Rally is a sport for the novice exhibitor to begin competition with their Skye Terriers. It builds on the dog and handler learning to communicate with each other in a more relaxed way than Obedience.
Rally is a form of dog obedience with a twist—a total focus on fun and excitement for the dog, handler, and spectator—the handler-dog team follows a set course, performing the exercise indicated by 10-20 consecutive signs.
Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control.
There is a lot of variety with each rally course. Ideal for new-to-competition dogs, in a Rally trial handlers may talk to their dogs, praise them, and give them needed verbal commands. This is not only allowed but encouraged – making it a really fun sport!
