Once you get into the Rally ring, most teams move through the Novice level fairly quickly. Be prepared for move ups with this class on Advanced and Excellent signs! We will focus on the AKC signs for this class, but if you compete in another venue and need help with a sign, just let me know and I’m happy to add it in!
Each week will consist of three parts: sign introduction, skills, and how to properly perform the sign. There will be lectures and video examples for every sign, plus additional lectures and videos on how to teach the skills needed for the sign, if they weren’t previously taught for the Novice level signs.
In addition, we'll cover all sorts of things that you need to know before you get into the ring, like transitioning to off leash, staying connected to your dog, reducing reinforcement, tips for not getting lost, and what to do when things don't go as planned. After you take this class, you will be confident enough to get in the Advanced or Excellent rings!
This class will feature Ann Smorado as the TA in the study group! Ann is a fabulous trainer and will be an excellent addition to the group.
Here’s a video of an Excellent run in AKC Rally. This is one of my students with her Chessie.
Here is the trailer for this class!
Teaching Approach
Lectures will be released weekly on the first day of each week. There is one lecture for each Advanced and Excellent Rally sign, which includes a description of the sign, several demo videos, a written explanation of how to teach the skills needed for the sign, several short videos showing the training steps for the sign, and tips for performing the sign correctly to minimize point losses. In addition, there are several written concept lectures. Videos do not include captions or voiceovers. Rally is a physical sport which requires walking but accommodations can be made for those with mobility issues. I have coached students in wheelchairs and with canes and people using mobility devices can have successful rally experiences. This class would work best with students that prefer written out instructions with video examples of each step who prefer a systematic approach to rally training. I will provide written feedback with video examples if necessary.
[INST]
Syllabus
Week 1
1.1 Halt Down Sit 1.2 Halt Stand 1.3 Halt Stand Down 1.4 Halt Stand Sit 1.5 Transitioning to Off-Leash
Week 2
2.1 Send Over Jump Handler Passes By 2.2 Halt Call Front Finish Right 2.3 Halt Call Front Finish Left 2.4 Halt Step in Front Finish Right Forward 2.5 Halt Step in Front Finish Left Forward 2.6 Send to Jump 2.7 Halt Dog Circles Right Sit 2.8 Supplemental Lecture on Broad Jump 2.9 Removing Reinforcers
Week 3
3.1 Halt About Turn Right Forward 3.2 Halt About U Turn Forward 3.3 Halt Turn Right One Step Call to Heel Halt 3.4 Halt 90 Degree Pivot Right Halt 3.5 Halt 90 Degree Pivot Left Halt 3.6 Halt Sidestep Right Halt 3.7 Halt 180 Degree Pivot Right Halt 3.8 Halt 180 Degree Pivot Left Halt 3.9 Staying Connected to Your Dog
Week 4
4.1 Halt Pivot Right Forward 4.2 Halt Pivot Left Forward 4.3 Right Turn Dog Circles Right Forward 4.4 Left Turn Dog Circles Right Forward 4.5 2 Side Steps Right Forward 4.6 Stand Right Turn Forward 4.7 Stand Left Turn Forward 4.8 Tips for Not Getting Lost on the Rally Course
Week 5
5.1 Offset Figure 8 5.2 Backup 3 Steps 5.3 Double Left About Turn 5.4 About Turn Right About U Turn 5.5 About U Turn About Turn Right 5.6 What To Do When it All Goes Wrong!
Week 6
6.1 Halt Stand Walk Around 6.2 Halt Leave 2 Steps Call to Heel Forward 6.3 Moving Stand Walk Around 6.4 Moving Down Walk Around 6.5 Down While Heeling Call to Finish Sit 6.6 Stand While Heeling Call to Finish Sit 6.7 Stand Leave Sit Call Front Finish 6.8 Stand Leave Down Call Front Finish Sit 6.9 Sit Stay
Prerequisites & Supplies
Dogs should understand all of the skills from Novice-level Rally, since this course builds on those skills. Four objects, such as cones, will be needed, as well as a jump.
Sample Lecture
RA290 Get Ready to Rally - Advancing to Rally Excellent!
Skill: Sit at Heel, 180 degree About Turns from a Halt
Sign: Halt About Turn Right Forward
AKC
Description
While heeling, the handler halts and the dog sits. The dog and handler turn 180° to the right and heel forward. (Stationary)
Video demos
Here is Strive demonstrating what this sign should look like.
AKC Demo
Training the Skills
Your dog should have all the skills needed to perform this sign. If you are struggling with any part of the exercise, remember to break it down. The skills needed are the sit at heel and going from a halt directly to an about right turn.
I like to break down the turn from the halt. Here’s a video of me working on that with Excel. Note that I am going through these steps fairly quickly since he has the foundations that we practiced in RA260 on the about turn.
Once I make sure my dog can comfortably go from a halt to an about turn, then I’ll work on helping him come out of the about turn straight. Many dogs will flare out their rear ends when they are coming around the turn, so one way we can help them keep their bodies straight and under control is to do a sidestep directly after the about turn.
I use the hand touches to keep his head up and to add a bit of energy to the heeling.
Notice that when I work on these turns, I start slow and will add speed as my dog gains confidence and understands the movement.
Tips
Be sure that you are not taking a step forward after your halt and before you start your turn. Your first step should start your about turn. The size of your about turn will depend on the course. You will likely experience courses which require a slightly wider turn to better set you up for the following sign.
If your dog tends to lag on about turns, do not wait or slow down! You looking back at the dog and dropping your left shoulder will cause the dog to fall further back. Instead, break down the turn so your dog understands how to drive around. You can use hand touches to help your dog. You can also use placement of reward to your advantage, by either rewarding high or rewarding forward.
Homework
Show me this sign! If your dog struggles, we can break it down and help the dog out. Video what you’re struggling with and show me so we can work through it together.
Testimonials
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
Outstanding course to help learn the Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent exercises. Great videos to show correct execution of exercise with added tips and explanation of building blocks needed to be successful. Instructor has good constructive comments on students videos and always encouraging. Well worth the cost and time.
Nicole has put together awesome video demos for each rally exercise. They are all really clear on how to perform the sign, and include helpful tips on potential problems. She also gives great feedback on how to improve and/or work through issues that the team is having. This is definitely a course that I will refer back to many times!
This instructor shows a high degree of comittment to her students. She also has great suggestions for addressing issues.
If you are considering taking this class with Nicole, do it! The material is really great, her instruction is excellent, and her feedback is very helpful. I learned a ton and had a lot of fun with my dog doing it.
This is the third class I've taken from Nicole. She is a very good instructor. I love her videos-they are super short so it was easy to watch them multiple times if I wasn't sure of something. I think her comments about the signs were the most valuable thing about the class-she gives little tips for remembering the signs or groups of signs that stay with me when I am in the ring. It's a well organized well thought out class-Thanks Nicole!
Registration
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