Hello everyone,

In this issue, I would like to introduce the UKC Rally Program. The revised program went into effect on July 2, 2020 with the addition of many new signs and a completely new level. 

To compete in any of our events, all dogs must be permanently registered with UKC or have a Performance Listing (PL) number. Dogs may also compete on a Temporary Listing (TL) number that can be issued any time before, or even on, the day of the event. Dogs with a TL number will need to have a permanent registration number before titles will be issued. 

Introduction to Rally

The UKC concept of Rally Obedience was derived from the long-standing traditional exercises found in Obedience. Before Rally became a competitive sport, many handlers used to do what was called “doodling” with their dogs while they were training for competitive obedience. This variety of warmup and freestyle type exercises helped to teach specific skills that improved the performance and accuracy of the competitive obedience dog. Over time and development, these skills eventually became known as Rally Obedience. 

UKC Rally Obedience is a fun, fast-paced demonstration of a dog and handler’s ability to perform basic obedience exercises during an uninterrupted presentation without any direction from the judge. The overall performance should be exhibit happiness, enthusiasm, and show the ability of the dog and handler to work together as a team. 

Differences between Rally Obedience and Traditional Obedience

Some of the major differences between Rally Obedience and Obedience is the amount of communication that is allowed between dog and handler, the minimum point deduction allowed, and the specific location for heel position. In UKC Rally Obedience, handlers are allowed unlimited communication with the dog in the form of verbal praise and encouragement. 

The use of hand signals and verbal commands may be used separately or together for all exercises. Handlers may pat their leg, clap their hands, and encourage attention at any time during the performance. Dogs can receive a non-qualifying score if they are unresponsive or refuse to perform an exercise after several commands.  

The minimum point deduction in Rally Obedience is one point. If the error does not warrant a full point deduction for any part of the exercise, the judge cannot take the deduction. Deductions are given for any normal errors that are also present in obedience. For example, a slow response, heeling imperfections, luring, incorrectly performed stations, and handler errors. Handlers can repeat a missed station or exercise one time if they have not committed to the next station. If they do not perform the exercise correctly after repeating either all the exercise, or the part of the exercise they failed, they will receive a non-qualifying score. Point deductions in Rally Obedience consist of a minor fault of one or two points, a major fault of 3 or more points, specifically described mandatory faults of 10 points, or a non-qualifying score. 

Heel position in rally is defined as a dog under control and on the handler’s left side within a 1-foot range in any direction. Points cannot be deducted for heeling if the dog is withing the 1-foot distance of the hander unless there are other factors involved such as a tight leash or guiding. This would include walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Heeling is always done at a normal pace with the dog walking briskly and naturally with the dog’s body straight and parallel to the line of forward motion. 

In all UKC Rally Obedience classes except Master, whenever the exercise asks for a “stand” the handlers may signal, command, or turn towards the dog and use physical contact to stand the dog. The handler must then return to heel position before continuing forward. In the Master class, whenever there is a moving exercise that involves “stand,” “down,” or “sit,” the handler may not pause or touch the dog to help position them for the required exercise. 

UKC Rally Obedience Classes & Titles

Ring sizes for all Rally Obedience classes must be at least 40 x 50 feet. Judges can design a course however they wish if the stations meet the criteria set for each level. Rally Obedience class levels consist of Rally Obedience Level 1 (R01), Rally Obedience Level 2 (R02), Rally Obedience Level 3 (R03), and Rally Obedience Master (ROM). Each class has an “A” or “B” division with R01 having an “A,” “B,” and “C” division. The “C” class is only offered at the R01 Level and is restricted to dogs that have earned the R01, R02, R03 or ROM title. It is for handlers that still wish to compete at the R01 level, however, the R01C class is not eligible for High In Trial. 

In Rally Obedience, as in Obedience, handlers may choose either standard or minimum jump height when entered in R03 or the ROM class. Jumps are not allowed in the R01 or R02 classes. The high and bar jump can be used in the R03 class while the High, Bar, and Broad jump are allowed in the ROM class. 

Rally Obedience titles are earned in licensed UKC Rally Obedience events after three qualifying scores are earned in three different trials for each level. A qualifying score requires the successful completion of all stations and a score of 70 or better. There are no restrictions on the number of qualifying scores that may be earned under the same judge. Titles must be earned in succession from R01 through R0M. 

UKC Rally Signs

UKC Rally signs are color coded for easier identification. The size of each rally sign must be a minimum of 8.5 x 11’ and printed in a landscape format. Laminated signs are available for purchase at the UKC website store. The background color of the sign must be white. Signs may be black and white except when there is a “HALT” required, which must be a red hexagon with the word HALT in white letters against the red background. 

The following are color and shape specifics to help exhibitors when performing the exercises:

Red Octagon: Designates a halt. 

Dark Green line or arrow: Designates handler or handler/dog movement. 

Light Green line or arrow: Designates movement from the dog only.

Orange Shape: Designates a position the dog must take and will be in a specific shape:

•Sit: Triangle

•Down: Irregular Pentagon

•Stand: Rectangle. 

Blue X, line or arrow: Designates movement or a position or place for the handler.  

UKC Rally Obedience Class Specifics

There are a total of 107 different Rally Obedience signs for the R01 through ROM levels plus 9 duplicate signs, 2 shift signs, the honor sit, honor down, start, finish, and enter and exit signs. 

Each level in Rally Obedience allows for a course familiarization following the judge’s briefing for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Handlers will be allowed to walk the course without their dogs to plan their strategy or ask any questions they may have to clarify their understanding of the exercise. Instructors may walk the course with their students even if they are not entered in the class or trial. 

Rally Obedience 1: The Rally 1 class consists of 15 – 17 exercise signs from a bank of 139 exercise signs. All exercises are performed on leash and are entry level exercises.