Susan Berlin wrote: > Okay, I give up: what's a Rally? >
Rally is a relatively new sport we can participate in with our dogs. Although its called Rally Obedience, it should be called 'Just Fun.' The main feature of Rally, sometimes called Rally-O, is that the handler may talk, encourage, clap or whatever throughout the performance You can't touch the dog or use food or toys, but praise is considered a requirement and a happy, brisk, enthusiastic performance will get you a high score (and more fun.) The Rally course consists of a series of numbered signs arranged in a series with space between them. The team performs the behavior printed on the sign and then goes to the next sign. Rally excersizes are based on all the 'doodling' you do in training. Things like spirals, weaving through cones, left about turns, 360 turns, and all the familiar obedience behaviors are used. The course is laid out by the judge and is different for each trial. Handlers are given a course layout and are allowed to walk the course and plan their performance before the trial starts. The judge does not give any commands other than to start. Performances are timed, but the time is oly used for breaking ties. Marjie
