Any tips

LuvourGSDs · 04-22-2009, 05:42 PM

for someone that's going to do their 1st Rally trial this weekend ? In Novice ~how many signs do they use, is it pretty easy or depend on judge, can dog on flat collar or choker ? Any other info of your 1st Rally trial you wish to share...............

~Thanks~

selzer · 04-22-2009, 10:34 PM

It is in the rules and I do not have the book on me. It is a range of signs -- 13-16 or something like that. I simply cannot remember.

Have you an obedience title on any dog? If so you are in Novice B and you will have no problems at all.

If Rally is your first sport, then you should be in Novice A, which means you will be up against other green dogs and other green handlers. I LOVED Novice A.

The biggest thing you can do on show day is come early and RELAX. Show day is NOT the day to sharpen a skill or train something new. In fact, it is best to come early and let the dog potty. If you are worried, do not feed the dog breakfast (it is hard to eliminate that which is not there). If the trial is outside, sometimes dogs do eliminate in the ring, so try to get him to potty before hand.

If you have a buddy or spouse willing to come with you, than decide whether your dog will be more calm in his crate or with your buddy holding the lead while you do the run through. Find out if crates are allowed at ringside if you are inside. I have done a number of things, one leaving the dog in the car, another was crating the dog at ringside.

Do the run through three times or more. The first time you should be listening to the judge. Most of the ones I have gone through with walk the course with you and explain what they are looking for, tight leads, three complete steps back, etc., the second time try to imagine the length of your dog and how the dog is doing each sign. Use your hand motions and talk to your virtual dog. Others will be doing this and you will NOT look crazy. The third time you should try to memorize the course and fine tune what you are going to do and when. This sounds complicated. It is not. It is fun. You should have a blast.

There are a few nutjob judges out there. I have heard of them. I never encountered one. Most of the judges are awesome. They treat you as though you personally are the future of the AKC, which you are. They will generally spend time to explain what they marked you down for.

Remember that if you are having trouble with a sign, do the whole sign over. You cannot go back after you do the next sign though. So if you have a SIT DOWN Walk Around and the dog pops up before you get all the way around, you might say, Do Over, and then walk a little back -- not past the previous sign, walk into it, SIT, then DOWN, then walk around. This will cost 3 points, where the previous will cost you ten.

If you blow by a sign you will NQ. I did that my first time out there. I missed one of the signs in the middle. I had no one with me, so the dog was in the car. I was the first dog and the third dog, Arwen and Rushie were entered, so I knew that I would have to run to put one away and get the next out. I did the run through only once so I could get Arwen up to bat. I got up to to the starting post and the judge told me that I could not have the tags on her collar -- uhg. And I could not have two collars -- had a choke and a flat collar. I pulled the flat collar with tags off and threw it into the grass making a mental note to do that with Rushie too.

Chokes are fine, but not haltis, gentle leaders, prongs, harnesses, etc. Flat collars are ok, but cannot have anything hanging from them (like tags).

Well, I NQd with Arwen, which was sad because she could have done that course off lead. But I took first place with Rushie.

This is a fun event. It is supposed to be an opening -- doorway to AKC Obedience or AKC Agility. The AKC wants visitors at their dog shows to see pretty, well-behaved dogs, with happy owners. They do not want visitors to see people shouting at their dogs, or worse. The judge wants to see you and your dog working together, and having fun. Sharp, crisp commands are not exactly your best bet here. You do not want anyone to think you are cross with the dog. You can talk to the dog the whole time, and pat your leg, give double commands and hand signals. But you cannot give ANY corrections including a leash pop, that will get you NQ'd. So no matter what your dog does in there, when you get over the finish line, praise and be happy with the dog.

Number 1 to remember, HAVE FUN!

If you are nervous pop a mint in your mouth to hide it from your dog. Be sure you finish it before going in the ring though.

NO TREATS in the ring. Even when they call the class back or the qualifiers back for the rewards. If you have them in your pocket, or if you give your dog one you will be NQ'd.

