My Intro to Rally - 5

 This is the 5th edition of the Introduction to Rally

Today we’ll be talking about going around your dog, returning to heel position, and pausing.  We will also discuss the Principal Part of an exercise and Retries.

One of my favorite subjects… You just can’t be reminded often enough about that “pause”!!! It gets even the best handlers. Usually, it gets handlers because they are in a hurry…. Speed Kills in Rally.  I like to tell my students to be comfortable with the pace they are using. “Once you’re comfortable with a sign, you will automatically pick up speed that you can accommodate for any sign.”
Also try not to lean forward after going around your dog. That could mess up your dog into thinking you are continuing and they move forward with your “lean” when you are actually “pausing”.

There are two signs in Rally Novice where you will go around your dog and pause.  You will be leaving from “heel position”, and returning to “heel position” by going around your dog counter clockwise.  These are signs # 30 and 31.  When you get to these signs the first thing is to Halt and your dog will sit.


SIGN #30. HALT - Walk Around
AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39_IaymG6HI
Description: While heeling, the handler halts and the dog sits in heel position. The dog must stay while the handler walks around behind the dog, returns to heel position and pauses.  The handler must pause before heeling forward. (Stationary)

Notes: The most common mistake in this exercise is for the handler NOT to pause after going around the dog.  Please remember to pause when going around your dog.  It’s helpful to have a routine when you do this.  Maybe say the word “pause” while you’re pausing, or say “1001”, which both give you enough time for a pause.  You can also look at the judge and say “pause”.  It will probably bring a smile to the judge’s face.

SIGN #31. HALT – Down – Walk Around
AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnTxiiLzL3c
Description: While heeling, the handler halts and the dog sits in heel position. The dog must then down and stay while the handler walks around behind the dog, returns to heel position and pauses. The dog and handler then heel forward. (Stationary)
Notes: The most common mistake in this exercise is for the handler NOT to pause after going around the dog.  Please remember to pause when going around your dog.  It’s helpful to have a routine when you do this.  Maybe say the word “pause” while you’re pausing, or say “1001”, which both give you enough time for a pause.  MAKE SURE that your dog remains down until you move forward to the next sign.  If your dog anticipates and gets up too soon, it is an IP (-10 pts.).  Some dogs go down slowly.  What the judge is looking for is the dog to immediately begin to go down on your command, not how fast the dog goes down.

There is one sign in Rally Novice where you will be returning to heel position and pausing.  This is sign #35.   You will be returning to “heel position” from the front position.  The first thing you do when you get to this sign is to call your dog to the front.

SIGN #35. Call Front – Return to Heel

AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD3hd-lujdU

Description: While heeling, the handler stops forward motion and may command/signal the dog to front. The handler may take several steps backward. The dog must come and sit in front. The dog must stay while the handler walks around behind the dog to return to heel position. The handler must pause before heeling forward. (Stationary)

Notes: This is one of many Call Front signs.  You may take several steps back on the call front.  Just give your dog the opportunity to give you a straight front.  Dog then stays while you walk around behind your dog to heel position.  Then you MUST PAUSE in heel position!!! If handler does not pause, it is an IP. (-10 pts).

PRINCIPAL PART OF AN EXERCISE and IP:

PAY ATTENTION TO THE BOLD/UNDERLINED PARTS OF THE DESCRIPTIONS.  THOSE PARTS ARE THE PRINCIPAL PART OF THE EXERCISE AND MUST BE DONE. If not done, it will be an IP (Improperly Performed) with a 10-point deduction. The parts that are not bold/underlined can cause point deductions.  If an exercise is retried, the handler must approach the sign again.  By retrying a sign, the 10-point deduction is erased and replaced with a 3-point deduction for the retry.  However, any deductions added when retrying the sign will added to the 3 points.

RETRIES:

This is a repeat of a station.  There is a 3-point deduction for a retry.  This is normally done when you Improperly Perform (IP) an exercise.  Retries are not allowed on the Sit-Stay or any jump.  A retry cannot be done if the team has begun the next station.

Remember to repeat the whole exercise in its entirety, including the approach.  If there is a Halt at the beginning of the sign, repeat the Halt by approaching the sign again.  You should practice this with your dog in class so your practice will be just like a Trial regarding retries.  If you don't practice retries, it may concern your dog at trials.

When redoing an exercise in class, please reward your dog for the extra effort in class, even if it's not perfect!!  You can reward them verbally at a trial!!!

By retrying a sign, all deductions are erased (including IP deductions) and replaced with a 3-point deduction for the retry.  However, any deductions added when retrying the sign are added to the 3 points.

Here’s a course with these signs in it that you can set up to do.  

This course also has a sign (#26) from the introduced last time. 

Hint:  For setting up your course, walk the course with the signs in your hand.  Stay on the course path as you place the signs where they belong – to your right if you are continuing in the same direction, or in front if you if you are turning to a new direction.  Then when you do the course with your dog, the signs won’t be in your way.

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