Rally.... so much to learn

Judyg

Forums Enthusiast
Lacey and I went to our first Rally class this week. Wow there is a lot going on and so much to absorb. It was fun, but I really didn't know anything about it to start and I was in a class with people of all levels.

Lacey is going to pick all this up pretty fast though. She is so smart.
 
if it's AKC rally, go to the website and download the signs and rules. You can read up on how to do the signs so that you will have an idea what questions to ask in class.
also pay attention to how things are done in Excellent so when you get there, you don't have to fix how you do certain signs. one example of this is the front/finish signs- in the lower levels you are allowed to step back to help the dog get into front but you are not allowed to move your feet for the front in Excellent. somehow, I actually knew this when I was teaching the brown dogs to front so I have never moved my feet and we don't have (generally) issues with those signs.

Good luck :fl
 
Good luck! We love it :yes:

Some people have mentioned to me they have trouble with a course of signs compared to the set 5-6 commands in obedience. Coming from a hunter and dressage background, that doesn't bother me too much, but something that carries over well- plan out the spacing between the signs. If you need to call front in front of the sign, make sure there's room for her to turn, does she swing wide for the call front or narrow? That's something you can watch in practice and apply in the walkthrough.
 
Good luck! We love it :yes:

Some people have mentioned to me they have trouble with a course of signs compared to the set 5-6 commands in obedience. Coming from a hunter and dressage background, that doesn't bother me too much, but something that carries over well- plan out the spacing between the signs. If you need to call front in front of the sign, make sure there's room for her to turn, does she swing wide for the call front or narrow? That's something you can watch in practice and apply in the walkthrough.

very good point to leave enough room for you and the dog to perform the sign.
A judge once told me to do the action right beside the sign as I had been leaving some room during the walkthrough. I did what he said but I found it difficult to read the sign to make sure I was doing it right from where he wanted me to stand.........
 
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