Rally

What is Rally Obedience?

“Rally” is a sport in which a dog and handler compete to demonstrate their team’s ability to perform basic obedience exercises. A judge will design a course, which is a sequence of obedience tasks to be performed by each team in turn. The number and type of tasks will vary, depending on the venue and ability level of participating teams. All rally courses are timed events. Judging is typically less strict in Rally than it is in “traditional obedience”. There are a number of similarities between Rally, Obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and virtually any other sport requiring a dog and handler to establish an effective working rapport. One very important objective of Rally is to provide a fun, fast-paced environment where teams can showcase the abilities they have developed so they can perform in any environment. Another equally important goal is to provide a competitive experience that will reflect positively upon the teams and the sport. In other words, rally is about having fun!

Here at TCKC, we provide an opportunity to learn about the three major registries that offer Rally Obedience (often abbreviated to Rally-O) here in the Central Illinois area. These three registries are: American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC) and World Cynosport Rally (WCR ). The exercises taught during TCKC classes should give students a fundamental understanding on how to apply these exercises at other Rally registries should they chose to compete. We hold four sessions of classes a year and each session we rotate our focus between AKC and UKC (which are combined because of their similarities) and WCR.

In order to compete in AKC, UKC or WCR, your dog must be registered with each individual registry and have a number assigned. Dogs can register with TCKC to take these rally classes. However, they are not required to be registered with AKC, UKC or WCR to attend classes at TCKC.

Basic requirements for participation in Rally classes at TCKC are:

Minimum requirements for Rally Level 1 or Novice (AKC/UKC and WCR):

Dog must have passed the Canine Good Citizenship Test and/or have Instructor approval.

Minimum requirements for Rally Level 2/3 or Advanced/Excellent (AKC/UKC and APDT): Dog must have passed the Canine Good Citizenship Test and/or have Instructor approval.

Click a class title for additional information.

RALLY CLASS AKC/UKC NOVICE

This class will cover the rules and regulations in AKC and UKC Rally Obedience, as well as the novice level exercises while going through designed courses. This class encourages building teamwork between dog and handler. All exercises are performed on leash.

RALLY CLASS AKC/UKC ADVANCED/EXCELLENT

This class focuses on the advanced and excellent exercises in AKC and UKC Rally Obedience while going through designed courses. This class continues to encourage building teamwork between dog and handler. Working off leash is necessary for competition.

WCR Level 1

This class will cover the rules and regulations in World Cynosport Rally Obedience, as well as the level 1 exercises while going through designed courses. This class encourages building teamwork between dog and handler. All exercises are performed on leash.

WCR Level 2/3

This class will focus on the level 2 and level 3 exercises in World Cynosport Rally Obedience while going through designed courses. This class continues to encourage building teamwork between dog and handler. Off leash work on courses is optional in this class.

Rally Competition

This class offers competition courses from all Rally classes and levels to prepare dog and handler teams for competition. The class is offered only when we have enough students that are currently competing in the different Rally venues.