No practicing in the ring. So when you are getting your number, do not go in front of the table if the table is at ringside to get your arm band. (I got yelled at once for that.)

Nobody is out to get you. But Even at the start line, you are not supposed to touch your dog to put it into position. To give the judge a good opinion, when he calls you come calmly to the start line and tell your dog to sit (in heel postion), and look at the judge for his/her direction.

He will say, "Are you ready?" When you say yes, he will say begin. Then the clock starts. Do not worry about the clock. Getting finished three seconds faster than another dog but NQ'd because of a missed station does you know good. Speed only counts if their are two of the same scores.

If they have a change in pace, make it count. Move that brisk walk into a jog so that the dog changes its step. Or Move the brisk walk into a plod, plod until you reach the next sign.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Good Luck!

About the judges, I have titled seven dogs in Rally now, so had 21 qualifying scores. Twice I NQd. Both of these were the same judge, once with Arwen -- my fault missed the sign, the other was with Tori. Tori spooked at the starting line. She recovered, and at sign two I dropped the lead. At sign three I dropped the lead again. (I have carpul tunnel and it happens. When it does, my dogs come back and wait for me to get the lead again.) Well, he dismissed me from the ring because he felt I did not have the dog under control. She was not pulling at all, and I thought he was premature on his decision, but he has to make these decisions. The next day we qualified, and I finished her in Novice B with a 2nd and a 3rd place ribbon.

Every judge has their pet peeves. If you listen to them, they will tell you what they are. Studying the map is not the same as walking the course. Yes, you can probably do it just by looking at the map, but the run through IS a big deal. It also makes a good impression on the judge.

Sorry for the length, I guess I am overdue for a Rally event myself this year.

LuvourGSDs · 04-23-2009, 12:25 AM

WOW, thanks so much for your post & with tons of great info !

This is my 1st rally trial & 1st trial period with my boy Storm ! He is a great love bug, but tends to be dog reactive at TIMES. I just hope he is good Sat. & doesn't make a butt out of us. This is my only worry b/c it's our 1st trial.

Our judge is Mr. Elmer J. Willems (hope he's good)

I have just done our 1st AKC agility trial (with my female, Sable) & it was fun. One extra refusal so, NQ. I have also done NADAC so, I sure know walking the course is important & much better then them maps, they are confusing IMO.

I know it's all about FUN & sure hope it goes good.

Do you have time to go get your dog after the walk through ? I am taking a friend, but not sure if I should crate him, leave in the car, etc ?

9 am is walk through & 9:10 am Novice A starts....................(Columbus, OH)

Boy, thanks again & wish us luck. Mr. Storm better be a good boy.

LuvourGSDs · 04-23-2009, 12:25 AM

Oh, BTW congrats on all your titles ! GREAT job !

agilegsds · 04-23-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted By: LuvourGSs

Our judge is Mr. Elmer J. Willems (hope he's good)

He's a wonderful judge and I love to show under him. He's fair, yet not a pushover, as it should be. I showed under him with Star in my first obedience trial in Novice A for her first CD leg. And I showed under him in rally this past December and almost got lost on the course enough to NQ (first time I was lost after 80+ rally Q's). But I did recover without NQing and after the awards he came up to me and told me that he was cheering for me when he saw I was lost and was very happy when I figured it out. Not a lot of judges would do that.

So I think you're in good hands. Have fun and good luck!

selzer · 04-23-2009, 07:30 PM

It really depends on where you are situated in the line-up and where you are allowed to park. If you are bringing a friend, that is generally ideal, they can wait with the dog at ringside. If you are nervous about your friend managing your dog with all the other dogs around, crate your dog with your friend in a lawn chair next to the crate with treats.

Don't forget the lawn chairs.

Good luck. You'll have a blast.

LuvourGSDs · 04-23-2009, 11:19 PM

Oh thanks for the chair reminder !

