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  • Rally Obedience at Capital Dog Training Club

    Rally Obedience is a fun and challenging way to build teamwork with your dog while preparing for AKC competition. Each course consists of signs that guide you and your dog through a series of exercises—heeling, turns, fronts, finishes, and more. Rally encourages precision, confidence, and enjoyment at every level.

    At Capital, our program is structured to help you progress step by step through the skills needed for success.

    Class Progression:

     

    1. Heeling, Fronts & Finishes (Foundation Class)

    This intensive 8-week course focuses on the three essential skills for both Rally and Obedience competition:

    • Heeling – the foundation of all competition work; emphasized with attention, accuracy, and teamwork
    • Fronts & Finishes – taught for speed and precision, with correct positions reinforced using training tools such as platforms, frames, and pivot bowls

     

    Other topics include: play as a reward, ring entry, reinforcement strategies, and handler-dog teamwork.

    Prerequisites: Family Dog 1 & 2 (or instructor approval). Recommended before all higher-level classes.
     

     

    2. Rally Novice

    Introduction to AKC Rally Obedience. Handlers learn how to:

    • Read and follow Rally course maps
    • Correctly perform Novice-level signs (with some exposure to Advanced and Excellent)
    • Build teamwork while navigating a course on-leash

     

    Each class ends with a full Novice-level course run.

    Prerequisites: Completion of Heeling, Fronts & Finishes or equivalent experience.

     
     

    3. Rally Competition

    Designed for teams preparing for the highest levels of Rally. Focus areas include:

    • Advanced and Excellent-level Rally signs and challenges
    • Fine-tuning Novice and Intermediate execution
    • Handling strategies and ring-ready skills
    • Personalized feedback for each team during course run

     

    This class supports both teams polishing their Novice work, including off-leash heeling and those ready for Excellent-level competition.

    Prerequisites: Rally Novice Ring Ready or Rally Novice Title.

     

    Watch as dog handlers, including CDTC’s own Pam Coblyn, talk about Rally.