​

Rally Obedience (also known as Rally or Rally-O) is a dog sport based on obedience training.  It is the performance of communication between a dog and their owner. It was originally devised by Charles L. "Bud" Kramer from the obedience practice of "doodling" - doing a variety of interesting warm-up and freestyle exercises.  Unlike regular obedience, instead of waiting for the judge's orders, the competitors proceed around a course of designated stations with their dog in the “heel” position. The course consists of 10 to 20 signs, selected from almost 50 different possibilities, which indicate to the team which obedience exercise they must perform, usually timed.  As in agility, handlers get to walk the course and familiarize themselves with the pattern without their dog before running the course.

During their run, the dog and handler move through the course in the heel position (or maintaining control), performing each exercise in turn. The highest scores will be earned by teams who move smoothly through the course, completing each exercise accurately with a minimum of commands, and with high enthusiasm and good attitude. Praise and/or verbal encouragement upon completion of exercises is allowed, and extra commands during exercises are minimally penalized.

There are currently three sanctioning bodies for Rally-O in the United States; the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC)  and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).  Here at Liberty Pet Hill Resort, we will teach the rules of  AKC and APDT, which will allow any breed (pure or mixed) to participate in this sport.

​

In APDT Rally, which is open to any dog and handler, the team starts with 200 points, and the judge deducts points for mistakes and adds bonus points that can be earned for optional exercises. There are three levels and there are additional titles for multiple qualifications at various levels. APDT Rally varies in some respects in the performance of some exercises as well as having exercises, such as a retrieve, that are not seen in AKC Rally. The most obvious difference between APDT and AKC Rally is the ability to reward the dog with food in the ring under specific conditions in APDT Rally.

​

Unlike traditional obedience, handlers are allowed to encourage their dogs during the course.  It requires a very interactive relationship between the owner and their dog. The emphasis of Rally is more relaxed than precision competitive Obedience, focusing instead on attitude and enthusiasm, while the variety of exercises and courses allows you to show off your versatility and teamwork.  Rally is fun and interesting to watch as the individual style of each team can really show through. Dogs need to have a solid attention span and focus and enough stamina to get through the course. Well-heeled obedience dogs will have a hoot.

​

​