Rally Training Tips
Tips for Successful Rally Training with Your Dog
Rally obedience offers a fun way to test your dog’s heelwork as you navigate through courses filled with challenges. If you’re planning to compete, helping your dog to remain motivated and responsive, even without treats in the ring, can be a rewarding but challenging goal. The good news is you don’t have to spend endless hours to train successfully for rally. Short, well-planned sessions can make a big difference, with the occasional longer session. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in rally training:
Mix Up Your Routine: Instead of always practicing a full course, surprise your dog by breaking out of heel position at unexpected times. Keep your body language neutral so your dog doesn’t anticipate the break.
Strategic Use of Reinforcement: Help your dog stay motivated by rewarding at key moments. If you’ve had a great heel mark it and break out to reward your dog with a jackpot cue, release to dish or another way to reward when food or toys are not on you. Enter the ring with varying plans—sometimes just do one station, while other times tackle the full course.
Consider Your Dog’s Perspective: You might think your dog should know what to do, but it can be demanding for dogs, who experience distractions like scents and “ring pressure” differently than how we experience it. Short, focused sessions help build endurance and confidence, while strategic rewards keep your dog motivated, even without treats in your hand.
Understand the Rules: Enter the ring confidently by familiarizing yourself with rally signs and rules. Online videos can be helpful for practicing specific signs, so you know what to expect in competition.
Define Your Perfect Heel Position: A precise heel position is essential in rally. Study other dogs’ heelwork, create a vision board, or watch rally trials online to refine the exact look you want for your dog’s heel.
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