Rally Call Sign Exercises
ADVANCED RALLY
CHALLENGES
Rally Call Sign Exercises
by Bea Moore
This is the 3rd in a series of the 2021 Advanced Rally articles. We’ll be discussing the seven (7) AKC Rally CALL sign exercises, and how they work.
CALL signs are used as distance markers. They show a handler the distance they are to move to continue with the current sign. The distances handlers will go are 6 ft. and 15 ft. These sign descriptions include the distance the CALL sign is to be placed from the current sign. Sign #311 has the CALL sign 3 ft. beyond the sign. However, after backing up 3 steps, the handler will go about 6 feet to that CALL sign.
AKC came out in 2012 with 4 CALL signs in the Excellent Class. These are numbers 206 – 209 below. Then AKC came out in 2017 with 3 more CALL signs in the (then new) Master class that began in 2017. These are numbers 311, 317 & 318 below.
These CALL signs are always associated with a Change of Direction. You will actually be making an about turn during the performance of these Call signs.
SIGN #299. CALL
Description: This sign will be used as a marker for associated signs.
Notes: This sign is associated with sign #s 206, 207, 208, 209, 311, 317, & 318. This is only a distance marker. The judge may put it on your path, or to the right/left of your path. Make sure you are clear of this sign so you or your dog do not come in contact with it.
HERE ARE THE NAMES OF THE SIGNS, THE DESCRIPTIONS, AN AKC VIDEO OF THE SIGN, AND SOME HELPFUL NOTES THAT I HAVE ADDED.
Sign #s 206 – 209 will have a CALL sign 6 feet beyond it. You will begin these exercises at the sign and then go forward to the CALL sign distance to finish executing these signs.
SIGN #206. Down While Heeling – Call to Finish – Sit.
Description: While heeling, the dog must down and stay as the handler, without pausing, continues about 6 feet to the Call sign and turns to face the dog. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish to the right or left and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
Notes: This sign must have a duplicate sign facing you once you have left your dog. If not, the judge will hopefully make a generic 2nd sign to set there for handlers. You will not pause as you down the dog in this exercise. The reason you know this is because of the words “while heeling” is in the description and is on the sign. They are right on the sign! Now once you have turned to face your dog, do not move your feet again until you are finished and moving to the next sign. Moving your feet is a principal part and will be an IP (10 pts. off).
SIGN #207. Stand While Heeling – Call to Finish – Sit.
Description: While heeling, the dog must stand and stay as the handler, without pausing, continues about 6 feet to the Call sign and turns to face the dog. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish to the right or left and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
Notes: This sign must have a duplicate sign facing you once you have left your dog. If not, the judge will hopefully make a generic 2nd sign to set there for handlers. You will not pause as you stand the dog in this exercise. The reason you know this is because of the words “while heeling” is in the description and is on the sign. They are right on the sign! Now once you have turned to face your dog, do not move your feet again until you are finished and moving to the next sign. It’s a principal part and will be an IP (10 pts. off).
SIGN #208. Stand–Leave–Sit –Call Front –Finish – Sit.
Description: While heeling, the handler will stop forward motion; the dog must stand and stay. The handler will walk about 6 feet to the Call sign and turn to face the dog. The dog must then sit, come and sit in front. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish to the right or left and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
Notes: This sign must have a duplicate sign facing you once you have left your dog. If not, the judge will hopefully make a generic 2nd sign to set there for handlers. You know you will stop at this sign when you stand the dog because the 2nd word on the sign is to “Leave” your dog. The description also says to stop forward motion. You will stop to stand your dog, then you will walk about 6 feet to the Call sign. When you turn to face your dog, you will then sit your dog. To help prevent anticipation, ask your dog to stay before the “sit” command and before the “come” command in training or at the Trial. When training, go back to your dog to reward for a good stay occasionally before continuing. Remember – the dog will SIT in heel position on the finish! All the words are there – Stand – Leave – Sit – Call Front – Finish – Sit! Do them in that order.
SIGN #209. Stand–Leave–Down–Call Front–Finish–Sit.
Description: While heeling, the handler will stop forward motion; the dog must stand and stay. The handler will walk about 6 feet to the Call sign and turn to face the dog. The dog must then down, come and sit in front. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish to the right or left and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
Notes: This sign must have a duplicate sign facing you once you have left your dog. If not, the judge will hopefully make a generic 2nd sign to set there for handlers. You know you will stop at this sign when you stand the dog because the 2nd word is to “Leave” your dog. The description also says to stop forward motion. You will stop to stand your dog, then you will walk about 6 feet to the Call sign. When you turn to face your dog, you will then down your dog. To help prevent anticipation, ask your dog to stay before the “sit” command and before the “come” command in training or at the Trial. When training, go back to your dog to reward for a good stay occasionally before continuing. Remember – the dog will SIT in heel position on the finish! All the words are there – Stand – Leave – Down – Call Front – Finish – Sit! Do them in that order.
Sign # 311 will begin at the sign by going 3 steps backward before continuing the sign. That CALL sign is 3 feet beyond the sign, giving you about 6 feet distance you will travel forward when you leave your dog.
SIGN #311. Backup 3 Steps-Stand & Leave-Call to Finish–Forward.
Description: The Call sign will be placed approximately three feet away from this sign. While heeling, the dog and handler reverse direction and walk backwards at least 3 steps. The handler may pause to stand and leave the dog. The dog must stand and stay until called. The handler will walk to the Call sign and turn to face the dog. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish to the right or left. As the dog clears the handler’s path, the handler will heel forward. (Stationary)
Notes: Just remember to begin this exercise at sign. You will end up at the Call sign, which will be about 6 ft. away, to call your dog. Finish forward on this sign – no sit at finish.
Sign #s 317 & 318 will begin at the sign. You will be leaving your sitting dog and going 15’ to the CALL sign before continuing. These two signs are Recall exercises.
SIGN #317. HALT – Leave – Recall – Finish Right – Sit.
Description: While heeling, the handler halts and the dog sits. The dog must stay while the handler leaves and walks approximately 15 feet to the Call sign, turns and faces the dog. When called, the dog must go directly to the handler and sit in front. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish right and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
SIGN #318. HALT – Leave – Recall – Finish Left – Sit.
Description: While heeling, the handler halts and the dog sits. The dog must stay while the handler leaves and walks approximately 15 feet to the Call sign, turns and faces the dog. When called, the dog must go directly to the handler and sitin front. Without moving their feet, the handler may command/signal the dog to finish. The dog must finish left and sit in heel position. (Stationary)
Notes: This is a 15 ft. recall. The dog will stay, handler will leave; handler will call dog to front; dog will finish to the LEFT and sit. If your dog is unable to stay as you walk away 15 ft., getting him magnetized to a platform would help to give him a good understanding of the stay.
There are 111 signs in Rally. A complete set consists of 128 signs for judges/clubs due to duplicates. Here is a link to print them out (single) and put them in a protective sleeve to use them.
https://k9rally.com/Documents/AKCs%202017%20RALLY%20SIGN%20SET%205.16.17.pdf
Current AKC Rally Regulations: http://images.akc.org/pdf/AKC1193_ROR001_1217_WEB.pdf
Following is an actual AKC Master course to try. It includes two of the above signs, #s 207 & 317.
