Rally Obedience. I’ve been quiet about it on Leerburg, as many of you are trainers of REAL dog sports. Since that closet door has swung open, I’ll come out.

I like Rally. More importantly, my dog likes Rally. I needed something to bring the fun back into training after a bad agility experience soured both of us. Rally fit the bill. I made sure it was fun and interesting and no pressure. Therefore, Rally puts a light in his eyes. We learned how to be a working team thanks to Rally.

Rally doesn’t get much respect from serious obedience people or agility folks, but it does fill a niche for some of us who are neither.

We’ve made it through Novice and Advanced, and I can proudly say we’ve finished in the ribbons all but once, despite my horrible ring nerves. (We’re entered for our first Excellent leg on Saturday, and just thinking about it now makes my heart race and my stomach hurt.)

Once we finish our Excellent title I’ll start taking AKC Obedience more seriously, but I’m afraid that the formality and precision required in those exercises will rob us of our fun.

Does it feel good to get that tremendous weight off your shoulders Meredith? Lol. Have fun and enjoy whatever your doing with your dog, thats all that counts.

And congratulations on what you've allready achieved. Now settle those nerves and get that leg!

I think that is just awesome Meredith. I think whatever makes your dog's eyes light up, and makes him happy is fantastic.

Congrats on achieving novice through advanced and best of luck Sat. with the excellent catagory!

Just focus on the fun part and relax a bit if you can. I know that is easier said than done. Also, you have done so well this far, I am sure that you will continue to excel at this part too.
Way to go! It sounds very interesting!
Best wishes for Saturday!!

Congratulations!

I think its wonderful when someone does anything with training their dog. Rally looks like a lot of fun. How did you get into it? Did you do the training on your own or go to a club?

I want a youtube video of that Excellent title!

Go you

 Quote: Lauren Jeffery

I want a youtube video of that Excellent title!

There will be no video! I got into it by volunteering at our club's trial, watching most of the dogs having fun, and then took a couple of classes.

I think you could do it on your own, without a club since you're having trouble finding a good fit for you and Tasha. There's a yahoo group that discusses everything (ad nauseum!) online.

Thanks for the encouragement, friends.

Good for you! I've started doing Rally Ob with my dogs just in an effort to make ob more interesting.

No matter how hard I try not to, I find myself pattern training and this has been a sure cure.

Meredith,

I second everyone else's comments...as long as you're having fun with your dog, that's what counts! And, speaking as a ribbon slut myself, you are earning titles and placing while getting your Qs. Doesn't get any better than that!

You've gotta work on the nerve thing tho or you'll spoil the fun for yourself and your dog. Google Lenny Bashram. He's done tapes and books about preparing for competition (he was a gold medalist in the Olympics and trains tons of high caliber athletes). Basically, what you want to do is imagine yourself doing a great job, rather than what you are most likely doing, which is imagining all the things that can go wrong or something along those lines.

Think of a rally course, and visualize each part of it, with you and your dog going thru the whole course, doing a great job, just like you do in training. Include any things you do for warm up or preparation. See yourself doing well and having fun.

Mental practice is just as effective as physical practice, and if you practice success mentally, it will help you out in the ring. Trust me; it really works!

Have fun at your trial.

leih

"Ribbon slut". That's priceless!

Okay, you just came out... I'll step out even farther! I'm so embarrased that I don't EVEN KNOW what RallyO is!!! I've seen it mentioned here recently but kept thinking "I need to look into what that is..."...

There. You are WAYYYYY ahead of me, and now I'm going to go check it out. Congrats on you and your pup, big time.

Congratz on the winnings.

Hey, I am all for what gives you and your dog a great life and a positive, memorable relationship.

That is what it is all about right!?!?

Hope you get past the gitters of competition. I can relate. =D