Rally Obedience

Heeling, Fronts and Finishes

This 8-week class is an intensive introduction to the three most critical skills required for successfully competing in obedience: heeling, fronts and finishes. Heeling is the single largest source of points at all three levels of competition and a source of difficulty for many teams. Heeling is taught systematically with an emphasis on attention, minimization of errors, and promoting the dog’s understanding of heel position. Many exercises require fronts and finishes, so their mastery is essential to success in competition. Accordingly, fronts and finishes are taught, with an emphasis on speed and correct position. Various training aids are employed, included platforms, frames, and pivot bowls. While teaching these specific skills, attention is also paid to developing and effective and rewarding working relationship between dog and handler. Play as a reward, managing the dog’s emotional level, effective use of reinforcement (including marker words), and ring entry/progression are also addressed.

Topics Covered:

• Heeling
• Fronts
• Finishes
• Play
• Ring entry/progression
• Effective use of reinforcement

Note: Students must have a clear intention to compete in obedience or rally. Students must welcome feedback and diligently practice between classes.

Prerequisites: Completion of Family Dog 1 and 2 or permission of instructor. This class should normally be taken before any other upper-level obedience classes. Registration requires permission of the instructor.

Rally Novice

This class is an introduction to rally obedience. Topics covered include the basics of the sport, how to read course maps, and correct performance of rally signs focusing on the Novice level, but also including stations from Advanced and Excellent levels. A Rally course will be run at the end of each class, but considerable time will be spent on helping the handler and dog learn to move as a team in performing each station’s requirements with the dog heeling through the course on a loose leash.

 
Prerequisites: Dogs must have completed Intro Heeling, Fronts and Finishes or equivalent experience.

Rally Advanced

This class is an continuation of rally obedience. Topics covered include the basics of the sport, how to read course maps, and correct performance of rally signs focusing on the Advenced level, but also including stations from Novice and Excellent levels. A Rally course will be run at the end of each class, but considerable time will be spent on helping the handler and dog learn to move as a team in performing each station’s requirements with the dog heeling through the course on a loose leash or working toward off-leash.

Prerequisites: Dogs must have completed Rally Novice or equivalent experience.

Rally Competition/Excellent

Novice / Intermediate: This class is for those still working at the novice level so that they will be able to transition to the advanced level smoothly. It is also aimed at those exhibitors that are currently working at the Advanced level but need more practice. There will be input on how specific signs should be executed as well as training tips as each team works the course. To take this class you must have a complete understanding of the Novice Rally signs and exercises.

 
Prerequisites: Rally Novice Ring Ready or Rally Novice Title on Enrolled Dog