Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Dog Rally

I never knew such a thing called dog rally existed until this past year.  Our dog trainer did a short introduction into what it was at the end of our last class, and had us do a simplified run through, and it's been in the back of my mind ever since.  The point of this post is to share with you what I know about rally (which is in the beginning stages) and possibly spark some interest in you, and also to encourage you to share any experience you have with rally yourself.  I am very interested in participating in a rally event with my boys, possibly this summer (or whenever they might be ready).  I think it looks like a lot of fun and could be very beneficial to both my dogs and myself in a few different ways.  If you're unfamiliar as I was, in a nutshell it is a trail you walk with your dog and it has a series of "stops" you make along the way.  At each stop there is a command you have to complete with your dog.  One might be "sit, down, sit" for example.  You would have to learn the commands and how work with your dog to successfully carry them out and each post.  One of the biggest reasons it sparked my attention was that unlike agility (which also interests me s great deal) age and size isn't as big a factor in rally as it is in agility.  Piper is 9 and Murray is 5 and they both are close to 100 lbs.  This could appropriate for both of them to participate in.  It's also always good to keep yourself (and your dog) fresh and up to date with your dog obedience training.  Rally seems like a great way to do this.  In order to participate you would need to keep yourself and your dog practiced in the rally commands.  Regular practice and participation seems like great reinforcement.  On a side note...I'm a firm believer in positive reinforcement training, as well.  I'm lucky Murray thrives on positive attention.  He loves a reward treat, but he is also just as happy if he knows I am happy.... Rally also looks like a great way to incorporate some bonding activities with your dog.  It would automatically create a mutual working relationship between owner and dog.  Investing your time and energy in this way can't help but develop strong ties.  I like that it's not just about the human or just about the dog, but the focus is on the team effort.  What kind of team would you and your dog make?  There are lots of  great resources online.  The American Kennel Club, in particular, has some great, free information on rally.   

Please feel free to comment and share any thoughts or experiences you have with rally.  I would like to learn all I can!  Thank You!

 

        
  

17 comments:

  1. Any walk is GOOD. We don't think we'd do too well on that one because we're all short and don't see the point of 'down...or even sit, sometimes.'

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  2. Treats for me thank-you-very-much.

    You can keep your praise for yourself.

    Nora

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  3. :-D Oh yes...Rally seems like a great deal of fun! My school has classes on it all the time! If it wasn't for that pesky...no down thing I have, we would have taken classes in it a while ago! I hope that you all have a wonderful time learning and competing!! :-D We also are firm believers in positive reinforcement...especially when hot dogs and cheese are involved!! Hehehe!! I hope you get your BarkBox real quickly!

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  4. Woof1 Woof! Been to rally in my younger years. It was FUN. Yes a great bonding experience with mom/dad. Great way to learn the basic commands ... you'll master it quicker (mom says I did). Have FUN. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  5. Ohh, we did a rally class a year or two ago, and it was SO fun!! Momma keeps saying we need to find another one. I was SO good at it. :)

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  6. I did Rally with Norbert a few years ago and it was fun

    urban hounds

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  7. That sounds like fun. We will keep our ears open for any Rally around here!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Online Doods

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  8. You are so right about Rally!! When you have a smart dog with lots of energy, the things your dog can learn are endless. Rally as you know places the emphasis on having FUN with your dog while you work on that precision and speed. You can talk to them and interact in a much more natural way. And just like you mentioned in your post, if you’re looking for a way to bond and work with your dog and have some FUN doing it a Rally Class is the thing to do--I've no doubt you'll all have great fun!! Let us know how it goes!!!

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  9. We had considered this type of class for Hailey, but then we moved an hour drive away. Maybe we will have to make our own up!

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  10. I have never heard of it before, but This sounds like fun. Love the idea.. Enjoy!

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  11. My sister...who shows her dogs...has been through all kinds of rally training...and all the dogs just love it!! Her dogs are smaller...about 35 pounds. Give it a try...bet you will love it! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

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  12. This sounds great fun, wish we had one near us, Mollie would love it :) xx0xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  13. Sounds like fun. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  14. I did AKC Rally with both my boys as a way to work toward their breed versatility award. I took one class, and familiarized myself with the signs. The beginning level, called Novice, is quite easy, done entirely on leash. Both boys earned their Rally Novice title (which requires 3 successful legs (or tries) to complete) in just 3 attempts. It really was a lot of fun and they enjoyed all the practice treats! Agility is my first love, but I can see this being a close second.

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  15. I've never heard of this before. It sounds like a fun way of keeping in training.

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  16. Hello! Thanks for stopping by our blog today, very nice to meet you too!
    Mom's hobby is obedience & rally training. We love spending the time together. Bailey has his Rally Novice and Beginner Novice Obedience titles, Hazel has Rally Novice and Companion Dog obedience titles. I, Greta have been going to classes since I was a puppy (I just turned 1), I am very athletic for a pug and Mom hopes to run agility with me in addition to rally and obedience.
    Hope you will visit us again
    the PugRanch Kids
    Bailey, Hazel & Greta

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