Rally Dog Training

Welcome to Cincinnati Canine Companion Centers "Rally Class".

Rally is an obedience competition by which the dog and handler are guided by numbered signs indicating the task to be performed. These signs are laid out in the obedience ring, and indicate direction of movement and task.

Depending on the level of Rally, the dog is on or off lead. Dog and handler heel from sign to sign, and perform the exercise indicated on each sign. You can talk and gesture to the dog (clap, smack pants leg, etc.) to encourage the dog to perform the task, but you CANNOT TOUCH THE DOG.

It is a timed event, and although minimal points are deducted depending upon the infraction, (points are not as stringent as in Novice, Open, or Utility scoring), it can be a good sport for dogs in training stages from Intermediate/Advanced level training on up.

Examples of signs you will see in level one are halt, halt - stand, halt - down, halt - down - sit, halt - walk around, right turn, left turn, about turn right, about U-turn, 270 degree right, 270 degree left, 360 degree right, 360 degree left, slow, fast, or normal pace, calling dog to front and finishing, moving side step right, spiral right or left, figure 8, serpentine.