Maybe the Longest Ever Rally Run

[BlackPuppy]

At the trial last weekend, I think I witnessed the longest ever rally run. I swear it was 15 minutes, but I know it was at least 10 minutes because that's when I started looking at the clock.

For the last 5 signs the dog was throwing out calming signals like crazy; scratching, sniffing the floor. I think I would have given up, but they continued and Q'd with a score of 75. I thought the dog looked uncomfortable when it was brought into the building.

[selzer]

Generally, that would not be tolerated very well. A judge can NQ you and with timing regulations, they often cannot give you that kind of time to finish a run.

Frankly, it sounds pretty sad. Rally should be fun for dog and handler. If the dog is too stressed out, they should take it home and work on its problems.

[agilegsds]

That's the problem with rally in that there are no time limits and the judge has no choice but to let the pain go on.....

I've had to honor twice in Exc. for similar runs - Ugh! (You would think by the time a dog got to Exc. they could at least sit or down on command! ) I don't know how long they both were, had to be at least 10 minutes. Starine, my GSD, held her honor sit. But Kayto, my Sibe, tried to hold onto the sit as long as she could, but with the carpeting in the banquet hall her feet eventually slid out under her. (Bless her heart!). At least when it happened to Kayto, it was no longer an NQ to fail the Honor, but only 10 points, which did cost us 1st place at a specialty. I would have been really mad if Star had NQ'd due to it.

[IliamnasQuest]

Before they changed the regs on the honor stay, you had to stay for a complete run - so if a dog was excused partway through, you had to wait and do the honor stay for the next dog. Poor Khana ended up with two absolutely SLOOOOOOW dogs who made it halfway (in more time than most dogs took for the entire course) before they excused themselves, and then still had to do her honor stay for a full run! Luckily the third dog was on the ball.

The problem with rally is that people tend to think of it as so easy, but when you get to the third level your lack of training in your dog is creating a problem for someone else's dog. I would NEVER take my dog in if I thought I couldn't get through the course in a reasonable amount of time. And if my dog isn't having fun, what's the point?

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

[Liesje]

Ugh, I hate seeing runs like that! Mostly because I am concerned for the dog. They look totally checked out. I think judged should NQ based on that, if they can't NQ based on time. I had a judge once that was NQing for certain behaviors (rightfully so), also NQd a handler because she verbally corrected the dog and it flinched for a second.

I've never had to pull my dog out, but I've had friends who have had their dogs clearly check out. They just smile, pick a sign they *know* the dog can do right and excuse themselves.

[balakai]

Huh, APDT has time limits...

~Kristin

[Liesje]

Another reason I love their venue!

I don't think AKC does but the runs are timed and if you tie you win based on time. We got first place once, three tied for 98 and we won based on time.

[BlackPuppy]

Oh yeah, the dog was wandering around, too.

I remember reading about a venue that starts deducting points when you go over time. Is that APDT?

[LuvWorkingGSDs]

I prefer APDT for rally, but even there I have seen some runs that were complete torture to watch. I don't understand how a judge doesn't dismiss someone when the dog is showing signs of extreme stress and is way past the point of NQing anyways. It may not be pleasant for the owner to be dismissed, but they sure aren't doing the dog any favors by continuing a painful run.

[mjbgsd]

I don't think I've ever seen a run last that long. I've seen a lot of dogs run around the ring, run out of the ring, try to play with dogs once they are offleash, etc but never a long run. 10 minutes is just rediculous... We take maybe a minute, if that.