A rally course will be set up on the last Sunday of each term (see training calendar).
Rally is an exciting new competition that offers an
'alternative' to more traditional obedience trials. The dog and handler
complete a course that has been designed by the Rally Instructor / Judge. The
judge tells the handler to begin and the dog and handler proceed at their own
pace through a course of designated stations. Each of these stations has a sign
providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.
Scoring, if performed, is not as rigorous as formal obedience.
The team of dog and handler move continuously with the dog under control at the handler's left side, however perfect "heel position" is not required. They perform the exercises indicated by a numbered sign at each station. After the judge's "Forward" order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence correctly.
During the progression through the course, handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs, praise them, clap their hands, pat their legs. Handlers may not touch their dog to make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.
At Mandurah Dog Club Rally sessions, dogs in beginner class may be lured into a position / command using treats (food, toys etc); dogs in intermediate class may be given reward occasionally after successful achievement of the command; dogs in the advanced level should be given verbal praise during the course - but other treats (food/toy) only on completion of the entire course.
Dog Rally information can be found HERE
To increase the fun factor, we may include some agility tasks in the rally course.
Most weeks we will have the assessment rally cards set up on the oval - Please feel free to use them before, during or after class.
