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Obedience Competition with Your Mixed Breed Dog

© Deborah Kompare

I know that when I think of those dogs who compete in obedience, I think of the purebreds competing. It turns out that there is an obedience competition, through the American Kennel Club (AKC) that allows purebred and mixed breeds to compete and advance with titles. The competition is called Rally Obedience and is slightly different than the traditional obedience, but it seems to be just as much fun for the dog and handler.

To quote the AKC site, "AKC Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. "

The regulations are listed on the site, but the differences seem to be that the handler is allowed to offer verbal encouragement, signals and praise during the competition. The handler is not permitted to touch or physically direct the dog during the exercises. Since the requirements are not as strict, the "heel position" is not required to be maintained during the competition. One of the things the judges are looking for a sense of teamwork to exist between the dog and handler.

I visited the site, www.rallyobedience.com. This site has information concerning the different exercises involved in Rally Obedience. There are about 50 different exercises ranging from sit, down, turns to jumps, serpentines and figure 8s. Not all dogs are expected to perform all of the exercises listed. As the dog advances through the levels of rally obedience, more of the exercises are expected to be executed. The chart there also lists the manner in which the exercise is expected to be done. I found it very useful and interesting.

There is a nice article at Dog Owner's Guide entitled "Rally-O". Here the author gives more information concerning this competition. The course may be timed or not, depending on that site's program. There are signs at each station and the exercise must be performed within a two to four foot range of the sign. The signs posted will let the handler know how fast or slow to go, what exercise to perform and the manner to proceed through the course. A judge will tell you when to start and announce when you are finished with the course. Your score is based on how well you and your dog performed for each exercise, and if timed, what your time was for that run.

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