Rally O

Rally Obedience (commonly called Rally O or just Rally) promotes a positive relationship between the dog and its owner, and it is a great way for the beginner to start trialling with their dog.

Rally O was designed as a way to introduce people who are working through their obedience levels into the world of dog sports and for everyone, whether they are seasoned triallers or not, to simply just have fun with their dog. Rally O provides an environment where the handler can encourage their dog by talking and rewarding by voice, but not handling the dog in any way.

Rally O is often described as a combination of Agility and Obedience.

A Rally O course is set out with numbered stations including a start and finish. Handlers have the opportunity to walk the course to become familiar with it before competing. Dog and handler then navigate the course by following the numbers and carrying out the exercise shown on the sign positioned at each of the numbered stations. Dogs work in the “Heel” position between exercises.

At the entry level of Novice, dogs negotiate a course having between 10 and 15 signs (not including the start and finish) and work on lead during the test. There is a total of 57 signs available to be placed on a Rally course gradually increasing in complexity as the level of Rally becomes higher. The higher levels of Rally, Advanced, Excellent and Master use up to 24 signs including many of the more complex ones and the dog is required to navigate the course with the handler off lead. Encouragement by the use of word rewards and hand signals are permitted, but not touching the dog in any way.

In Rally O competitors complete the course on their own while a Judge scores the round, but does not give voice commands or offer assistance. Rally has a far more relaxed atmosphere than other dog sports and each run is a different series of exercises and you never know what the course will be until you do the preliminary walk through.


Contact Details

The Secretary, Cocker Spaniel Club of Qld Inc
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Email : [email protected]