What is Rally ?

AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm! 

For many enthusiasts, it is a stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.  The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

  Rally was designed with the traditional pet 

owner in mind, but it can still be  challenging for those who enjoy higher 

levels of competition.Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication 

from the handler to the dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not 

required, but there should be a sense of teamwork and enthusiasm as they go 

through the course.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in the Rally Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler's arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. 

The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.

Rally Signs

The signs may be any color and they include descriptions as well as directional arrows of exercises. Signs are numbered to make it easy to find the next station when navigating the course.

All signs are placed to the handler's right side. The signs are large enough to be easily recognized when going through a course. 

The exercises designated on the signs will be performed in close proximity to the sign itself, either in front, back of, or beside the sign.

The judge must arrive one hour before judging in order to set up the course for the class. Judges are open to questions that the handlers may have regarding the course during the walk-through period.They must post a copy of the course at ringside so that the exhibitors know what to expect and where to go once they are in the ring. The judge must evaluate the performance of each exercise and the sense of teamwork between the dog and handler between the stations as stated in the AKC Rally Regulations.

The orders "Are you ready?" and "Forward" are given to each handler who enters the ring.

Levels of Competition

The three levels of competition in AKC Rally:

Novice – this is the first level for those just getting started in competition.
• All exercises are performed with the dog on leash.
• There is a requirement of 10-15 stations to complete with no more than five stationary exercises.
• The exercises performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course.
• Exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course.
Advanced – this is the second level, which includes more difficult exercises throughout the course.
• All exercises are performed off-leash.
• There is a requirement of 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises.
• Exercises include a jump as well as calling your dog to the front of you instead of to a heel position.
Excellent – this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging.
• Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise.
• There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises.
• Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.
• The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Qualifying Score

All dogs and handlers begin with a perfect 100. A dog and handler team is awarded a qualifying score if it retains at least 70 points after the course has been completed. Once the team has completed the course, their score will be posted ringside. Ribbons or rosettes are awarded in first through fourth place and for all qualifying scores. Some events will offer special awards, usually when a rally trial is in conjunction with a breed specialty show. 

Rally Titles

The dogs must earn three qualifying scores under two different judges in order to receive a rally title. The titles that can be earned are:

Rally Novice: RN
Rally Advanced: RA
Rally Excellent: RE
Rally Advanced Excellent: RAE

The requirement for the RAE title is that the dog must qualify ten times in both the Advanced B class and the Excellent B class at the same trial.

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Ok folks, here goes....I am reading up to try to learn the signs

and what to expect at my first rally competition... I have watched

rally at a couple of shows and have the opportunity to ask a good 

friend who has shown in rally lots of questions....Unfortunately I cannot go to any local

classes, because I am the teacher of our local classes! I will bring my lhasa to classes anyway

and see if we can get some practice in...wish us luck and check back in with me to see how we are doing! 

We won't be starting classes until some of this %$@#! snow melts.... I am hoping for a mid May start.

My goal is to have our lhasa "BREW" (aka Ch. Indian Hill's Beer For My Horses) ready to compete this fall for our raly Novice title....