RA270 Get Ready to Rally - The Signs and Adding Precision and Fluency
During this class, we will focus on learning the signs of the four most popular Rally venues: AKC, WCRL, UKC, and ASCA. If you compete in another venue and need help with a sign that we are not covering, let me know and we’ll add it! We will review each sign and explain exactly how the sign should be performed, including practicing any footwork that is needed for the sign, plus moving into and out of the sign. We will also start to acclimate your dog to the signs on the ground as well as practice staying connected to your dog when you are distracted by the signs. In addition, we will continue to build on the skills that were taught in the first Get Ready to Rally class by adding precision and fluency. By the end of this course, you and your dog will have a solid understanding of how to perform each sign correctly and you both will be navigating past the signs confidently while staying connected to each other.
Course Details
This class will feature a TA (Teacher's Assistant), Ann Smorado. Ann will be active in the bronze study group and can review videos for bronze and silvers students.
Here's a trailer for the class!
Here is a video of one of my students competing in AKC Rally Novice A. Her border collie Ranger earned a perfect score on this run!
Syllabus
This information is subject to change:
Week One: Sit and Down and Stand in Heel Position
Week Two: Fronts and Finishes
Week Three: Turns and Moving Side Step and Left About Turn
Week Four: Short Heeling Segments
Week Five: Pace Changes
Week Six: Stays
1.1 Halt Sit
1.2 Halt 1 Step 2 Steps 3 Steps
1.3 Halt Down
1.4 Stop and Down
1.5 Halt Sit Down Sit
1.6 Teaching the Stand
1.7 Halt Stand
1.8 Acclimation to Signs
2.1 Call Front Finish Right Forward and Call Front Finish Left Forward
2.2 Call Front Finish Right Sit and Call Front Finish Left Sit
2.3 Call Front 1 Step 2 Steps 3 Steps
2.4 Halt Front Finish Right Halt and Halt Front Finish Left Halt
2.5 Staying Connected Around Signs
3.1 Right Turn and Left Turn
3.2 About Turn Right and About U Turn
3.3 270 Right and 270 Left
3.4 360 Right and 360 Left
3.5 Loop Right and Loop Left
3.6 Diagonal Right and Diagonal Left
3.7 Halt Right Turn Forward and Halt Left Turn Forward
3.8 Moving Side Step Right
3.9 Left About Turn
3.10 90 Degree Pivot Right and 90 Degree Pivot Left
3.11 Halt Turn Right 1 Step Halt
4.1 Spiral Right Dog Outside and Spiral Left Dog Inside
4.2 Straight Figure 8 Weave Twice
4.3 Serpentine Weave Once
4.4 Figure 8 No Distractions
4.5 Offset Serpentine Right and Offset Serpentine Left
4.6 About Turn U Turn and U Turn About Turn
4.7 Mini Spiral Right and Mini Spiral Left
5.1 Slow Pace, Fast Pace, and Normal Pace
5.2 Fast Forward from Sit and Slow Forward from Sit
6.1 Halt Walk Around
6.2 Halt Down Walk Around
6.3 Call Front Return to Heel and Call Dog Front Finish Left
6.4 Sit Stay
6.5 Down Stay
6.6 Halt Sit Down Walk Around
In addition, there will be lectures on how to introduce signs on the ground to your dog, and how to stay connected with your dog as you navigate the signs. Supplemental lectures on precision will be added as necessary.
Prerequisites & Supplies
Sample Lecture
RA270 Get Ready to Rally - The Signs and Adding Precision and Fluency
Skill: Sit at Heel
Sign: Halt, Sit
AKC
WCRL
UKC
ASCA
Description
While heeling, the handler stops and the dog sits in heel position. Once the dog has sat, the team heels forward to the next sign.
Video demos
AKC Demo
WCRL Video Description
rallydogs.com/binary/videographics/e100.mp4
Tips
If you are going to verbally cue your dog, do so as you’re stopping, not after you’ve stopped. This will help prepare your dog for the halt. When I halt, I plant my left foot, then bring my right foot up to meet my left. I say sit when I plant my left foot.
Many handlers have the tendency to accidentally step into their dogs on the halt. As a result, dogs may sit wide or crooked. If this happens repeatedly, the dog won’t trust the handler to stay in their own lane, and may start heeling wide. I find that planting your left foot helps prevent stepping into the dog. As you’re halting, be conscious that you are staying in your own lane, and not stepping into your dog.
Once your dog has sat, you may begin heeling to the next sign.
Homework
Show me a few halts! Heel a few steps, do a halt, heel a few more, then reward. Remember to break it down if you need to.
Instructor
Nicole Wiebusch
Faculty
Nicole Wiebusch CPDT-KA (she/her) has been active in dog sports for over 25 years. What began with 4-H quickly grew into a lifelong passion for dog sports. (Click here for full bio and to view Nicole's upcoming courses)...