Trial is going to be at Columbus All-Breed Training Club, not sure on the setup there. Will take my crate in case.

Let's just hope he will focus (not great with distractions) & he's a good boy for the day ! Just as long as no major wirey dogs come at him, all should be fine.

~Thanks again~

selzer · 04-24-2009, 12:06 AM

Good luck. Ninja lunged at a gigantic Doberman today. Errrgh!!!!

I am taking her for a CGC on May 2nd at a show outside. The CGC class I am in will take the test at the end of the classes. Hopefully, I will take one of these tests just for fun.

This is an outside show and last year it rained and rained and some of the dogs did not want to lie down in the wet grass.

So, unless you are well tuned into the weather, and there is no chance of rain on that day, if your class is outside, then you should practice making your dogs do mock courses in your yard. If you must get out the garden hose and wet it down.

There are many, many more distractions outside than inside. Children going by on bicycles are a favorite.

BlackPuppy · 04-24-2009, 01:45 PM

One more.

Do not enter the ring until invited by the judge. I learned this one later from the Rally Yahoogroup.

I also get my dog into working mode before entering the ring so he thinks his job is already started.

I love Rally!

And don't forget you can ask the ring stewards if you don't know the proper procedure for something.

LuvourGSDs · 04-26-2009, 01:10 PM

We Q yesterday , but didn't place or get the pretty AKC ribbon, lol ! Just happy we Q & had a great time.

Thanks sooooo much to Bucksmom for going with me to help out & for taking all the great pics !

Had fun, was nervous, but it wasn't too bad !

04-22-2009, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Any tips for someone that's going to do their 1st Rally trial this weekend ? In Novice ~how many signs do they use, is it pretty easy or depend on judge, can dog on flat collar or choker ? Any other info of your 1st Rally trial you wish to share............... ~Thanks~ __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

