What type of rally do they do? There are 3 different venues for it (AKC, APDT, and UKC) that you can compete in. A lot of the exercises are the same for the 3 different venues, but are introduced at various levels. Johann and I do APDT, we may dabble in AKC next summer depending on dates and $$. We have our Rally level 1 title, but are struggling with moving up to being off leash (level 2 and 3). He can do all the exercises....but thinks no leash=freedom.
So we get pictures like this:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/kateandcoco/johannrallypic.jpg
Rally Obedience for All Dogs! You can click through the links and find the different signs for each level and the rulebook will explain what each sign means. In APDT, you are allowed to use treats in the ring at certain exercises, but can only give each command once (points off for each additional command).
American Kennel Club - AKC Rally® No treats allowed in the ring, can give commands multiple times with no points off.
United Kennel Club: FLASH! The Rally Obedience Rules are now available! Pretty sure treats are allowed, no points off for multiple commands. But, the speed of responding is a factor.
One of the biggest thing that he'll need to know is how to heel while paying attention to you. Do a lot of sitting at heel with solid eye contact- click and treat when he looks at you. Gradually increase the amount of time he was to stare at you to get the treat. Then start taking 1 step and having him keep eye contact. Click and treat. And so on...until he is consistently looking at you (or at least checking in every few steps) while walking. Work really hard on getting an automatic sit when you stop moving while he's heeling.
Having a solid hand target can help him learn the fronts, pivots, and finishes pretty quickly too.
I had a really hard time figuring out what each sign meant, but they make sense once you see them done and try them yourself. Level 1 signs are rather boring (IMO), but the level 2 and 3 get interesting (jumps, weave through food bowls, leave and call front while running, leave dog and recall). We've had a ton of fun with it and it keeps Johann amused and thinking.
