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AKC Rally Obedience

AKC Rally Obedience is a fun, engaging dog sport that combines elements of traditional obedience with a more relaxed, interactive format. Teams navigate a course of numbered signs, each directing the handler to perform a specific skill or movement with their dog.

Rally emphasizes teamwork, communication, and precision while allowing handlers to encourage their dogs throughout the course. It is an excellent entry point into dog sports and a natural progression from basic obedience or CGC training.

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In this course, teams will work on:

  • Focused heeling and position changes

  • Turns, pivots, and transitions

  • Sits, downs, and stays within motion

  • Reliable responses to verbal and hand cues

  • Course navigation and sign interpretation

  • Ring procedures and trial readiness

 

This class is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes and can be enjoyed recreationally or as preparation for AKC Rally competition. Skills learned in Rally also translate directly to improved manners and engagement in everyday life. Prerequisites: My Basic Obedience class.

Rally-FrEe 

Rally-FrEe blends the structure of Rally Obedience with the creativity and expression of freestyle movement. Teams perform a flowing sequence of obedience skills, positions, and transitions while emphasizing style, engagement, and teamwork.

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Unlike traditional Rally, Rally-FrEee allows for greater creativity in footwork, handler movement, and dog positioning while still maintaining clear criteria for accuracy and control. The sport highlights precision, focus, and musicality of movement, making it ideal for teams who enjoy performance-style training alongside solid obedience skills.

Rally Freestyle builds strong engagement, body awareness, and responsiveness that benefit many other dog sports and everyday training. Rally-FrEe is a sport designed by Rally Freestyle Elements (https://www.rallyfree.com). 

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Rally-FrEe Class

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This class introduces the foundational skills used in Rally-FrEe and performance-style obedience. Teams will focus on developing clean positions, smooth transitions, and confident movement while maintaining clarity and positive reinforcement.

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Training topics include:

  • Multiple heel positions (left, right, front, and rear)

  • Transitions between positions

  • Spins, pivots, and directional cues

  • Backing up and side stepping

  • Handler footwork and body mechanics

  • Flow, engagement, and connection

  • Combining skills into short sequences

 

This class is appropriate for teams with basic obedience skills who want to expand their training into creative movement, performance foundations, or freestyle-style sports. Exercises are taught progressively and can be adapted for recreational fun or future competition goals. Prerequisites: My Basic obedience class. 

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