Rally-O Obedience: I'm hooked!

[Tim Dyer]

While Rally is becoming very popular here, it still has come no where near the level that agility is. Many people I know that have retired a dog from agility have taken them into Rally. I have also refered some of my lower level students to take Rally class as a way to help strengthen their relationship with their dog. Because you are allowed to talk to your dog during the exercises, you can really help build motivation and of course there is the whole aspect of focus being used.

[Angela Lucas]

Another thing i like is according to the regulations transferred to Britain via APDT, you can even touch your dog in a stationary position for extra praise.
In our traditional obedience scene, retrieve is a big downfall in a dog's progression up classes. Chewing, running over the dumbbell dropping on present - there are so many pitfalls to overcome. At least with Rally it does not appear so early on.
AS you are American Tim, please, do you know of any Rally forums like this Agility forum, so that I can discuss and learn about Rally from others? something that is open to all not just subscribers to an association.
My recent workshop had a variety of age of dogs. I do like the fact there is a Veteran Rally level. As you mention, rally is a great option for retiring agility dogs.
the handlers say how much more they find it interesting to learn and try, and we all have a good laugh about muddling up the left and right stations!

[Penny Cockerill]

Orla and I have had a taste (at Paws in the Park) and we loved it. We're doing a taster day at the end of the month. There's nothing at all in my area so I'm thinking of setting up my own classes in the fullness of time - I've found a really nice hall in our local community centre. I'm not a member of APDT but an agility instructor and experienced dog owner and I think, like you, Angela, that dog owners looking for a little more than the usual walking up and down but not as much as competition obedience will love it.
It's great that there is a lot of information now and thanks for the youtube link - isn't youtube wonderful! My niece wanted to learn to crochet so I went onto youtube and got myself a quick refresher (it's been 20 years).

I've just joined APDT as a subscriber and joined their library, so now have a brilliant Rally book on loan as well. Let's hope we can spread the word and get a UK movement off its feet - in conjunction with APDT.
Penny

[Ali Griffiths]

I believe the APDT are in the process of reviewing and making some slight adjustments to the guidelines that are currently on their website. I guess it'll take quite a lot of work for them to set it all up, train judges, organise training events and competitions.

In the meantime there are a few training events around, Stella Bagshaw's doing a training event near Maidenhead in a few weeks time, which I'm really looking forward to, and there's other info and a good DVD on the APDT website under UK Rally.

I just hope, as more people get into Rally, that the APDT are able to retain the emphasis on relaxed, calm enjoyment. It would be such a shame to spoil it with hype.

Ali

[Tim Dyer]

do you know of any Rally forums like this Agility forum, so that I can discuss and learn about Rally from others? something that is open to all not just subscribers to an association.

Here is a link to a yahoo group dedicated to rally. I know nothing about it so I can not tell you if it is something you might be interested in or not. How to subscribe is down at the bottom of the page. I have also posted to my clubs' list to see where all our Rally people go for that sort of thing and will let you know.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Rally-obed/

[Tim Dyer]

Just got this from one of our members

For AKC: Rally-obed-subscrib e@yahoogroups. com
For UKC: UKCrally-subscribe@ yahoogroups. com

I also found a Rally-uk-subscribe@ yahoogroups. com - looks like this is a United Kingdom list and there are only 46 members, but it says that they're hoping to make Rally a uk sport so this is probably a good one to have them join as well as the US ones. They can age a lot of information from all the US Rally lists as all of them are quite active.

Arlene

[Jan Stubbs]

I've thought it a shame fir many years that the KC isn't offering Rally here - they don't offer anything to bridge the gap between the good citz and competitive obedience etc... Rally looks idea. Also for nervy dogs like my lad it is very good because the dog isn't closely followed by a stranger, and good for my sausage thief girl cos they tart off by being kept on a lead! For people who want to do more with their dogs without being to ott or competitive dogs winding down to retirement etc. Ralley looks really good.

[Angela Lucas]

thank you for the links to Rally-O groups. It will be good to talk to people with more experience.
We had a storm braining at practice the other day, and we came up with working out Snooker Rally! Certainly in our neck of the woods, i aim to get some combined Rally and agility comp in the summer.
Yes I agree with the earlier comments of keeping it fun and relaxed.
The KC as far as the feedback I have received are happy that the APDT are sorting out courses, rules, and competitions and workshops. But they have after all, a very full plate with other matters.