04-22-2009, 10:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
selzer Crowned Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denmark, Ohio Posts: 17,499	Re: Any tips It is in the rules and I do not have the book on me. It is a range of signs -- 13-16 or something like that. I simply cannot remember. Have you an obedience title on any dog? If so you are in Novice B and you will have no problems at all. If Rally is your first sport, then you should be in Novice A, which means you will be up against other green dogs and other green handlers. I LOVED Novice A. The biggest thing you can do on show day is come early and RELAX. Show day is NOT the day to sharpen a skill or train something new. In fact, it is best to come early and let the dog potty. If you are worried, do not feed the dog breakfast (it is hard to eliminate that which is not there). If the trial is outside, sometimes dogs do eliminate in the ring, so try to get him to potty before hand. If you have a buddy or spouse willing to come with you, than decide whether your dog will be more calm in his crate or with your buddy holding the lead while you do the run through. Find out if crates are allowed at ringside if you are inside. I have done a number of things, one leaving the dog in the car, another was crating the dog at ringside. Do the run through three times or more. The first time you should be listening to the judge. Most of the ones I have gone through with walk the course with you and explain what they are looking for, tight leads, three complete steps back, etc., the second time try to imagine the length of your dog and how the dog is doing each sign. Use your hand motions and talk to your virtual dog. Others will be doing this and you will NOT look crazy. The third time you should try to memorize the course and fine tune what you are going to do and when. This sounds complicated. It is not. It is fun. You should have a blast. There are a few nutjob judges out there. I have heard of them. I never encountered one. Most of the judges are awesome. They treat you as though you personally are the future of the AKC, which you are. They will generally spend time to explain what they marked you down for. Remember that if you are having trouble with a sign, do the whole sign over. You cannot go back after you do the next sign though. So if you have a SIT DOWN Walk Around and the dog pops up before you get all the way around, you might say, Do Over, and then walk a little back -- not past the previous sign, walk into it, SIT, then DOWN, then walk around. This will cost 3 points, where the previous will cost you ten. If you blow by a sign you will NQ. I did that my first time out there. I missed one of the signs in the middle. I had no one with me, so the dog was in the car. I was the first dog and the third dog, Arwen and Rushie were entered, so I knew that I would have to run to put one away and get the next out. I did the run through only once so I could get Arwen up to bat. I got up to to the starting post and the judge told me that I could not have the tags on her collar -- uhg. And I could not have two collars -- had a choke and a flat collar. I pulled the flat collar with tags off and threw it into the grass making a mental note to do that with Rushie too. Chokes are fine, but not haltis, gentle leaders, prongs, harnesses, etc. Flat collars are ok, but cannot have anything hanging from them (like tags). Well, I NQd with Arwen, which was sad because she could have done that course off lead. But I took first place with Rushie. This is a fun event. It is supposed to be an opening -- doorway to AKC Obedience or AKC Agility. The AKC wants visitors at their dog shows to see pretty, well-behaved dogs, with happy owners. They do not want visitors to see people shouting at their dogs, or worse. The judge wants to see you and your dog working together, and having fun. Sharp, crisp commands are not exactly your best bet here. You do not want anyone to think you are cross with the dog. You can talk to the dog the whole time, and pat your leg, give double commands and hand signals. But you cannot give ANY corrections including a leash pop, that will get you NQ'd. So no matter what your dog does in there, when you get over the finish line, praise and be happy with the dog. Number 1 to remember, HAVE FUN! If you are nervous pop a mint in your mouth to hide it from your dog. Be sure you finish it before going in the ring though. NO TREATS in the ring. Even when they call the class back or the qualifiers back for the rewards. If you have them in your pocket, or if you give your dog one you will be NQ'd. No practicing in the ring. So when you are getting your number, do not go in front of the table if the table is at ringside to get your arm band. (I got yelled at once for that.) Nobody is out to get you. But Even at the start line, you are not supposed to touch your dog to put it into position. To give the judge a good opinion, when he calls you come calmly to the start line and tell your dog to sit (in heel postion), and look at the judge for his/her direction. He will say, "Are you ready?" When you say yes, he will say begin. Then the clock starts. Do not worry about the clock. Getting finished three seconds faster than another dog but NQ'd because of a missed station does you know good. Speed only counts if their are two of the same scores. If they have a change in pace, make it count. Move that brisk walk into a jog so that the dog changes its step. Or Move the brisk walk into a plod, plod until you reach the next sign. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Good Luck! About the judges, I have titled seven dogs in Rally now, so had 21 qualifying scores. Twice I NQd. Both of these were the same judge, once with Arwen -- my fault missed the sign, the other was with Tori. Tori spooked at the starting line. She recovered, and at sign two I dropped the lead. At sign three I dropped the lead again. (I have carpul tunnel and it happens. When it does, my dogs come back and wait for me to get the lead again.) Well, he dismissed me from the ring because he felt I did not have the dog under control. She was not pulling at all, and I thought he was premature on his decision, but he has to make these decisions. The next day we qualified, and I finished her in Novice B with a 2nd and a 3rd place ribbon. Every judge has their pet peeves. If you listen to them, they will tell you what they are. Studying the map is not the same as walking the course. Yes, you can probably do it just by looking at the map, but the run through IS a big deal. It also makes a good impression on the judge. Sorry for the length, I guess I am overdue for a Rally event myself this year. __________________ RIP Arwen, CD RN CGC RIP Whitney, RN CGC Jenna, RN CGC Babs, CD RA CGC Herding Instinct Certificate Heidi, RA CGC Tori, RN CGC SG3 Odessa, SchH1, Kkl1, AD Ninja, RN CGC Milla, RN CGC Joy, Star Puppy, RN CGC Dolly & Bear

