Rally Obedience with Great Danes
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Building confidence, communication and
teamwork—one sign at a time Rally Obedience, commonly called Rally or Rally-O, is a fun and interactive dog sport that combines practical obedience skills with a numbered course of exercise stations. Rather than waiting for the judge to direct every exercise, the dog and handler move through the course together, following the instructions shown on each sign. Exercises may include heeling, sits, downs, stands, changes of pace, turns, pivots, fronts, finishes and, at the higher levels, jumps and stays. Before the class begins, handlers are given an opportunity to walk through the course without their dogs. This allows them to learn the route, review each exercise and decide how they will guide their dog through the course. Unlike traditional competitive obedience, Rally does not require the same degree of exact precision. Handlers are encouraged to communicate with their dogs and may use verbal praise, encouragement and petting while working through the course. The goal is to demonstrate cooperation, enthusiasm and teamwork between the dog and handler. |
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Why Rally Is a Great Sport for Great Danes
Great Danes are intelligent, sensitive and highly people-oriented dogs. Rally gives them an opportunity to work closely with their owners while developing useful everyday skills.
Rally can help improve:
The sport does not depend on speed. Most exercises involve controlled movement, focus and communication, making Rally accessible to many different dogs and handlers.
Higher-level CKC Rally courses include jumps, but dogs measuring 20 inches or more at the withers—including Great Danes—jump only 16 inches in regular Rally classes.
Rally is one of the sports I have personally enjoyed with my own Great Danes. Beyond the titles and ribbons, the training has strengthened our communication and helped develop dogs that are attentive, confident and enjoyable to work with.
Great Danes are intelligent, sensitive and highly people-oriented dogs. Rally gives them an opportunity to work closely with their owners while developing useful everyday skills.
Rally can help improve:
- Attention and engagement around distractions
- Loose-leash walking and heel position
- Impulse control
- Body awareness and coordination
- Confidence in unfamiliar environments
- Communication between dog and handler
The sport does not depend on speed. Most exercises involve controlled movement, focus and communication, making Rally accessible to many different dogs and handlers.
Higher-level CKC Rally courses include jumps, but dogs measuring 20 inches or more at the withers—including Great Danes—jump only 16 inches in regular Rally classes.
Rally is one of the sports I have personally enjoyed with my own Great Danes. Beyond the titles and ribbons, the training has strengthened our communication and helped develop dogs that are attentive, confident and enjoyable to work with.
How a Rally Course Works
Each dog-and-handler team begins with a score of 100 points. Points may be deducted for errors such as:
A score of 70 or higher is required to qualify in CKC Novice through Excellent. In the Master class, a score of 85 or higher is required.
To earn a CKC Rally title at each level, a dog must receive three qualifying scores under at least two different judges.
A qualifying score is often called a leg toward the title.
Each dog-and-handler team begins with a score of 100 points. Points may be deducted for errors such as:
- Performing an exercise incorrectly
- Allowing the leash to remain tight
- Working out of heel position
- Missing or passing a station
- Knocking over a pylon
- Repeating an exercise
- Handler or dog errors during a sign
A score of 70 or higher is required to qualify in CKC Novice through Excellent. In the Master class, a score of 85 or higher is required.
To earn a CKC Rally title at each level, a dog must receive three qualifying scores under at least two different judges.
A qualifying score is often called a leg toward the title.
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CKC Rally Obedience Levels
Rally Novice — RN Novice is the introductory level and is completed on leash. Courses contain basic exercises such as sits, downs, turns, changes of pace, spirals, serpentines, fronts and finishes. Rally Intermediate — RI Intermediate is also completed on leash. It introduces more advanced exercises while allowing teams to continue building their skills before working off leash. The Intermediate title is optional and is not required before entering Rally Advanced. Rally Advanced — RA Advanced is completed off leash and introduces more difficult exercises. Each Advanced course includes one jump. Rally Excellent — RE Excellent is completed off leash and includes more complex exercises, two jumps and a separate Sit Stay exercise after the course. Rally Master — RM Master is the most advanced regular CKC Rally level. Courses are completed off leash and include advanced exercises, two jumps and a Stand Stay. The CKC currently offers all five official levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent and Master. |
Rally Is About More Than Titles Although Rally titles provide enjoyable goals to work toward, competition is only one reason to explore the sport. Many of the skills taught for Rally are useful in everyday life. A dog that can focus around distractions, walk politely, respond to position changes and remain connected to its handler is easier and more enjoyable to take into public places. Rally also encourages owners to become clearer and more thoughtful trainers. As you learn to guide your dog through the course, you become more aware of your own movement, timing, cues and body language. The ribbon may celebrate the result, but the relationship developed through training is the real reward. |
How to Get Started in Rally
You do not need an entire Rally course to begin training. Start by teaching a few foundational skills:
Begin with three or four signs and gradually add more as you and your dog become comfortable. Training should remain positive, rewarding and enjoyable for both members of the team.
Because the signs and performance requirements vary between organizations, always practise using the rules and signs for the organization in which you intend to compete.
You do not need an entire Rally course to begin training. Start by teaching a few foundational skills:
- Walking in heel position
- Sit, down and stand
- Front position
- Returning to heel on the left or right
- Left, right and about turns
- Changes of pace
- Short stays
- Moving around pylons
Begin with three or four signs and gradually add more as you and your dog become comfortable. Training should remain positive, rewarding and enjoyable for both members of the team.
Because the signs and performance requirements vary between organizations, always practise using the rules and signs for the organization in which you intend to compete.
Earn AKC Rally Titles Virtually
AKC Virtual Rally allows eligible dog-and-handler teams to earn Rally titles without attending an in-person trial.
Competitors set up one of the pre-designed AKC courses, record the dog and handler completing it and submit the video for evaluation by an AKC Rally judge.
AKC Virtual Rally is now a permanent program and currently offers:
Qualifying scores and titles earned virtually are recorded in the same manner as qualifying scores earned at in-person AKC events. Virtual and in-person qualifying scores may also be combined toward a title.
This can be especially helpful for owners who live far from training facilities or Rally trials, or for dogs that are not yet comfortable competing in a busy event environment.
AKC Virtual Rally allows eligible dog-and-handler teams to earn Rally titles without attending an in-person trial.
Competitors set up one of the pre-designed AKC courses, record the dog and handler completing it and submit the video for evaluation by an AKC Rally judge.
AKC Virtual Rally is now a permanent program and currently offers:
- Rally Novice
- Rally Intermediate
- Rally Advanced
- Rally Excellent
Qualifying scores and titles earned virtually are recorded in the same manner as qualifying scores earned at in-person AKC events. Virtual and in-person qualifying scores may also be combined toward a title.
This can be especially helpful for owners who live far from training facilities or Rally trials, or for dogs that are not yet comfortable competing in a busy event environment.
Canadian Association of Rally Obedience
The Canadian Association of Rally Obedience, commonly known as CARO, offers another Canadian Rally program with its own exercises, signs, title requirements and trials.
CARO also offers virtual Rally opportunities at selected times. Because CARO and CKC use different rules and exercises, competitors should review the appropriate handbook before entering or setting up a course.
The Canadian Association of Rally Obedience, commonly known as CARO, offers another Canadian Rally program with its own exercises, signs, title requirements and trials.
CARO also offers virtual Rally opportunities at selected times. Because CARO and CKC use different rules and exercises, competitors should review the appropriate handbook before entering or setting up a course.