Video of Bruce at Rally Class tonight

[windycanyon]

Courses must all have the minimum "elements" in AKC. There may be a couple less stations in an indoor course at times, but some just cram their normal courses into the space allowed which can make Advanced and exc esp (w/ the jumps) more difficult. I personally like outdoors better, despite the lumpy ground (which we definitely had on Sat!) but did enter in an indoor/ dirt arena for the one in June as my older dogs have always loved that place for agility.

[Labradorks]

I think the courses are also so different depending on location of the match or trial. I have been to some places where there are about five paces between exercises and some where this are more like 20! Both can be challenging in their own ways. I find that the more places you practice, the better. It's always good to have a plan when you head into the ring, and experience in different locations helps!

[windycanyon]

From the regs (to show you how much leeway the judges have on # of stations and min elements-- in the case of indoor/minimum sized rings etc):

CHAPTER 4CLASSES AND TITLESSection 1. Rally Novice Class. All exercises are judged on leash, andall dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash. The leash must be madeof fabric or leather and needs to be long enough to provide adequate slack.Rally Novice A and B must have between 10 to 15 stations (Start and Finishnot included) with a minimum of three and a maximum of five stationaryexercises per class.

Section 2. Rally Advanced Class. All exercises are judged off leash,and all dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash. Rally Advanced A andAdvanced B must have between 12 to 17 stations (Start and Finish notincluded) with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationaryexercises. A dog is required to jump once in the Advanced class. Coursesshall have a minimum of three Advanced level stations plus the onerequired jump.

Section 3. Rally Excellent Class. All exercises are judged off leash.All dogs must enter and leave the ring on leash. Rally Excellent musthave between 15 to 20 stations (Start, Finish and Call marker notincluded) with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationaryexercises. Two jumping exercises must be used in the Excellent classutilizing one or two jumps.Courses shall have a minimum of two Advanced level stations and aminimum of three Excellent level stations, plus the two required jumpsand the Sit Stay exercise per class. Unlike in the Rally Novice andAdvanced classes, in Rally Excellent, handlers are not allowed to pattheir legs or clap their hands to encourage the dog. Verbal encouragement,multiple commands and/or inaudible signals using one or botharms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintainedin any particular position at any time. Handlers may not touch their dogor make any physical corrections.

[barry581]

Great info!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[kelsyg]

Good job, Bruce!
Love tha way he never takes his eyes off you!

[Labradorks]

Hey -- I just remembered that Denise Fenzi has a good blog series on Trial Readiness that you might find helpful! Here's the link to Part 1 and you can find the rest from there. Enjoy!