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Calendar of Events
Rally-O Show Rules & Class Definitions
AKC Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the Rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.
The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal pace with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect “heel position” is not required. Any faults in traditional obedience that would be evaluated and scored as a one-point deduction or more should be scored the same in Rally unless otherwise mentioned in the Rally Regulations. After the judge’s “Forward” order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.
Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.
General Rules:
- All exercises are judged on leash and all dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash.
- The leash must be made of fabric or leather and needs to be long enough to provide adequate slack.
- Rally Novice A and B must have between 10 - 15 stations (Start and Finish not included) with a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) Stationary Exercises per class.
- Rally Advanced Class. All exercises are judged off leash and all dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash.
- Rally Advanced A and B must have between 12 - 17 stations (Start and Finish not included) with a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of seven (7) stationary exercises; courses shall have a minimum of three (3) Advanced level stations plus one (1) required jump per class.
- Rally Excellent Class. All exercises are judged off leash except the Honor exercise. Handlers must provide a 6 foot leash when participating in the Honor exercise. All dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash.
- Rally Excellent must have between 15 - 20 stations (Start and Finish not included) with a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of seven (7) stationary exercises. Courses shall have a minimum of three (3) Advanced level stations, and a minimum of two (2) Excellent level stations, plus the two (2) required jumps and the Honor exercise per class.
- Unlike in the Rally Novice and Advanced Classes, in Rally Excellent, handlers are not allowed to pat their legs or clap their hands to encourage the dog. Verbal encouragement, multiple commands, and/or inaudible signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. Handlers may not touch their dog or make any physical corrections.
Class Descriptions
Rally Novice A Class:
To be eligible for entry in this class, dogs may not have won an AKC Rally Novice
(RN) title or any AKC obedience title prior to the close of entries. A handler must own the dog entered or
be a member of the owner’s household or immediate family. The handler may not have previously
handled any dog that has earned an AKC rally title or any AKC obedience title. A person may enter more
than one dog in this class. After a dog earns the Rally Novice (RN) title, it may continue to compete in this
class for 60 days. No dog may be entered in both Rally Novice A and Rally Novice B at any one trial.
Rally Novice B Class:
Any dog may be entered in this class until a qualifying score in the Rally Advanced
class is earned. The owner or any other person may handle dogs in this class. A person may enter more
than one dog in this class. No dog may be entered in both Rally Novice A and Rally Novice B at any one
trial.
Rally Advanced A Class:
To be eligible for this class dogs shall have won the Rally Novice (RN) title but
have not won the Rally Advanced (RA) title or any AKC obedience title, prior to the close of entries. A
handler must own the dog entered or be a member of the owner’s household or immediate family. A
person may enter more than one dog in this class. After a dog earns the Rally Advanced (RA) title, it may
continue to compete in this class for 60 days. No dog may be entered in both Rally Advanced A and Rally
Advanced B at any one trial.
Rally Advanced B Class:
To be eligible for entry into this class, competing dogs shall have won the
Rally Novice (RN) title prior to close of entries. A dog completing the Rally Advanced (RA) title may
continue to compete in this class indefinitely. The owner or any other person may handle the dog in this
class. A person may enter more than one dog in this class. No dog may be entered in both Rally
Advanced A and Rally Advanced B at any one trial.
Rally Excellent A Class:
To be eligible for entry into this class, competing dogs shall have won the Rally
Advanced (RA) title, but have not won the Rally Excellent (RE) title or any AKC obedience title, prior to
the close of entries. A handler must own the dog entered or be a member of the owner’s household or
immediate family. A person may enter more than one dog in this class. After earning the Rally Excellent
(RE) title, a dog may continue to compete in this class for 60 days. No dog may be entered in both Rally
Excellent A and Rally Excellent B at any one trial.
Rally Excellent B Class:
To be eligible for entry in this class, competing dogs shall have won the Rally
Advanced (RA) title prior to the close of entries. A dog completing the Rally Excellent (RE) title may
continue to compete in this class indefinitely. The owner or any other person may handle dogs in this
class. A person may enter more than one dog in this class. No dog may be entered in both Rally
Excellent A and Rally Excellent B at any one trial. Two jumps must be used for this class. Jumps may be
any jump or any combination of the jumps used as standard equipment in the AKC obedience classes
(Broad Jump, High Jump, or Bar Jump), except that 4 foot wide jumps may be used in place of 5 foot
wide jumps. Various colors and decorations are allowed; however, there must be nothing hanging from
the jump. Jumps may not be used consecutively on the course.