RALLY TRAINING

KC Rally is a fun, canine sport whose participation has increased each year since its introduction in 2005. It’s a perfect way for you to develop the focus that is so important between you and your dog, and a great starting point for those who are new to canine sports. If you never want to compete, that’s okay. You’ll have fun learning along the way. If you decide that you would like to compete, we’ll get you ready.
Rally provides a challenging introduction to all AKC Companion Events for dogs and handlers via numbered courses. You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you guide him/her through a course of 10-20 different signs. Classes are designed for anyone to learn what the Rally signs mean, and weekly drills help you to perfect those skills. There are five (5) levels of AKC Rally, but don’t worry, the first two levels are on-leash. 
Each of the signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed at the sign. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control, at heel, at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs, and when it’s done by an enthusiastic team, it’s almost like watching a dance!
Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control. It’s about having fun t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r while learning new skills t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r.
Prerequisites: dog must know basic commands, i.e., sit, down, come, stay. Dogs must be at least 6 months old and provide proof of current Rabies inoculation.
Equipment needed: flat, buckle collar, or a martingale collar, 4 foot clip leash, hard or soft crate, baitbag, tons of tiny treats, lots of handler enthusiasm!