Snow Dogz
Boxer Buddy
Hey! So I have been training Bella for AKC Rally for quite some time now, but finally picked up the training sessions and entered her first trial, novice A, the 3rd week of February. There isn't a local training class but I did find a drop in Rally class in a couple weeks about an hour from where I live, so I will be taking her to that for practice. I am more concerned about the trial itself, since I haven't had a rally mentor to teach me all the little stuff!
Some of my main concerns:
Re-doing a station, I think I read you have 3 tries in AKC. When do you know to "retry" something?
Collar- I've been using a nylon w/chain martingale style collar to train in, I THINK think this is approved to show in... but do most people just show in a flat buckle collar?
How to hold the leash/ my arms? It seems that many people keep their left arm bent at the elbow, but which hand to carry the leash in?
Luring? I had read somewhere that if you have your fingers in a position like they contain a treat and you lure your dog, its a handler error. In a trail, do I need to keep my hands in a fist or wide open to not look like I'm luring?
PHEW! Ok that was my freak out vent. ANY advice please share it! Both Bella and I are used to the AKC agility environment, but Rally will be new to us. I've only been able to even watch in person part of 1 trial.
Thanks!
Some of my main concerns:
Re-doing a station, I think I read you have 3 tries in AKC. When do you know to "retry" something?
Collar- I've been using a nylon w/chain martingale style collar to train in, I THINK think this is approved to show in... but do most people just show in a flat buckle collar?
How to hold the leash/ my arms? It seems that many people keep their left arm bent at the elbow, but which hand to carry the leash in?
Luring? I had read somewhere that if you have your fingers in a position like they contain a treat and you lure your dog, its a handler error. In a trail, do I need to keep my hands in a fist or wide open to not look like I'm luring?
PHEW! Ok that was my freak out vent. ANY advice please share it! Both Bella and I are used to the AKC agility environment, but Rally will be new to us. I've only been able to even watch in person part of 1 trial.
Thanks!