Rally 1 Final Week

Gunner graduated from Rally 1 tonight, and we're looking forward to continuing to Rally 2 classes! An exposed weakness was absolutely still, all four paws planted sit-stay while the handler walks around the dog.  Gunner must be reinforced for keeping all four paws still and in the exact same place while he is in sit-stay, and while I walk around.  So that will be a focus of our homework this week.  

Working in front of a mirror or intentionally memorizing exactly where/how each foot is placed on the ground before you move away can help reveal when the dog stays still, and only reward when the dog remains completely planted. Even if you have to go back to just one or two steps away, then reinforce for staying, and gradually build up to staying in place as the handler walks around. Remember to walk very wide around your dog to give him plenty of space to feel secure that he won't get stepped on.

In class tonight after warming up, we practiced heeling on a line with 360-degree circles (right and left were both practiced) and continuing ahead on the same line. 

Our coach set up two different mini-courses of multiple signs.  We got to see the Start, Heeling and Conduct sign tonight for the first time.  Here is the description from ASCA: "Start, Heeling and Conduct: designates the beginning of the course; team lines up with dog sitting in heel position just before or at the left of the sign. All imperfections in heeling on the course between stations shall be scored here. All Handler Errors and misbehavior not associated with specific exercises while in the ring shall also be scored here."

Our coach reminded us that at the start sign before beginning, it is permissible and a good idea to get your dog lined up in perfect heel position to begin since you haven't yet begun being judged.  Never cross the plane of the cone line for any sign until after the individual exercise is performed, with the exception of the finish sign which the team just walks past in heel.  Be sure to walk past the finish sign as that is what clicks the timer to finish, and the times are used as tie-breakers and for pinning (the lowest time breaks the tie and the lowest time combined with the highest score pins highest in the class). 

Another reminder was to be sure to keep your hand held up to your waistline while heeling, and never touch the dog's nose (or touch the dog at all) to avoid giving the impression of luring the dog, even at the start sign before judging has begun. 

The ASCA signs and descriptions for the first mini-course we did tonight:

Designates the beginning of the course; team lines up with dog sitting in heel position just before or at the left of the sign.

Team turns in a small 360 degree (full) circle to the right while in heel position.

Team makes a 90 degree turn to the left in heel position.

While heeling, dog downs in heel position at handler's command and/or signals, handler pauses in heel position while dog remains down. Team heels forward.

Designates the end of the course. Both handler and dog must pass the Finish sign for time to stop.

Note the "Primary" parts of the exercises are underlined. (Think of this as the "essence" of the move in dressage-speak and the rest of the description the "modifiers.") These portions must be performed correctly, or the exercise will be scored Incorrectly Performed (IP). If you realize in the show ring that you made a mistake and will not be able to perform the primary part of the exercise, you can decide to re-do the sign with a deduction of three points, so if you score a perfect 10 on the re-do, you will still get 7 points instead of 0 points for an IP.

The ASCA signs and descriptions for the second mini-course we did tonight: 

Designates the beginning of the course; team lines up with dog sitting in heel position just before or at the left of the sign.

Handler stops, dog sits in heel position. Handler walks around dog and pauses in heel position while dog remains sitting. Team heels forward.

Team makes a 90 degree turn to the left in heel position.

Handler stops, dog sits in heel position. Team heels forward.

Designates the end of the course. Both handler and dog must pass the Finish sign for time to stop.

A reminder that I've gotten previously and again tonight is to be sure to keep plenty of slack in my leash to show that the dog is offering all behaviors independent of the leash. A brisk pace on my part that allows Gunner to offer his "prance" gate is the sweet spot for show ring heeling. 

Pearls:

• Onward to Rally 2!
• Homework this week includes practicing the signs in different locations both at home and while out for a walk
• Visiting novel places and experiencing unique environments (the sliding doors at home depot, elevators at hotels, loud voices at busy restaurants) can help prepare your dog for the trial surroundings
• Four-on-the-floor completely planted stays are to be taught and reinforced
• Always warm up your dog before your initial approach to the start line, so he is on your aids and ready to play Rally
• Take the time to line up your dog and organize yourself in perfect heel position prior to starting a course
• Keep a very obvious loose leash at all times in the ring
• Stay on your side of each individual sign cone until after the exercise is completed (except the finish sign, walk past it to stop the timer)
• Keep your hands well away from the dog to never give the impression of luring (left elbow bent while heeling)
• ASCA Rally rules and signs are here: https://www.asca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rallyrules.pdf; note the primary parts of each exercise are bolded and underlined
• In the show ring you can decide to re-do a sign with a deduction of three points
• A heeling pace just brisk enough to show Gunner's "prance" is our show ring sweet spot

Gunner having a jolly on the riverbank