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Week 5 - Examining the Updated Rally Obedience Rules

April 10, 2020

Source: Karen Shivers, UKC Program Manager
Email: kshivers@ukcdogs.com

Before we jump into this week's signs, I wanted to answer a few frequently asked questions.

The Shift Sign. This sign is not numbered. It is a directional sign to help the handler navigate to the next sign. It is not to be judged and is just there to help. We published a comparison chart in Week 2 to compare the old sign numbers to the new, and to list all new sign numbers. We have added an Enter and Exit sign as well as the Shift Right and Shift Left signs that are not numbered.

Sign 206: The directions for this sign have changed and been clarified. Bowls will be numbered in the new rules. The basic performance of the sign has not changed. Here are the new directions:
Exercise 206. Offset Figure 8. Set up. This exercise requires four dog bowls in which tempting treats or toys are placed as a distraction. When using treats, they must be secured to prevent the dog from eating them as outlined elsewhere in this rulebook. The bowls are arranged in an offset pattern as illustrated on the exercise sign with the two-side bowls (#1 and #3) set 5 feet apart and the two-end bowls (#2 and #4) set 10 feet apart.

Principle Part. The team must execute a figure 8 pattern going either to the left or to the right with the dog heeling. The dog must not attempt to remove the distraction from the bowl.
Instructions. As the team approaches this exercise, they will pass between bowl #1 and bowl #2, with bowl #1 on the teams left side. After entering, the team must complete one full circle around bowl #2 and bowl #4, or around bowl #4 and bowl #2, forming a figure 8 pattern before exiting. The pattern chosen by the handler may depend on the desired direction of the exit.

Here are the signs we will be working on this week:
303: Halt 180 Pivot Right Halt - 90 Pivot Left Halt
304: Halt 180 Pivot Left Halt - 90 Pivot Right Halt
305: Moving Down Handler Forward Face Dog Call Dog Finish Right
306: Moving Down Handler Forward Face Dog Call Dog Finish Left
307: Halt Send Dog Around Front of Handler & Back to Heel Halt

View Rally Workbook Guide week 5 (PDF)
Print Rally Workbook Guide week 5 (PDF)
Watch these exercises on Youtube

Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 15,000 licensed events annually.

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