Rally O

[weimgirl]

Hello All

Am taking my first Rally O class with my Wonderful 5 yr old boy Logan, What Fun!! ;D
He loves that his Mom can talk to him and encourage him all the way around the course, unlike regular obedience he smiles and enjoys himself much more. He did very well in standard obedience and received his CD in 3 straight with a 1st place and a 2nd place. But he really likes Rally O and is more relaxed. Is this just an American thing or is it worldwide? I highly recommend it, a great bonding experience and relief from pressures of Show ring and Field events and training. Vicki T aka (Weimgirl)

[marjolein]

Never heard of Rally O Vicki, what is it?

[weimgirl]

Oh it is sooooooo much fun, loosely it is a combination of Obedience and Agility. You and your dog follow numbered course, at each number there is a sign with instructions on what you and your dog need to do, the signs have both words and a symbol, for example for a right turn the sign would have a 90' angle and the word Right....there are 50 different signs and 3 levels of competition Novice (on leash), Advanced (off leash) and Excellent. It is also timed but that only counts if there is a tied score between competitors. It is scored by how well you and your dog execute the course.
Other signs include things like.. Call front finish left..Halts, downs figures 8's Serpentine weaves, Send over a jump, halt about U turn, 270 degree left and right turns etc. Course for novice are about 12 to 15 stations. More information is on the AKC website as well. It is much more relaxed than formal obedience as you can talk and encourage your dog through the whole course. While AKC doesn't allow mixed breeds to compete many organizations are popping up so they can compete as well. You should get it started in your area Vicki T

[marjolein]

Sounds like it's great fun!!!