Introduction to Rally Obedience

Introduction

Rally obedience is the American Kennel Club's (AKC) newest competition for dogs. It was started in the US by Charles "Bud" Kramer in 2000. It was a non-regular class at AKC trials for several years and as of January 1, 2005 it has officially become a titling event. In fact a number of clubs all around the country hosted midnight debut trials so they could lay claim to the first official trials of this new sport.

History

Since its official inception in 2005, rally has taken off quickly with 13,963 new titleholders in 2005 and 18,412 new titleholders in 2006. Rally is seen as a stepping stone between AKC's canine good citizen program and their more traditional obedience competition. Rally also includes some aspects of the popular sport of agility.

About Rally

Unlike traditional obedience, in rally you may talk to your dog as well as provide encouragement through praise, clapping your hands, and patting your leg even. The only thing you can't do is physically touch your dog. The majority of exercises seen in rally are in preparation for further competition in traditional obedience; although some of the exercises at the higher levels contain movements even a Utility Dog would not be required to know. In rally obedience you and your dog enter the ring and perform various exercises depicted on signs at each station as you move around the ring.

Requirements

Rally has three levels of competition: novice, advanced, and excellent. A perfect score is 100 points. To qualify you must earn a minimum of 70 points. You lose points for minor things such as a tight leash or poor sits. The biggest deduction is ten points if you incorrectly perform a specific exercise. If you know that you did not perform an exercise correctly you can re-try the station for a three point deduction.

Rally Novice

The Novice level is performed with your dog on leash. There are 10 to 15 stations which include things such as moving down, moving side step right, and serpentine. There are two classes: A and B. If neither you nor your dog have ever earned an AKC rally or any other obedience title you compete in the A class, otherwise you must enter B.

Rally Advanced

The Advanced level is performed with your dog off-leash. There are 12 to 17 stations which can include any of the Novice level exercises as well as several new exercises such as the offset figure 8, send over jump, and halt-down-sit. There are also two classes: A and B. If your dog has not earned an AKC obedience title you may compete in the A class, otherwise you must enter B.

Rally Excellent

The Excellent level is also performed with your dog off-leash. There are 15 to 20 stations which can include any of the Novice or Advanced level exercises as well new exercises like the honor and back up three steps. There are two classes at this level: A and B. Like the Advanced level the A class is for dogs that have not earned an AKC obedience title. If your dog has an obedience title you must enter the B class.

Title Requirements

To earn the Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA), and Rally Excellent (RE) titles your dog must qualify three times under at least two different judges. After your dog has completed the RE title you can continue to enter both the Advanced and Excellent classes at the same trial. If your dog qualifies in both classes on the same day ten times then you have earned the Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) title.