Why Aren’t You Rally-ing With Us?
I really am having as much fun as it looks like I’m having!
There is so much fun to be had at Rally-O class at WPHS! We are continually laughing and having a good time together as dog and humans work together to learn new skills.
Not interested in the competition aspect of the sport? No problem! There is no need to compete or to plan on competing with your dog in order to be successful or have fun in Rally class! Rally is a sport that only continues to build on many of the skills you learned in basic classes–loose leash walking/heel, sit, down, and stay. It is a great way to continue to practice and refine these daily life skills in a new and exciting manner!
If you are interested in getting involved in the competition aspect of Rally-O, you will be armed with all the rules and skills you need in order to be successful in APDT/WCR Rally. One of the Rally classes that I offer, Foundations of Rally, really focuses on precision and improving how well handlers and their dog perform the skills. Many students who have taken the class with no interest in actually competing have fallen in love with the sport and are planning on competing in the future!
It is truly a great way to learn something with your dog–the act of learning something together is so awesome, a challenge, but really awesome. It is also a great source of laughs and smiles as the human ends of the leash remember what it’s like to learn a new skill and how challenging, yet rewarding, it can be. Students support each other through the learning process and laugh with each other when there are mis-steps or getting lost on a course. The environment is absolutely stellar!
Don’t believe me? Here are what some of my Rally students have to say…
Greyson watching his mom very closely as she reads a sign just as closely 🙂
“Rally class has been a great experience. The class is enjoyable for my dog and it has also improved his overall behavior. Because of this class, I noticed that he now maintains focus better and more reliably keeps eye contact with me during loose leash walking, not just in class but anytime we walk around the neighborhood. It also tires him out physically and mentally afterwards, which is extremely helpful for an energetic dog. As an added bonus to the human handler, it raises one’s threshold for getting dizzy while walking around in circles and improves leg-eye coordination.” Remealle and Greyson!
Gracie watches as her mom figures out the right footwork for a pivot 🙂
“When I started working with my dog Gracie two years ago I never dreamed we would be doing a sporting event. All I wanted was to teach her basic obedience. When Tena recommended Rally-O I thought “Why not? We may as well try,” and I’m so glad we did. The combination of obedience and running a course is excellent mental stimulation for her and me – it works both of our brains! Not only that but it’s tons of fun for both us, giving her and I a chance to work together as a team, visibly strengthening the bond we already have together. I can’t wait to take what we’ve learned in the classroom into the competition arena.” Sherrianne and Gracie
Gracie missed rally photo day, but here’s one when she earned her BA!
“Rally classes have been great for my dog Gracie. Because the skills are so different from her standard obedience or manners classes, it’s been fun to watch my seven year old dog’s brain work as she figures it all out – and she loves it. It turns out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks in Rally-O.” Sandra and Gracie