Rally Obedience
AKC Rally Obedience
Rally is the perfect way to enhance basic skills while strengthening the bond with your furry friend. Whether you dream of competing or just want to have fun with your dog, our classes are your ticket to Rally fun and success.
In Rally Obedience, you and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you guide them through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each sign provides instructions on what you and your dog are to perform as you move through a course performing with a sense of teamwork.
Rally Obedience is a blend of formal Obedience mixed with a little Agility. It’s the perfect gateway to the fun world of Companion Sports, providing a fun and challenging introduction for dogs and handlers to boost their skills.
​
Rally is open to all dogs, purebred, mixed breeds and even tripods — making it an ideal starting point for those new to dog sports and a favorite among those who’ve been doing them for a long time.​
Rally Novice Signs
Prerequisites:
-
Successful completion of an Intermediate Obedience class or
-
Approval from the Training Director/Rally instructor or
-
CGC title or
-
Previous Rally experience
Discover the fundamentals of AKC Rally Obedience and master all 42 AKC Novice Rally Signs in this enjoyable and supportive class. Instructor approval is required for participation, so please check the prerequisites to ensure this class is suitable for you. This class is a prerequisite for entering Rally Courses classes and Rally Drop in.
Dates: January 15th to February 19th, 2026
Day & Time: Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Randi C.
Minimum of 5 dogs, maximum of 8​
One dog per handler
Rally Courses
Prerequisites:
-
Completion of Rally Signs or Courses class at or above the level offered
-
Approval from the Training Director/Rally instructor or
-
Previous Rally experience
Rally is much more than learning and performing signs, and these classes are the perfect step where you and your dog start putting it all together. You’ll learn course navigation and strategies, a deeper understanding of maps, rules, details, and nuances for performing signs and sequences, trial strategies and routine building — all to prepare you and your dog to succeed in Rally. Courses and Competence will be offered at different levels throughout the year.
Rally Novice Courses
Dates: March 17th to April 21, 2026
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Venus Z.
Minimum of 3 dogs, maximum of 5​
One dog per handler
​
Rally Intermediate/Advanced Courses
Dates: March 17th to April 21, 2026
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 7:45 - 8:45pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: Venus Z.
Minimum of 3 dogs, maximum of 5​
One dog per handler
Rally - Beyond the Signs
Prerequisites:
-
See Minimum Requirements
Description: You’ve learned the signs. Practiced the courses. Maybe even trialed a few times. But no one told you there’s an invisible layer that makes Rally flow. Until now. This class is foundational and advanced — at the same time. Whether you’re new to trialing or looking to improve confidence and consistency, this is the class that helps you bring it all together.
We’ll focus on the human half of the team: your communication, handling, mindset, timing, and emotional presence. You’ll learn how to walk into the ring with a plan — and how to support your dog from the first sign to the last. You’ll learn advanced concepts — but you don’t need advanced skills to start. If anything, this class helps prevent the confidence-killing mistakes that come from jumping into the ring without the tools you didn’t know you needed.
​
Minimum Requirements
Students should come to class with:
-
Solid Rally Foundation Skills:
-
Dogs must reliably perform Novice-level Rally behaviors, such as Fronts, Finishes, Stay, Sits, Downs and Heelwork, with minimal assistance.
-
Familiarity with signs requiring transitions between stationary and movement-based behaviors (e.g., Halt → Right Turn → Forward).
-
-
Trial Awareness:
-
Handlers should have experience reading Rally maps, walking courses, and trialing at least at the Novice level.
-
Teams should have a basic understanding of point deductions and trial etiquette.
-
-
Training Tools:
-
Bring trial-appropriate equipment (e.g., flat buckle collars, leashes) and high-value rewards for reinforcing behaviors.
-
Dogs should be comfortable working around other dogs and moderate distractions in a group setting
-
Dates: March 17th to April 21, 2026
Day & Time: Tuesdays, 7:45 - 8:45pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructor: John S./Kat S.
Minimum of 3 dogs, maximum of 7​
One dog per handler​
Rally Course Confidence
Prerequisites: Completion of Rally Novice Signs, or teams trialing at or above Novice level.
Rally Course Confidence is a class that blends thoughtful course work with dog-friendly pacing. Instead of grinding full courses start-to-finish every week, we regulate pressure through smart sequencing and selective full-course reps when they truly serve learning — so dogs stay confident and handlers stay clear.
This class focuses on communication, teamwork, and clarity throughout a rally course — giving you and your dog the foundation for smoother starts, steadier tempo, and a more connected experience inside the ring. You’ll refine core behaviors, reinforcement strategies, handler mechanics, footwork, timing, cue pictures, and ring routines (entrance, start, retries, exits) while building endurance and keeping your dog’s enthusiasm intact.
This class is ideal for teams with basic rally skills ready to apply them to the context of courses, new handlers preparing for their first trial, experienced handlers with a novice dog who needs confidence and clarity, and teams who have plateaued and want to build better habits, structure, and confidence preparing for the ring.
Dates: January 15th thru February 19th, 2026
Day & Time: Thursdays, 7:45 - 8:45pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructors: John S./Heather O.
Minimum: 3 dogs, Maximum: 6 dogs
Rally Master Signs & More
Prerequisites: see Minimum Requirements within the class description
This class focuses on clean, confident execution of all Rally Master signs. We break down the principle parts and mechanics of each sign, along with contextual setups, footwork, timing, and other handler skills. We also refine the dynamic behaviors unique to the Master level. Short sequences will provide context, but the emphasis is precision over endurance. Ideal for teams preparing for Master or those looking to sharpen their upper-level performance.
Minimum Requirements:
Dogs should be comfortable working around other dogs and moderate distractions in a group setting.
Teams should already have reliable performance of the following behaviors, as these skills will not be taught from scratch:
-
Reliable stay (close proximity and at a distance)
-
Reliable recall from a distance
-
Backing up (straight and with directional changes)
-
Send away / Go out
-
Left and right spins
-
Solid heeling fundamentals at all paces
Additional Requirements:
-
Trialing (virtual or live) at least at Advanced level
-
Trial-appropriate equipment (approved collar/leash — no training collars)
-
High-value treats for reinforcement
-
Tugs/Toy (encouraged; no squeakers)
-
Crate or ability to crate from the car
Dates: January 15th thru February 19th, 2026
Day & Time: Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Class length: 6 weeks
Price: $100.00
Instructors: John S.
Minimum: 3 dogs, Maximum: 6 dogs