A new monthly rally class has started fairly near me, so I took Molly to the first one this afternoon. (Though not much chance of it leading to competing as there are no rally shows anywhere in the south.) I enjoyed the practice (and was secretly very proud of her heelwork compared to most of the others) though I didn't really feel I learn an awful lot. One good tip was to make sure to give the cue for forward at heel before stepping forwards, rather than simultaneously - it helped prevent a lag at the start. The trainer also said that for obedience heeling(which she knows I'm working at), you have to practise and practise just that first step forward and get that really right before adding duration. Her demo dog (collie of course) was very good, so that gave me confidence in her advice. It was a two hour lesson with seven of us in the class and during the last half hour Molly started to get really bored and when it was our turn to work she was grabbing her lead. I took it off and then she worked very nicely at heel, but of course she needs to learn to work with it on, both for level 1 rally and beginners obedience. I think I'll go next month but take her outside for a short break / tug game half way through. I'm beginning to feel we may have progressed enough to have another go at a KC obedience show in the autumn.
Sounds like a really positive few hours. I find Harley works better without a lead too, but understand that they need to learn to work with the lead on too. I'm glad you are feeling more positive about having another go at the KC show. Well done both of you
Interesting to read Joy, we did a practice rally course at the training club I've just joined, I enjoyed it. I think even if you can take a couple of positives from each session or whatever we do it all fits together in the end ! Useful tip about heel work and graet that you are still looking to do KC comp.
Very interesting. What exactly do you mean by this? Is it to "fix" the issue of them lagging from the first step? I've also been told to take a smaller first step to allow them to keep up. However for the bouncy coiled spring at my side (also known as Ella) the speed of my take-off is less of an issue. In fact I'm pretty sure I could takeoff at a sprint It's such a shame that there's no Rally comps near to you. Although, it sounds as thought you're so close to gaining passes at the KC obedience level so that sounds great. I'm looking forward to reading about your next comp
@Emily Laughing at your 'coiled spring' dog (and feeling envious). I have to work to get energetic heelwork from Molly, so I'm not sure the advice I was given would help you. But for what it's worth, the trainer told me to sit Molly by my side, wait until she looks at me, then say the cue (mine is 'let's go') in an upbeat voice and then step forward with an almost skipping step to start with. I was tending to say 'let's go' at the same time as stepping forward and getting a slight lag. I was told some while ago, by a different trainer, to take fairly small but quick steps and I try to remember to do that too. Molly is better at heelwork off lead. I've been wondering why and think it might be that I often follow it with a game of tug. Perhaps I should play tug on lead too... but that's tricky while keeping the lead loose. Or perhaps I should have a special heelwork lead and associate it with a high value food reward? Hmm, not sure.
It's funny as I have the opposite issue to you! Ella has a tendency to get a bit ahead of me so I have to work on calming her down and back into the heel position. One of our trainers starts the class by telling us to take a minute with our dog and get them enthusiastic and ready to start heel work. We basically leap around like idiots with squeaky voices and reward our dogs for coming with us. Quick changes in pace and direction, mini recalls and steps to the side etc. I do a slightly calmer version for Ella (of course ) but I do find it helps
Is it two hours once a week, or once a month? We're being introduced to intro rally in my Dom4 class this term, and I can't imagine doing it for two hours in one go! My club's lessons are 45-60 mins, which is just right, for me at least. I'm going to enrol in intro rally next term, so it's really interesting to hear people's experiences/tips/tricks. Giving the "let's go" cue BEFORE moving is a great tip, I'll have to squirrel that away!
Only once a month. I think 2 hours was too long for Molly and next time I'll take her out mid-way for a break. There was quite a lot of sitting watching, as most of the lesson was individuals working, and because it was a new venue and new dogs Molly found it hard to switch off (at our normal club she just goes to sleep if not working!) I think I'll give it one more session in September, but I'm beginning to think I'd be better having the occasional 1:1 for 30 minutes instead.
I've been advised to prefix the forward cue (and any other) with the dog's name, but said in a particular way.... This doesn't count as an additional cue and serves to warn him that something is about to happen. We too struggled with a class when the dogs were waiting around a lot, because it was based on practising rounds. It's more use to us to practise specific skills that underpin all levels and to practise those within the environment of a lot of other dogs doing stuff. That then simulates the atmosphere of a Rally trial.
In the UK in obedience competitions (which is what I'm working at, as no rally comps anywhere near me) at pre-beginner, beginner & novice level you can talk to your dog as much as you like during heelwork. Do you compete a lot in rally?
