Rally in the Great Outdoors
Nature is biggest test in rally training for distractions.
When dog and horse owner Gail of Sussex County, N.J., set up her rally course in the driveway just like any other day, she didn’t realize that she and her 4-year-old Australian Shepherd, Shilo, would have extra company. She usually lets her horses out in the morning while she cleans stalls, and her husband’s horse, Steele, decided the grass was greener on the other side of their course. Gail and Shilo waited for Steele to cross before starting their practice while their camera recorded all of it on video: Watch the video Gail posted on Facebook here.
Gail started her journey with Shilo in a trick dog program when he was a puppy. Later they were looking for things to do during COVID-19 lockdowns when Gail saw a virtual rally. After trying it in July 2020, she was immediately hooked. She entered Shilo in a live local World Cynosport® Rally Limited (WCRL) trial in August 2020, but realized only a few days before that the signs differed from what they knew.
“It all worked out because the trial host and everyone else from WCRL were wonderful,” Gail said. “At that point, I had never done a live trial or any live dog sport before, so I was pleased everyone was so nice.”
Steele crossing through their course wasn’t the first time Gail and Shilo encountered a distraction during training. After seeing WCRL also had the USDAA@Home!™ program, Gail started learning each of the signs. She and Shilo practiced executing them while going for their walks on a local trail, encountering many types of wildlife including birds, squirrels and deer (video below). They’ve even dealt with coyotes and hunters in the distance, and a FedEx truck up close. Once they were greeted by a bear waiting for them next to the course!
Gail also wanted to be able to ride her 22-year-old American Paint Horse, Nakaia, 
with Shilo. She and Nakaia do liberty and competitive obstacle work together, and she practices obedience with Shilo whenever she is in the saddle.
“I am so very proud of my not-so-little blue dog, Shilo. He makes my heart smile every second of every day. I don’t know what life would be like without him. If a dog can be your soulmate, he is mine!”
Gail and Shilo continue to do the @Home program regularly and go to every live trial hosted by their local clubs, Versatile K9 Sports Club and Products4Pets, at the Golden Rule School for Dogs in Andover, N.J.
Their training around distractions has proven useful, as they earned their ARCHMX Master Championship within nine months and are hoping to earn their ARCHMX2 before the end of this year.