 Barked: Sat Apr 28, '12 4:00pm PST |
 | |  | | Hi Guest...I'll try my best to answer your questions. I will also high recommend the Rally-obed Yahoo group - there is so much information in that group it is great for those that either train alone or don't have acceess to regular group settings.
1.) I think I read somewhere that a bitch in heat is NOT allowed to participate in AKC rally trials but now I can't find it. Is this true? Is there anything you can do if your bitch goes into heat after the entry fee has been paid, or do you just lose it?
Bitches in season are not allowed - Obedience Regs, Section 18 (remember to always revert back to the Obedience regs if you can't find it specifically in the Rally ones). Read the premium though on refund policy. Some clubs out here in WA keep the entry (too bad ) and some will refund (either partial or full) with veterinary proof of the season.
2.) As far as "luring", at least one of my commands (to sit from the down position, needed for 114), I bunch all my fingers together and draw them upward above the dog's head. I think this may appear as luring...do I need to change this?
This one can be tricky...some judges may ding for it, but if it obviously looks like a cue (no holding your fingers right above the dogs head like there are cookies there) you may be ok. I personally train so that I don't judges think.
3.) I do not understand how to do some of the advanced signs and the local dog training club won't talk to me unless I sign up for their class - which is during my college classes so I can't do that. We have two novice legs so we have to start practicing this stuff soon. I would appreciate any help:
101. HALT–About Turn Right and Forward–Handler halts and dog sits. With the dog sitting in heel position, the team turns 180° to the right and immediately moves forward. (Stationary exercise)
Won't this end up with the dog on the right? How can the dog stay sitting while the "team" turns away from where the dog is sitting?
(I think this is an old exercise...wording has always been weird)It is just a 180° turn - dog stays in heel. Basically you will walk up towards the sign, and HALT (aka, you stop and dog sits in heel). Then you and the dog will turn to the right 180° with the dog staying with you in heel position.
102. HALT–About “U” Turn and Forward–Handler halts and dog sits. With the dog sitting in heel position, the team turns 180° to the left and immediately moves forward. (Stationary exercise)
Same problem - how does the dog stay sitting in the heel position and turn to the left?
Same as above only turn to the left.
107. HALT – 90° Pivot Left – HALT – Handler halts and dog sits. With the dog sitting in heel position, the handler pivots 90° to the left and halts. The dog moves with the handler and sits in heel position. (Stationary exercise)
Does the dog have to move backwards to "move with the handler"?
Another old sign - basically I teach it as the dog staying in heel position, but I have seen people do it in trials with the dog doing a kind of crab/swing thing - the description does not state "in heel position" so as long as the dog is moving with the handler it should be ok.
113. HALT–180° Pivot Left–HALT–Handler halts and dog sits. With the dog sitting in heel position, the handler pivots 180° to the left and halts. The dog moves with the handler and sits in heel position. (Stationary exercise)
Same thing - does the dog move backwards through the 180 or what?
I teach this the exact same way as the 90° pivot...I want my dog to stay in heel. But I have seen people do it in the crabby/swing thing and do just fine.
117. Halt–Pivot Left–Forward– The handler halts and the dog sits in heel position. The handler commands and/or signals the dog to heel, then pivots to the left and dog and handler move forward. (Stationary exercise)
Again, how do you not step on the dog here?
I come up to the sign and HALT. Then I cue the dog to pivot to the left and we take off towards the left. Judges generally understand that dogs occupy space...but the dog should allow you to pivot in place.
One thing to remember that a pivot is in one place, imagine turning on a dinner plate. A turn can allow you to take some steps. |  |  | |  |
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