Rally: Beyond the Basics

Ready to take your rally skills to the next level?

Maybe your dog looks like a rockstar in your living room, but when you think about tackling a full rally course—or even stepping foot in a trial—it feels a little overwhelming. How do you bridge that gap between practicing in a small space and confidently navigating an entire course? Whether you’re dreaming of competition or just want to sharpen your dog’s skills, this class will guide you every step of the way.

No matter where you are in your rally journey, I’ll meet you right there and help you move forward.

Rally is so much more than performing the signs—it’s a true partnership between you and your dog. Together, we’ll focus on the key skills that form the foundation of success, starting with solid, connected heeling. And if you have a smaller dog, you already know that sometimes typical heeling techniques don’t always work—so we’ll dedicate time specifically to address the unique needs of your little one.

We’ll also refine important behaviors like fronts, finishes, position changes, and stays. To keep things fun and motivating, you’ll learn advanced skills through engaging, game-based exercises that build both precision and enthusiasm.

One of the most exciting parts of this class? You’ll learn how to smoothly link signs together, moving from one to the next with flow and confidence. We’ll help you stay connected with your dog between signs, troubleshoot common mistakes, and prepare you for whatever your rally or obedience goals may be.

And when it comes to trial prep, we’ve got you covered—whether trialing is on your immediate horizon or just a distant goal. You’ll learn how to introduce distractions, generalize behaviors to new environments, and build longer sequences so both you and your dog are ready when the time comes.

But this class isn’t just about the dogs—it’s about you too! Many rally errors start with the handler, so we’ll dive deep into rules, sign execution, handling mistakes, and how to keep your cool under pressure. You’ll gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to be the best teammate your dog could ask for.

Let me show you how rally can be a fun, rewarding journey—one that strengthens your bond, sharpens your skills, and sets you and your dog up for success, wherever your path leads.

Trailer:

Teaching Approach

Lectures will be released on the first day of each week.  Lectures contain written instruction with demonstration videos of each skill.  The vast majority of the time, videos do not need to be heard.  For the rare occasion that there is relevant speaking in the video, the lectures will clearly outline everything that is being said.  Most videos are in between 20 seconds and 2 minutes.  Homework is outlined at the end of each lecture.  Supplemental lectures and videos will be posted as needed.  This class will work best for students who prefer reading written step-by-step material accompanied by short videos for demonstration.

This class will have a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) available in the Facebook study group to help the Bronze and Silver students! Directions for joining will be in the classroom after you register.