Perfecting Halt-Turn Right 1 Step Right – Call Dog to Heel

            I thought it would be fun this month to discuss the Advanced/Excellent  Rally exercise #39.  The AKC’s description of the exercise is as follows;

35. HALT - Turn Right One Step - Call to Heel - HALT. With the dog sitting in heel position, the handler commands the dog to wait or stay. The handler then turns to the right, while taking one step in that direction, and halts. The dog is called to sit in heel position in the new location before moving forward to the next station.(Stationary exercise)

            Although on the surface this exercise seems pretty straight-forward, there is a trick to performing this exercise so as not to receive an IP (Incorrect Performance) and 10 points off. 

            Many Rally judges have been instructed to look for a definite step to the right when determining if there are points off.  If for instance you would tell your dog to stay, and then take a small step to the right, it can be construed as a pivot and not a step, thereby earning a IP for that exercise.  As an exhibitor, you might not even be aware that you have not taken a big enough step in the new direction.  To avoid such an error and unnecessary points off, my suggestion to you is to make that step a full length step.  That way you will demonstrate a dramatic step to the judge and no doubt about how to score it. 

  Another area to practice for this exercise is the straight sit as the dog halts.  Imagine if you will, that the dog sits very crooked.  You would risk another IP from your Rally judge if the sit is so crooked that it is already facing in the new direction.  Should this happen to you in the ring, your best bet is to do a re-try.  Re-try’s are something you can do only 2 times on an individual exercise, but loosing 3 points is better than loosing 10!  You can anticipate the dog’s sit by giving him/her a sit command as you approach the sign.  Most dogs will sit quicker and therefore straighter with a command to sit prior to halting.  Remember, all these extra commands are legal in Rally competition.

            Have fun in Rally and talk away to your partner.  That is the “fun” of Rally exhibition!