04-23-2009, 12:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Re: Any tips WOW, thanks so much for your post & with tons of great info ! This is my 1st rally trial & 1st trial period with my boy Storm ! He is a great love bug, but tends to be dog reactive at TIMES. I just hope he is good Sat. & doesn't make a butt out of us. This is my only worry b/c it's our 1st trial. Our judge is Mr. Elmer J. Willems (hope he's good) I have just done our 1st AKC agility trial (with my female, Sable) & it was fun. One extra refusal so, NQ. I have also done NADAC so, I sure know walking the course is important & much better then them maps, they are confusing IMO. I know it's all about FUN & sure hope it goes good. Do you have time to go get your dog after the walk through ? I am taking a friend, but not sure if I should crate him, leave in the car, etc ? 9 am is walk through & 9:10 am Novice A starts....................(Columbus, OH) Boy, thanks again & wish us luck. Mr. Storm better be a good boy. __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

04-23-2009, 12:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Re: Any tips Oh, BTW congrats on all your titles ! GREAT job ! __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

04-23-2009, 07:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
selzer Crowned Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denmark, Ohio Posts: 17,499	Re: Any tips It really depends on where you are situated in the line-up and where you are allowed to park. If you are bringing a friend, that is generally ideal, they can wait with the dog at ringside. If you are nervous about your friend managing your dog with all the other dogs around, crate your dog with your friend in a lawn chair next to the crate with treats. Don't forget the lawn chairs. Good luck. You'll have a blast. __________________ RIP Arwen, CD RN CGC RIP Whitney, RN CGC Jenna, RN CGC Babs, CD RA CGC Herding Instinct Certificate Heidi, RA CGC Tori, RN CGC SG3 Odessa, SchH1, Kkl1, AD Ninja, RN CGC Milla, RN CGC Joy, Star Puppy, RN CGC Dolly & Bear

04-23-2009, 11:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Re: Any tips Oh thanks for the chair reminder ! Trial is going to be at Columbus All-Breed Training Club, not sure on the setup there. Will take my crate in case. Let's just hope he will focus (not great with distractions) & he's a good boy for the day ! Just as long as no major wirey dogs come at him, all should be fine. ~Thanks again~ __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

04-24-2009, 12:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
selzer Crowned Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denmark, Ohio Posts: 17,499	Re: Any tips Good luck. Ninja lunged at a gigantic Doberman today. Errrgh!!!! I am taking her for a CGC on May 2nd at a show outside. The CGC class I am in will take the test at the end of the classes. Hopefully, I will take one of these tests just for fun. This is an outside show and last year it rained and rained and some of the dogs did not want to lie down in the wet grass. So, unless you are well tuned into the weather, and there is no chance of rain on that day, if your class is outside, then you should practice making your dogs do mock courses in your yard. If you must get out the garden hose and wet it down. There are many, many more distractions outside than inside. Children going by on bicycles are a favorite. __________________ RIP Arwen, CD RN CGC RIP Whitney, RN CGC Jenna, RN CGC Babs, CD RA CGC Herding Instinct Certificate Heidi, RA CGC Tori, RN CGC SG3 Odessa, SchH1, Kkl1, AD Ninja, RN CGC Milla, RN CGC Joy, Star Puppy, RN CGC Dolly & Bear

04-24-2009, 01:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Re: Any tips One more. Do not enter the ring until invited by the judge. I learned this one later from the Rally Yahoogroup. I also get my dog into working mode before entering the ring so he thinks his job is already started. I love Rally! And don't forget you can ask the ring stewards if you don't know the proper procedure for something.

04-26-2009, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
LuvourGSDs Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OH Posts: 5,578	Re: Any tips We Q yesterday , but didn't place or get the pretty AKC ribbon, lol ! Just happy we Q & had a great time. Thanks sooooo much to Bucksmom for going with me to help out & for taking all the great pics ! Had fun, was nervous, but it wasn't too bad ! __________________ ~Jen~ Sable~ GSD 7 yrs. NJP, OJP, NAP, NAJ, NA, TN-N, NAC, NJC, CGC Shadow~ BGSD Adopted 6 yrs. RN, CGC Storm~ GSD 5 yrs. RA, TN-N, CGC Skyrah~ GSD Fun Sable Puppy "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."

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