-
Step 1
Make certain your dog is eligible for AKC sport competition. The AKC is an organization for purebred dog sports, and competing dogs need to be AKC registered. If you have a purebred dog that is not AKC registered, visit the AKC website for information on how to obtain registration. (See Resources)
-
Step 2
Study the Rally signs. In Rally competition, the dog and handler complete a course of numbered stations, performing the indicated obedience maneuver at each station. Each station is marked by a sign telling you what to do at that station. There are a total of 50 Rally signs, 31 of which can be used at the Novice level of competition. Additional signs requiring more complex maneuvers are added at the Advanced and Excellent level. One of the keys to success in Rally is really knowing the signs and how to perform them correctly.
-
Step 3
Learn Rally ring procedure. Ring procedure includes all the AKC regulations and conventions for how you and your dog conduct yourselves. For example, you enter and exit the ring with your dog on a leash; you tell the judge whether or not you are ready when he or she asks; you begin when the judges says, "Forward!"
-
Step 4
Know the Rally rules. For example, you have to complete the stations in the designated order; at the Novice level the dog is on leash, while at the Advanced and Excellent levels the dog is off leash; there are points lost for incorrectly performing a station; you are allowed to repeat a station. These are just some of the many rules that you should know by heart before you enter a competition.
-
Step 5
Train your dog. It is hard to train on your own unless you are a very experienced trainer and competitor, so look for an instructor. Most local kennel clubs offer training classes, and there are also many privately owned training centers. Start with your local kennel club. The people you meet there will know of other instructors in the area and will prove an invaluable resource.
-
Step 6
Enter matches. Matches are like practice shows. They generally only cost a few dollars to enter, and they give you opportunity to do practice runs, get feedback from other handlers and the match judge, and see how your dog will react to a setting that is similar to a show setting. You and your dog should be doing well at matches before you enter the competition ring. Local kennel clubs and private training facilities will all offer matches.
-
Step 7
Attend some actual trials before you compete in one. Watch what goes on, observe the ring procedure and pay close attention to the competition. You will be more comfortable at your first trial if you know what is going on when you get there. Also, watching the experienced handlers and dogs at higher levels of competition can be a really good educational experience for you.
