Tally-Ho for Rally-O

Today's category is RALLY.

What is Rally, you might ask? It's an AKC event, that is sort of a cross between obedience and agility, that serves as a gateway to regular obedience.

1. The dog is sort of scored, but the handler is the main focus with regards to scoring.
2. Scoring is more generous than in traditional obedience.
3. There are stations that handler and dog must perform (the number of stations depends on the level entered). Novice has 10-15 stations.
4. There are 3 Levels - Novice, Advanced and Excellent.
5. In Novice, dogs are on leash. In Advanced and Excellent, the dogs are off leash.
6. The exercises are a variety of exercises that you might have to perform in obedience, as well as extra exercises that you would perform to practice. There are turns, changes of pace, sits, downs, and recalls, in all sorts of configurations.

Learn more about Rally here.

Arnie was entered in Rally at the Nationals this year. I entered last year, and got a qualifying score, but I was entered in 4 classes of agility, and mom wanted to give Arnie something "special" that he could do (he was only entered in 2 classes of agility). That, and I tend to be a little nuts when I can't run at full speed in a ring.

The green footing was VERY interesting, and just HAD to be sniffed

Woops, almost missed going around that cone

Getting it together

Yup, I'm paying attention now, mom

Sitting with attention. A little crooked, but passable

The inside 270 degree turn is really hard

High stepping in heel position

Perfect position

Watching carefully for the next command

Heeling nicely to the finish line

There were 2 days of Rally, and Arnie qualified on both days. Not bad for very little practice, and no experience in a Rally ring at all. His performance was a little crazy, but overall he was a very good boy.

Next up: AGILITY!!!