encouraged to work out of class to begin preparing for off leash work in class.

  • Your dog will learn to do jumps of various types
  • Your dog must work with you off-leash
  • Your dog will learn even more teamwork
  • You will learn pivots instead of turns
  • You will learn stricter performance of signs compared to Novice Rally

Prerequisites:

  • You must be able to arrive prior to class to set up the equipment
  • Your dog must be able to be in class with other dogs off leash
  • Your dog must remain under voice control
  • You must already be able to perform lower level exercises
  • You must participate in putting the equipment away at the end of class
  • Your dog must be crated, x-penned, or in your car during set up and tear down
  • You may not miss more than 2 classes in a session

Rally

Excellent

This level is challenging and uses exercises not done in traditional obedience.  Teams are held to a higher standard of performance.

  • Exercises are performed off-leash 
  • Course requirements are 15-20 signs with no more than 7 stationary exercises
  • Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally.  No physical encouragement
  • You will be encouraged to continue to compete and what will be expected for the higher titles

The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Prerequisites:

  • You must be able to arrive prior to class to set up the equipment
  • Your dog must be able to be in class with other dogs off leash
  • Your dog must remain under voice control
  • You must already know how to perform the lower level exercises
  • You must participate in putting the equipment away at the end of class
  • Your dog must be crated, x-penned, or in your car during set up and tear down
  • You may not miss more than 2 classes in a session

Rally

Master

Master level Rally further challenges teams to learn stations that are not used in any other AKC venue.  This level is part of working towards the highest AKC Rally titles.

  • Work on spins and turns
  • Work on using voice/hand signals for work done away from your dog
  • Work around cones
  • Work with various form of jumps

Prerequisites:

  • You must be able to arrive prior to class to set up the equipment
  • Your dog must be able to be in class with other dogs off leash
  • Your dog must remain under voice control
  • You must already be able to perform all lower level exercises
  • You must participate in putting the equipment away at the end of class
  • Your dog must be crated, x-penned, or in your car during set up and tear down
  • You may not miss more than 2 classes in a session


We teach you to train your dog!