[Judith Falkner]

Are you into Facebook Angie? I am just getting involved and found a UK rally-O group at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Huntingdon-United-Kingdom/Talking-Dogs-Rally/185831949569?ref=mf. This is an active group based in Huntingdon running lots of workshops and rallies for both prospective judges and participants. The thing about Facebook is that there is a discussion section connected to the group page which may come in handy.
As the rules are slightly different between USA and UK it may be confusing if you get advice from forums "abroad" ie I understand there is a UK ban carrying titbits in the ring but this is allowed in USA.
We had a good session on Friday but I cannot understand why my brilliant suggestion of Speed Rally was rejected!

[Angela Lucas]

Hello Judith
How did you get on Saturday? Hope everything went well.
As for speed Rally-O, I'm sorry you thought we were not keen. it's just that Rally is already timed as well as marked in competition, therefore, it would be down to the time, if people ended up on equal points. So speed Rally would only be for the under 18's and everything done at fast pace! I dunno.
I've signed up to the Yahoo group that tim suggested for Rally and I've looked at the English one for Talking Dogs. But you can get onto so many forums and chatrooms you can easily lose track.

I take on board at this present time, the Rally here should follow what the APDT are bringing over from their counterparts in America. However, I would have no qualms at teaching basic Rally ideas and encouraging food or play reward.
From my own recent experience, I realised I was walking in to the trap of worrying about the signs and not putting enough motivation into my dog's performance in practice recently. So from my part, I shall be spending more time playing and no worrying about carrying out a whole round unless, for a test, we did it twice on the trot, the first time in play, the second time a little more focussed.

[Judith Falkner]

Oops, I haven't quite got the hang of being ironic on this forum. The speed - rally suggestion wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.

Congrats on your win with Prinny at the weekend. My runs followed much the usual pattern; serious handler error in the Jumping and rather a lot of jumps down in Agility (probably also my fault). The reason why I like Rally is that I get the chance to think (and breath!) in between "obstacles".

I am also guilty of getting carried away on a Rally course, I'm going to try to remember to reward my dog more with fun during the round so it doesn't get too serious.

[Liz Devonport]

Please what is Rally? I've never heard of it before.

[Kerstin McDonagh]

It's a sport which started in the States, as an alternative to more conventional competitive obedience.Instead of a steward calling instructions to you and telling you where to go and what to do, you go onto a course and follow signs to different stations, where you and your dog perform the exercises specified by the relevant signs. The course has to be completed within a set time, so it's a bit like agility without the obstacles. There are several levels for dogs and handlers to progress through. For more information, see the links previously posted on this thread. You can also search for videos of "Rally-O" or "rally obedience" on Youtube for demos and competition footage. I particularly like it because, unless the US rules are changed drastically in the UK, I think it has the potential to suit a really broad range of dogs and handlers, and the wide selection of exercises also makes it more interesting.

[Liz Devonport]

It's a sport which started in the States, as an alternative to more conventional competitive obedience.Instead of a steward calling instructions to you and telling you where to go and what to do, you go onto a course and follow signs to different stations, where you and your dog perform the exercises specified by the relevant signs. The course has to be completed within a set time, so it's a bit like agility without the obstacles. There are several levels for dogs and handlers to progress through. For more information, see the links previously posted on this thread. You can also search for videos of "Rally-O" or "rally obedience" on Youtube for demos and competition footage. I particularly like it because, unless the US rules are changed drastically in the UK, I think it has the potential to suit a really broad range of dogs and handlers, and the wide selection of exercises also makes it more interesting.

Thanks Kerstin for explaining that I'm off to have a look on youtube. It does sound interesting and as people have said it could really benifiete the older dog who was unable to do agility anymore but who still wanted to do a job.

[Katie Franke]

Hi guys, just some more info for you - it seems that not only are the APDT setting up an official Rally O scheme here in the UK, but also the Talking Dog Rally (link above to their facebook group) are setting up a UK Rally O scheme too!!! But they are both going for UK coverage and they both use different signage/commands!! aarrggghh...so looks like you need to pick which one you want to follow and stick to it or could get very confusing!