Last time we talked about the path that the handler walks in relation to the signs on the course. (March 2021 issue – Intro to Rally). We have also reviewed signs #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 (January & March issues – Intro to Rally). To review, if you will be continuing in the same direction after performing a sign, the sign will be on your right. If you are changing directions, the sign will be in front of you. The signs are numbered, beginning at #1 and are to be done in numerical 

order or you will not qualify.

We’ll be talking about signs #1 & 2 today ‐ the START and the FINISH signs.

We’ll also talk a little about ring entry. If your dog can get into a ring and be able to focus on you (pay attention) when you arrive at the START sign, you will most likely Qualify! The most difficult part of competing is during the Entry and getting started. Getting your dog to focus on you after getting him out of the crate; moving from the crate to a new location; preparing to enter the ring; entering the ring; seeing the judge in the ring; the judge talking to you; and beginning your heeling from the start. That’s a LOT for your dog (and you) to do and know how to do it. You need to have a plan (criteria). If your plan isn’t working, what will you do?

First, we’ll discuss the START and FINISH signs to see where all this is going. Here is a Video of Entering the ring to get to the START, and Exiting the ring after passing the FINISH sign. In the Novice class, the Start and Finish Signs Video: https://youtu.be/M6MywUbiLNA

RING ENTRY: To practice entering a ring, practice with your dog going between different barriers that may resemble a ring entrance. The entrance is generally about 6 feet wide. You can use cones, step in posts, baby gates, and even two chairs (back‐to‐back) if you don’t have the others. See how your dog reacts to this ENTRY distraction. Can you keep him focused on you as you go through this entrance? If so, you should give your dog a jackpot! You initially just walk through asking nothing of your dog except to heel with you. Once, he’s ok with this, then you can add a sit, then a turn and sit, then a turn and sit with someone saying “Are You Ready?”, then add your response. All are done sequentially and not at the same time. Jackpots each time. Then have fun exiting the ring with some interaction with your dog.

Here are two typical ring entrances that judges use:

Here is the link for printing out signs.

https://k9rally.com/Documents/2020SeptRallySignsSingles.pdf

Current AKC Rally Regulations:

http://images.akc.org/pdf/AKC1193_ROR001_1217_WEB.pdf

In the next Intro to Rally article I will help you to understand about the “Call Front” signs. There are several Call Front exercises in all classes of Rally. There are six Call Front signs in Novice. It’s good to get them down right from the start!