Rally Obedience is the newest addition to the family of Companion dog events offered by the American Kennel Club. (AKC) It joins the “traditional” Obedience by providing a new and exciting way for you and your dog to compete. Rally has some similarities to Agility, with obedience type exercises. Rally is approved to become a “regular” Obedience class as of January 1st, 2005. Until then it is a “non-regular” class that can be offered at trials.

From the AKC Rally Introduction:

"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. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

The team of dog and handler move continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control within a 2-foot area at the handler’s left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect “heel position” is not required. After the judge’s “Forward” order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.

Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in these 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 requires a little more ring space than other classes. The course, designed by the judge, may have stations requiring the dog and handler to perform such tasks as: 270 & 360 degree turns, stationary exercises where the dog stays in position and the handler walks around it, send the dog over a jump while the handler runs by the jump. Other stations are the same as traditional obedience: Changes of speed, halts, heeling. The handlers are allowed to walk and familiarize themselves with the course before the competition. (Without their dog)

Rally has 3 levels and corresponding titles. (Legs and titles may be earned after 1/1/05) The Rally Novice title (RN) is the least difficult level. The RN course must have between 10 and 15 stations, with no more than 5 stationary exercises. Rally Advanced (RA) is the intermediate level. The RA course must have between 12 and 17 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises. Rally Excellent (RE) is the most advanced level. The RE course must have between 15 and 20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises. Start and Finish lines are not included in the station count. In all classes, verbal encouragement, multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands is allowed and encouraged. In RN and RA classes you may also clap your hands or pat your leg(s), but this is not allowed in the RE class. Times are recorded for each run, but are only used if there is a tie score for placements.

Rally courses are indicated by consecutively numbered signs indicating the exercise to be performed. Scoring is based on 100 points as the maximum score for each class. Fault deductions are taken for such things as: Tight leash, repeating a station, lack of control, station not attempted. To qualify the team must have no “non-qualifying” faults and a minimum of 70 points. The corresponding title is awarded after the team has qualified three times under at least two different judges.

Upon completion of Rally Excellent title, qualifying scores may be accumulated from the Rally Advanced B class and the Rally Excellent B class to earn the Rally Advanced Excellent title. In order to receive the RAE title, a dog must qualify ten (10) times in both the Rally Advanced B class and the Rally Excellent B class at the same trial. The RAE title will appear at the end of the dog’s name and a numeric designation will indicate the number of times the dog has met RAE requirements, i.e. RAE2, RAE3, etc.

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