An Intro to Rally - 6

 This is the 6th edition of the Introduction to Rally.

Today we’ll be discussing Placement of Signs and three of the seven Novice “CONE” exercises.  

Section 22. Placement of Signs.

Signs should be placed to the right of the handler’s path unless otherwise stated in these Regulations. Exact placement of signs will be made by the judge while walking the course along the path that will be taken by the handlers.

Signs indicating a change in direction should be placed directly in front of the team. Signs that require the handler and dog to sidestep to the right or left will be placed in the initial path of the team.

Cone/ Pylon Exercises:  (1) Signs may be placed on the first pylon.  (2) Signs can be placed to the right before you reach the first pylon.  (3) Signs can be placed right next to the first pylon.  The judges will place the sign where they thinks is most convenient for their course.

If your dog goes on the wrong side of a cone, just back up to get him on the correct side.  Make sure you both are on the correct side of all the cones while doing the exercise.

Note: Performance of the signs should begin before and near the designated sign unless otherwise stated in the Regulations. (If you stop after passing a sign and need to refer to it, you won’t be able to see it). The team may occasionally need to drift to approach a sign correctly.  As much as we want them to be, courses are not linear.  Drifting will be subtle.


Signs #s 24, 41, 42.  These are 3 of the 7 Novice cone exercises.  You will be weaving between cones. It’s important for you to know if you will be entering into the weave with the first pylon on your left or right side.  This information will be in the description of the exercise.  Cone exercises can end up going many different directions beyond the last cone.  This is explained clearly in the notes written for these cone exercises.  Touching or knocking over a cone will result in a scoring deduction.  If you knock over a cone, you may reset it if you need to use that cone again. 


                                                      24                     41                       42          


SIGN #24. Serpentine Weave Once
AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1L0W7FE25c
Description: This sign requires four pylons placed in a straight line with spaces between them of approximately 6-8 feet. The dog and handler will enter into the weave with the first pylon on their left side. They must complete the entire weave once.

Notes: The exercise sign is placed on or near the first pilon or post where the exercise is started. Entry into this weaving pattern is with the first pylon or post on the dog/handler’s left side. The dog and handler must complete the entire exercise by passing the last pylon or post. Make sure you give your dog a wide enough birth to not hit the cones as you are weaving.  Practice this during the walk through with your “pretend” dog.  Once you are finished performing it, and you have passed the last cone, the next sign can be almost anywhere except behind you on the left.  It should be noted that in this exercise, the team does not weave back through the obstacles. Bumping a cone will result in a scoring deduction. If you knock over a cone, you may reset it.

SIGN #41. OFFSET SERPENTINE RIGHT
AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJvVq1Fxi8
Description: This sign requires three pylons. The center pylon will be offset to the right by 3-4 feet with the other two spaced approximately 6-8 feet apart. The dog and handler will enter into the weave with the first pylon on their right side. They must complete the entire serpentine together.
Notes: These cones are pretty close together.  The first and third cone are only 6 feet apart with the 2nd cone offset by 3-4 feet.  Make sure you enter on the left of the first cone.  Give your dog enough room not to hit cones 2.  Take it ease and slow down a bit to help you keep it smooth. If your dog interferes with your freedom of motion, you will be penalized.

SIGN #42. Offset Serpentine Left
AKC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCqP1qsb9ZE
Description: This sign requires three pylons. The center pylon will be offset to the left by 3-4 feet with the other two spaced approximately 6-8 feet apart. The dog and handler will enter into the weave with the first pylon on their left side. They must complete the entire serpentine together.
Notes: These cones are pretty close together.  The first and third cone are only 6 feet apart with the 2nd cone offset by 3-4 feet.  Make sure you enter on the right of the first cone.  Give your dog enough room not to hit cones 1 & 3.  Take it ease and slow down a bit to help you keep it smooth. If your dog interferes with your freedom of motion, you will be penalized.

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

This course also has a signs (#s 3 & 14) from #1 & #4 courses. 

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.  The sign can be on the first cone of each cone exercise.














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