Rally Exercises of the Month -- April 2024

Exercise instructions and video demonstrations

Mar 29, 2024

By: News Editor

This month’s focus is on turn exercises at all levels. You can click on the exercise title and go to the YouTube channel for a demonstration of that exercise.

Flash #F111 SEND AROUND CONE, RIGHT TURN

Rally - Send Around Cone-Right Turn F111

Purpose:

  • To demonstrate directional cues.

Primary Element(s):

  • DOG PASSES THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CONE IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION

Requirements:

  • The handler cues the dog to pass by the left side of the cone, and then the handler walks along the right of the cone at a normal pace.
  • The dog passes by the left side of the cone.
  • The handler shall initiate and/or complete the 90° right turn not later than the point where the cone is in line with the handler’s left side. (The handler shall NOT pass by the cone before initiating and/or completing the turn.)
  • As the dog returns to heel position, the handler and dog move in unison while making a turn 90° to the right.
  • The team continues heeling to the next station.
  • The handler does not adapt pace to the dog.

Note(s):

  • There is no deduction for a handler who chooses a fast pace instead of normal pace.
  • The handler should take 2 – 3 steps after the turn in order to define the angle of the turn before veering towards the next station, should it not be in direct line of handler’s path following the turn.
  • The judge shall place the sign approximately 3 feet (0.9 meters) before the cone and approximately 3 feet (0.9 meters) to the right of the cone as the team is approaching. This placement will indicate when the team shall begin the exercise.
  • The judge shall place the cone approximately 2 – 3 feet (0.6 – 0.9 meters) to the left of the team’s approach to the cone. The exercise sign shows how the cone is placed on approach.
     

Flash #F261 DOUBLE WALKAROUND

Rally - Double Walkaround F261

Purpose:

  • To demonstrate a reliable stand in place and a reliable response to move around the handler to find heel position.

Primary Element(s):

  • DOG RETURNS TO HEEL AFTER CIRCLING THE HANDLER
  • DOG DOES NOT SIT OR DOWN AT ANY TIME

Requirements:

  • While moving, the handler cues the dog to stand.
  • The dog stands unassisted in heel position without attempting to sit or down.
  • The handler walks counterclockwise direction around the dog without the dog changing positions or moving out of place.
  • Upon returning to heel position, the handler cues the dog to heel forward for 2 steps while continuing to move forward.
  • After two steps, the handler pauses and cues the dog to circle the handler in a clockwise direction.
    • The handler remains facing forward without changing position or moving out of place.
  • When the dog returns to heel position, the dog and handler heel forward in unison.

Note(s):

  • The handler shall not adapt pace at any point in the exercise.
     

Flash #F313ab MOVING STAND, LEAVE DOG, TURN – DIRECTED SEND, CALL TO HEEL, FORWARD

Rally - Moving Stand-Leave Dog-Turn F313a  Rally - Directed Send-Call to Heel-Forward F313b

Purpose:

  • To demonstrate a distance stay and distance direction.

Primary Element(s):

  • A.  STAY IN PLACE AND IN STAND POSITION
  • B.  PASS AROUND THE CONE IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION WHILE THE HANDLER IS AT 6’ (1.8 METERS) DISTANCE

Requirements:
A.

  • While moving, the handler cues the dog to stand.
  • The handler walks to second sign past the cone.
    • The dog stands unassisted in stand position without attempting to sit or down.
    • The dog stays in place and in stand position until the handler calls the dog.

B.

  • The handler turns about and halts, facing the dog.
  • While keeping both feet in place, the handler cues the dog to go around the cone.
  • Dog shall pass the cone with the cone on the dog’s right side in the correct direction without displacing the cone.
  • As the dog approaches, the handler cues the dog to come to heel, either left or right (at the handler’s discretion).
  • Without pausing, the team moves in unison to the next station.

Note(s):

  • First sign is approximately 5’ (1.5 m) in front of the cone and 6’ (1.8 m) offset to the either side of the cone.
  • Second sign is placed approximately 5’ (1.5m) beyond the cone, continuing in the same direction as the approach to the first sign.
  • A line may be placed on the ground to indicate the 6’ (1.8 meter) handler line.
  • When cueing “go around” the cone, if the handler places one foot inside the 6' (1.8 meter) distance from the cone while keeping the other foot in place, a penalty shall be assessed for not performing as described. If the handler moves both feet out of place while cueing the cone, the Primary Element is not satisfied.
  • As the dog is passing the cone, the handler may turn slightly toward the dog but may not step towards the dog.