ARE YOU READY TO RALLY?

            Rally Obedience will be sweeping the performance field in the year 2000!

What is Rally - you say?  A set of obedience commands set out in a course for the handler/dog team to perform.

            Rally was conceived by Bud Kramer of St. Louis , Missouri .  Rally likens itself to agility in that it is up to the judge to design a course for the team.  It utilizes obedience exercises that are commonly used by exhibitors to train their dogs, as well as exercises that are found in the obedience ring. 

            The handler has the opportunity to "walk" the course and familiarize him/herself with the design.  Then, along with their canine partner, the handler will work sequentially through the course.  What is different about Rally Style Obedience from the traditional obedience ring is that the handler is allowed to talk to their dog, give several commands to the dog, as well as, immediately praise the dog for its performance.  Verbal encouragement of the dog is a desired response in  Rally Obedience competition versus traditional obedience where it would be penalized.   The judge in Rally Obedience gives the command for the team to start, but does not follow the team as in traditional obedience.  The judge will pick a strategic position to observe the performance and score it from that spot. 

            Rally Obedience exercises that are not typical of what is commonly seen in the traditional obedience ring include, spiral left, spiral right , about U-turn, 270 degree right turn, 270 degree left turn, 360 degree right turn, 360 degree left turn, moving side step right, moving side step left, halt - pivot 90 degrees left or right, down and walk around, and off-set figure 8's.  The rest of the exercises are typical of the Novice level obedience.  In Rally Obedience Level 1, all exercises are performed on leash.  In Rally Level 2, exercises are performed off leash and jumps are included. 

            For more information about Rally Obedience there is a discussion group at Rally-obed@egroups.com  Bud Kramer has also produced a book entitled An Introduction to Rally Obedience which can be ordered for the reasonable cost of $5.00 + shipping.  Contact Bud at KramerC@KSU.edu

            The American Kennel Club is offering Rally Obedience as a non-regular class at obedience trials starting October 1, 2000.  It is planned in 2001 to offer Rally Obedience as a regular titling class. 

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