Getting Started

[oranges81]

What would you suggest to get starting with Rally O? I'm gonna be training my boy to do agility and rally. Since I have an agility club here that's no big deal. But what should I look for in finding a trainer to help me teach/learn rally? And what books do you recommend? I've only got Click your way to rally-o (thank you dad! Lol )

[amjrchamberlain]

Hi there! Rally is *SO MUCH FUN*!! Very addicting too!

An instructor that has done Rally is the best place to learn it from, imo. But, if no one is available to you that has Rally experience, you can have an obedience trainer teach you most of the skills that you will need to successfully compete in Rally. Or, if you are adventurous, you can even teach yourself!

The websites that I recommend for Rally are:

The AKC Rally-O Website: http://www.akc.org/events/rally/getting_started.cfm
It will list the rules and regs for Rallycompetition, has printable signs, and has a "getting started" section.

http://www.rallyobedience.com/
Has a template for making your own Rally-O Course design, more rally info and links, etc.

As for books - I really dont' have any that are Rally specific. I have Success is in the Proofing that covers proofing for Rally and Obedience.

Best Wishes!

[amjrchamberlain]

Oh my goodness...I just realized you are in Canada! LOL

Here are more links:

http://www.canadianrallyo.ca/

http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?ta...ID=125&prevID=

Hope these help...

[oranges81]

Lol. Thanks! I've already sent an email to my trainer asking if she has any experience. *crosses fingers*

[IliamnasQuest]

Like Angela said, most good obedience instructors can help you with all the skills needed for rally. Novice rally is about as basic you can get (personally I think it's easier to get a novice rally title than it is to get a CGC). But from the very beginning you should (hopefully) have the goal of doing the advanced levels, and with that in mind you'll want to do the basic work for solid left turns, backing, etc.

Teaching your dog to move the rump back for a left turn is the key to a good 180, 270 or 360 degree left turn. In fact, when you get to the advanced levels they even have 180 pivots where you have to turn in place and the dog has to back around. It's hard to explain how to teach this, so if you can find someone who can demonstrate and explain it is best. All of my students learn how to teach their dogs to shift their rumps back around and it's really neat to watch them. AND it transfers over to regular obedience and freestyle too!

Good luck and have fun!

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

[oranges81]

Thanks! I found out my trainer is starting up Rally classes this fall so they'll be running when I get my boy. So that helps a lot.