Dog Community

Rally Brag

Posted : 12/14/2006 12:49:17 PM

Shameless, I know... but since we're taking the winter off, I feel like we could ride the waves of happiness for this latest of Gracie's feats....

She has earned her Rally Advanced title this past weekend. Every leg, she earned First Place. Since we've started competing in Rally 5 mos ago, we've earned First Place 4 out of 6 times, and one 4th place. The only time we didn't place was our first competition where I made a boo-boo and over-did a station (walked AROUND her on the down when I didn't need to) for a 10pt deduction. Nerves! lol

Anyway, I'm very proud of my little girl. She has earned 3 titles (Rally Novice, Rally Advanced, and her BH) in 5 months, and have encouraged a half-dozen other folks to start competing with their dogs. It truly helps your relationship when training and learning new skills (and upping doggie confidence!) are part of every day w/your dog.

Thanks to Emily w/Scout and other idoggers here who encouraged us along the way. Hope to have more brags in the spring. Here's a pic of her during a training session...

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 12/14/2006 10:46:55 PM

Congrats, sounds like Gracie is well on her way in only 5 months. I have been cosidering Rally for my dobie. Up until now all we do is plain boring obedience.

miranadobe

Posted : 12/15/2006 2:02:35 AM

Thank you! The Dobes seem to have an advantage (and not just for their high intelligence.) I watched a Bloodhound happily wagging his tail through a Rally course, and he ended up knocking over three signs with his happy tail whenever he sat (3pt deductions!). No worry of that with Doberman nubs!!

Rally is a really welcoming venue. Folks are usually very kind/sweet and make it mostly about having fun w/their dogs. Plus, it's a title-earner, so why not?

mrv

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:52:19 AM

Well done! gonna do those Rally X's? I see alot of folks working for those titles since there is not a higher level at the moment or an additional course like agility.

miranadobe

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:45:00 PM

The RE - Rally Excellent? Yeah, we might as well. Just need to teach Gracie to step backward in line next to me. But there are no Rally events around here until the spring, so we have time.

I don't see us going for the RAE - Rally Advanced Excellent, though, since there's nothing new to learn/no new challenge, aside from competing in two classes the same day. You compete (and pass) in the Advanced class and the Excellent class in the same trial - then do that 10 times over (10 different trials) to earn the RAE title. Then you can do it 20 times to earn the RAE2, 30 times for the RAE3, and so on. I suppose it's good as a hobby. But I plan to move on to new things, like putting a solid retrieve on her.

mrv

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:50:19 PM

I was referring to the X's following Excellent based on the double Q's. I am wondering if they will expand courses like agility added jumpers with weaves after a while. Not sure what it might look like.
Anyway well done and good luck in the future.