Rally Obedience
Rally is a team activity for you and your dog. You work side by side to navigate through a course of anywhere between 10-20 signs.
Each sign has instructions on a skill to perform; sit, left or right hand turn, fast pace, call to heel, etc. You and your dog move through the course with the dog under control at and between the numbered signs.
The team’s progress through the course is timed, but the main goal is to work with your dog under control at all times.
Rally Classes
Novice is for those just getting started
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All exercises are performed with your dog on leash.
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There are 10-15 signs.
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Exercises vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course.
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You may talk, clap your hands and/or pat your legs to encourage your dog.
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It takes three qualifying scores to earn a title.
Intermediate/Advanced Classes
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After Novice, handlers may choose which class they are ready to participate in, either the Intermediate or Advanced level.
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All exercises are performed on-leash in the Intermediate level and there is no jump required.
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All exercises are performed off-leash in the Advanced level and there is one jump required.
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There are 12-17 signs.
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It takes three qualifying scores to earn a title.
Watch a Dachshund in a Rally Competition
Excellent is the next level of competition. The course is like the Advanced level (above), but with some more challenging exercises.
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All exercises are performed off-leash.
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Handlers are not allowed to pat their legs or clap their hands to encourage the dog.
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Dogs must jump twice.
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There are 15-20 signs.
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It takes three qualifying scores to earn a title.
Master/Choice: These classes are the highest level of competition
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All exercises are performed off-leash.
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Handlers are not allowed to pat their legs or clap their hands to encourage the dog.
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Dogs must jump once in Master, no jumps in Choice
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There are 15-20 signs
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It takes ten qualifying scores to earn a title.
Getting Started
If you haven’t yet seen Rally in person look for competitions in your area to give you an idea of how it works. You’ll see how much fun it is and you can ask questions of the competitors.
Many local obedience training clubs offer Rally classes. Again, you can observe a class before enrolling.