COLUMBUS KENNEL CLUB

Obedience is considered a performance event.  You and your dog are judged on how well you perform a set of exercises together.  There are many levels of obedience, each with its own set of exercises to be performed and judged.  Some of the most basic examples are heeling on and off leash, sitting, having the dog come when called, staying in place, and laying down.  The exercises get more challenging and complex at each level.  Dogs who compete in obedience earn titles on the end of their name.  For most obedience events, the dog and handler must earn a score of at least 170 out of 200 points and must have not lost more than 50% of points in any particular exercise. The points must be earned under three different judges.  A dog with the abbreviation CD on the end of its name has earned the first level, basic obedience title of "Companion Dog."

Rally is a relatively new performance competition.  Rally is a form of obedience where you and your dog perform a series of exercises at designated stations.  You are allowed to and encouraged to talk to your dog in Rally.  When the judge tells you to begin, you and your dog move from station to station at your own pace. Once you arrive at the station, you perform the exercise indicated on the sign at that station.  Rally has proven to be an excellent venue for getting started in formal Obedience and other performance events.  A dog earns titles in Rally in a similar fashion as in Obedience.  A dog must score at least 70 out of 100 points for the event in order to qualify for a "leg."  A dog must earn three "legs" under three judges to earn a title for the level.  As in traditional obedience, the levels and exercises get progressively more difficult.  The first title a dog earns in Rally is the Rally Novice which is the letters RN behind the dogs name.
Click on the following link for a description of the exercises and the corresponding sign.  description_RallyExercises.pdf