Rally Classes

These classes will prepare the student and dog to compete in rally trials.  Rally is a new dog sport where the handler and dog (team) walk through a Rally course at their own pace (a "run").  A trial is a competition where teams compete.  A judge designs a rally course by selecting signs and the order in which they appear from a set of signs to define the stations of a course.  A rally course includes from 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level.  The sign at each station directs the handler to perform a particular behavior with his/her dog.  Communication between the handler and dog is encouraged, however, the handler may not feed or touch his/her dog while on the course.  Each team is scored while walking the course.  Scoring is less rigorous than in traditional Obedience. KerrKlickers training is directed specifically to AKC Rally Trials but will carry over nicely to other organizations that offer Rally Trials.  There are three levels of competition at AKC Rally Trials -- Novice (which is done on leash and where courses have 10 to 15 signs chosen by the judge from a set of 31 signs), Advanced (which is done off-leash and where courses have 12 to 17 signs chosen from a set of 45 signs), and Excellent( which is done off-leash and where courses have 15 to 20 signs chosen from a set of 50 signs).

KerrKlickers offers 3 levels of Rally classes:

 

      Introduction to Rally Novice 

This is a 6 week course that introduces the handler and dog to Rally.  All the signs that might appear in a Novice Course are covered as are the general rules for AKC Rally.  Handlers have the opportunity to practice on several courses each week.   Dogs and their handlers should attend all 6 weeks.

 

      Rally Novice

This is an ongoing "drop-in" class. Dogs and their handlers come to class as their schedules allow. Each week two courses are set up (each designed so that it can be done at the Novice level) and the dog-handler team runs (that is goes through a course and performs each station) each course at least twice. Each class session may run longer than an hour  depending on the number of people who attend.

 

      Rally Advanced/Excellent

This is also an ongoing "drop-in" class.  Each week one Advanced and one Excellent course or two Excellent courses are set up and the dog-handler team runs each course at least twice.  Each class session may run longer than an hour depending on the number of people who attend. 

    Rally Novice/Advanced/Excellent

This is also an ongoing "drop-in" class.  Each week two Novice and two Advanced/Excellent courses  are set up (different numbering and signs are used to show the Novice course and the Advanced or Excellent course - the team runs whichever course is appropriate for their experience level).  Each dog-handler team gets two runs on each of the appropriate courses (4 runs in all).  Each class session may run longer than an hour depending on the number of people who attend.

                                                                                             

 

Obedience Classes

These classes prepare a dog-handler team to compete in Obedience Trials.  The training is focused on AKC Obedience Trials but most of the work will prepare a team to also compete in other Obedience venues.

KerrKlickers offers 3 levels of Obedience classes:

 

Novice Class

This is an ongoing "drop-in" class that works on the behaviors necessary to compete at the Novice level in Obedience.   Each session of the class lasts for approximately 60 minutes, depending on the number participating in the session.

      Open Class

This is an ongoing "drop-in" class that polishes the behaviors introduced at the Novice level and used at the Open level.  It also introduces the new behaviors necessary to compete at the Open level in Obedience.  Each session of the class lasts for approximately 90 minutes, depending on the number participating in the session.

       

      Utility Class

This is an ongoing "drop-in" class that works on the behaviors necessary to compete at the Utility level in Obedience.

Prerequisite:  The level of skill acquired in the Dog Manners II class is required before beginning the Rally and Obedience classes.  It is suggested that you attend a Rally Novice class with your dog prior to beginning the Novice Class (obedience) if you are interested in Obedience.  Rally establishes the foundation needed to more easily prepare your dog to compete in Obedience.

If you are interested in any of these classes, please e-mail KerrKlickers, giving Class Application information. The KerrKlickers trainer will contact you as to which of the classes would be most appropriate.