Rally - Guidebook Section IV

Section IV. Heeling

Is Heeling Judged?

Reference to "perfect heel position" has been removed as well, but I don't think a dog should be penalized for staying in perfect heel position just because the exercise does not specify that as part of an exercise. No half points, and more FUN! Isn't that what Rally is supposed to be about? JMHO.

Re heeling between stations: I will judge as the regs are adopted, but my preference would be that, as long as the dog moves easily with the handler, stays in that safety circle, and doesn't pull on the lead (or the handler doesn't tighten up on the lead), it would be qualifyable heeling in Rally.

What is the safety zone in heeling?

To me, a "safety circle" in heeling is the area your left arm would cover if you stuck it straight out in front of your left shoulder, then swung it around to the back. It forms a half circle the length of your arm. If the dog remains in the half circle, it would get no deductions for out of position.

I have E-mailed the Rally Advisory Committee, and the intention was clearly NOT to ignore heeling between stations, but to NOT score it as diligently as in Obedience. We SHOULD expect the dog to be under control and exhibit teamwork. The committee is working on formulating wording which should ease everyone's concern on this issue. Please wait until that is done to pursue the matter further. Thanks again for everyone's input. This is a wonderful list with an open and respectful, and welcoming spirit, and I'm proud to be a member of the list and the sport.

Since Bud Kramer does score all the heeling as a part of the overall picture of Rally, and the WWKC and APDT use his versions, I should think that it would be in everyone's best interest to work on their dog's heeling skills. However, since the deductions are in full 1-point increments, if the heeling is not exactly perfect, it's still possible to do the course without any or only a few heeling deductions.

Change of Pace

Comment: This topic arose from a question about a handicapped handler and how to determine if there is a change of pace per regs. This is the "meat" of the overall discussion.

With the current discussion, I thought I'd go to the "horse's mouth" so to speak.

From the AKC Obedience Regulations: Chapter 3 - Novice: Section 5. Heel on Leash and Figure Eight. ""Fast" means that the handler must run, and the handler and dog must move forward at a noticeably accelerated speed." Section 6 - Heel on Leash and Figure Eight, Scoring. Minor or substantial deductions, depending on the circumstances will be made for additional commands or signals to heel, or for failure of dog or handler to speed up noticeably for the fast, or slow down noticeably for the slow.

So, according to the regulations, the handler does indeed have to run on the fast. And, the dog must *noticeably* accelerate or decelerate. It does not say the dog must change pace - meaning a dog who is trotting in a normal does not have to break into a gallop for the fast, nor does it mean that on a slow, the dog must change to a walk or amble. They may continue to trot, but MUST change their speed.

In addition, the regs also state: Chapter 2: Regulations for Performance and Judging Section 14. Physically Challenged Handlers. Judges may modify specific requirements of the Regulations so that physically challenged handlers may compete. Such handlers must be able to move around the ring without physical assistance or guidance except that, on the judge's instructions, someone may position a blind handler before, between and after each exercise. Dogs handled by such handlers will be required to perform all parts of all exercises as described in these Regulations, and will be penalized for failure to perform any part of an exercise.

So, to me this means that a handicapped handler will still need to get the dog to noticeably change their speed on the fast and slow. However, in this instance, I'd allow for just barely noticeable.

Ok, on to Rally....Descriptions and Performance of the Exercises for Non-regular Rally Classes: 17. * Slow Pace. Dog and handler must slow down noticeably. This must be followed by a normal pace unless it is at the end of the stations for the class.
18. * Fast Pace. Dog and handler must speed up noticeably. This must be followed by a normal pace unless it is at the end of the stations for the class.
19. * Normal Pace. Dog and handler must move forward walking briskly and naturally.

It still states here that the dog must *noticeably* speed up or slow down.

This answers a question/comment that came up a while ago when someone said they saw handlers running (? - or practically) between stations. This would be considered incorrect and they should lose points - but where/how do you deduct them?

Think about it, heeling between stations is judged BUT our score/work sheets don't really allow for scoring this heeling. Only the stations are marked on our score/work sheets. When I'm scoring "heeling" between stations, I actually mark it between the station numbers on my work sheet. Then I know where the infraction took place. In Obedience judging there is a phrase "below the line" for unusual deductions. Usually this is for misbehavior, barking, whining, etc. I have made a line at the bottom of my score/work sheet called "misbehavior pts deducted" for this purpose. If a person were running between every station, I wouldn't want to be constantly writing this between lines, so I'd mark a "total" deduction, only, instead. Hope this helps. How would I score this? A total of 10 pts for incorrect performance on the course. If they were only doing it once or twice, probably only 1 pt per occurrence for Handler error. I will clarify this with Roger at our seminar.

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