Obedience with your Pharaoh Hound
STANDARD OBEDIENCE
Novice, Open, Utility
A and B Classes
OTCH
RALLY OBEDIENCE
Also known as Rally or Rally-O this is a dog sport based on obedience. Unlike standard obedience, instead of waiting for the judge's orders, the competitors proceed around a course of designated stations with the dog in heel position. The course consists of 10 to 20 signs that instruct the team what to do. Unlike traditional obedience, handlers are allowed to encourage their dogs during the course with verbal praise and repetition of orders.
There are currently two organizations that offer Rally in the United States: the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).
AKC Rally:
To qualify, each team must attempt each station and obtain a minimum score of 70 points. Each team starts with 100 points as as the team proceeds through the stations, the judge deducts points for mistakes. In order to earn a rally title, the team must qualify three times at each level (minimum of two different judges per level).
There are three levels in AKC Rally:
Novice, the easiest class. The dog is on leash and there are 10 to 15 stations, the title is RN.
Advanced, for dogs that have completed their novice title. Dogs are judged off leash, and the title is RA. The stations are more advanced than novice stations.
Excellent, the highest class, for dogs who have earned their advanced title. 15 to 20 stations, including 2 jumps, are used in this class and the title is RE.
Additionally, there is the Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) title, in which the team has to qualify in both Advanced and Excellent in 10 trials.
APDT Rally-O:
Open to any dog (purebred or mixed breed) and handler, the team starts with 200 points, and the judge deducts points for mistakes and adds bonus points that can be earned for optional exercises. There are three levels and there are additional titles for multiple qualifications at various levels. APDT Rally varies in some respects in the performance of some of the exercises and has some exercises, such as a retrieve, not seen in AKC rally. The most obvious difference between APDT and AKC rally is the ability to reward the dog with food in the ring under specific conditions in APDT rally.