Rally obedience (Rally-O) is a new form of canine obedience competition. The rally style of obedience offers a more relaxed, natural approach to obedience competition than the traditional obedience competition. In rally obedience, the dog-handler team follow a course, performing a series of obedience exercises that are indicated by the signs along the course. If you are interested in obedience competition or just want to take your obedience training a step beyond the basics, rally obedience can be a good place to start. Unlike traditional obedience competition, handlers have a lot more freedom to encourage their dogs throughout the test. For example, handlers can talk to the dog, praise the dog, repeat commands, whistle, or pat their leg during the test. This more natural interaction usually helps keep the dog focused and relaxes both handler and dog while getting them used to being in a ring. Also since a rally test is continuous with no breaks in activity it is usually a little easier for a green dog (or handler), including lively young Airedales with short attention spans.

What is Rally Obedience?

In a rally style obedience competition, a course is set up with a series of signs to guide the handler. Each sign indicates a different obedience exercise to be performed. As in agility, the layout of every rally course is different. The handlers are given time to walk the course and study it, without their dogs, before the start of the class. During the test the dog-handler team heels from sign-to-sign performing the exercise indicated by each sign. The judge does not issue any commands or directions, except to tell the team when to start.

Rally style obedience can be offered at two skill levels (Level 1 and Level 2). In Level 1 the exercises are performed on-lead with 12 to 15 stations. Level 2 is performed off-lead with 15 to 18 stations, including at least one jump. There are about 45 different exercises that can be used in a rally course. Most are basic obedience commands such as "sit", "down", and heeling at different speeds and with turns. Some of the more advanced exercises, such as jumps, pivots and heeling in a figure 8 around bowls filled with food, are only used in the Level 2 courses. See AKC and ADPT websites for rules and a list and description of the exercises (see below).

Preparing for Rally Competition

Once your dog has completed a basic obedience course he is ready to start working on rally obedience exercises. Although rally is still very new some obedience clubs and dog trainers are beginning to offer classes in Rally obedience. Rally involves a lot of heeling, but the more relaxed rules encourage the handler to really interact with and motivate the dog. Use positive training methods. Keep the exercises short and work on getting and keeping your dale focused on you.

Rally obedience competition

Rally obedience competitions are sanctioned by two organizations (AKC and ADPT). There are slight differences in the rules between the organizations. The description in this article follows the rules for the American Kennel Club’s Rally Obedience. At the present time, AKC offers Rally-O to purebred dogs as a non-regular (no titles given) class. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT) also offers rally obedience competitions. Under ADPT dogs can earn titles and all breeds of dogs, including mixed-breed dogs and dogs with disabilities, are allowed and encouraged to compete.

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