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 Introduction
The name "Rally Style Obedience" has been adopted for this concept of training and competition because of the use of direction signs to guide the handler throughout the performance in a manner somewhat similar to the sport of Rally Car Racing. Rally-O is a nickname for the sport. The directional signs are numbered and arranged sequentially in the form of a course with a variety of turns to contain it within the boundaries of the ring, with a start and finish line.
The team of dog and handler heel from sign to sign, and perform the exercises indicated by the sign at each location. Each directional sign, or exercise sign as they are more commonly called, is composed of a code name for one of the Rally-O exercises. Except for giving the handler clearance to begin the performance, the judge gives no further orders or directions as the handler directs the team through the course.
The judge moves along with the team scoring the performance. Heeling on the course between the exercise locations is judged as a part of the total performance.
The construction or design of the course, in all probability, may vary from trial to trial in several aspects. The selection of exercises used in a course design, the sequence in which the exercises are arranged, and the path or outline of the course that the team is directed to follow throughout the performance may vary with the creativity of the course designer; at Rally-O trials, the courses are designed by the judge. However, the exceptional feature of Rally-O is the allowance of handlers to communicate with their dogs, both verbally and with hand signals at any time and as often as desired , throughout the performance. This may be in the form of praise or various types of commands to aid the dog in performing the exercises.
A departure from the precision based method of scoring traditional Obedience, Rally-O becomes a program that emphasizes fun and excitement for the dog and handler by providing a more “natural” approach to the performance and a method of scoring that best serves those objectives allowing handlers to focus their concentration on undertaking an enthusiastic, energetic, animated performance in which the handler and dog were able to truly enjoy working as a team. Rally-O tests the human partner of the team by evaluating his/her ability to handle the dog to the best of the dog's ability to complete the task.
Rally-O is in its infancy. A sort of evolution will occur in Rally-O that will prompt the development of advanced classes beyond the novice level and the establishment of a stand-alone program with advanced titles.
At the present time, Rally-O consists of three levels or classes. The first of these is performed with the dog on-lead, while the 2nd and 3rd levels are performed with the dog off-lead. There are 29 exercises from which 15 to 17 may be chosen to be included in the design of Level 1 courses. Seven additional exercises have been added to those first 29 for a total of 36 exercises from which 15 to 17 may be included in Level 2 course designs. Level 3 course designs may be constructed with 15 to 17 exercises selected from the 52 total Rally-O exercises. Although every course will have many of the same exercises, the sequence of those exercises in the course design may vary.
FEE
$120.00
Handler-Dog Communication and Teamwork
As important as the characteristics of Rally-O are that create interest and enthusiasm in the handler, perhaps the most exceptional feature of this sport is the ability of handlers to talk to their dogs, praising and encouraging them to develop and maintain enthusiasm in the dog. In addition, handlers may give repeated verbal commands and/or hand signals at any time, and as often as desired or needed throughout the performance to create a true working team of dog and handler. The development of Rally-O is to create a blend of the Rally-O concept with traditional Obedience by allowing the handler to continuously interact with the dog, but also judge the ability of the team to perform the exercises within a certain level of accuracy.
To enroll in this course:
Complete the Registration Form and sign the Waiver.
Mail the completed forms along with your check made payable to:
Pet-Agree, Inc.
12 Donovan Rd
Candia NH 03034
Or
To pay by credit card call Pet-Agree, Inc at 603-483-8775
Have your Veterinarian FAX your dog inoculation records to 603-483-8770
Please call Pet-Agree, Inc at 603-483-8775 for all course schedules.
* All clients must sign a legal waiver in order to sign up with Pet-Agree, Inc.
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