What is Rally?
		Rally Obedience is the newest venue for AKC titles. Based on training exercises often used in preparing for regular obedience, Rally consists of signs on a course which a dog and handler negotiate together without instruction from the judge. AKC views rally as a bridge between the Canine Good Citizen certification program and regular obedience competition. However, many dogs retired from other venues have enjoyed earning Rally titles right alongside dogs totally new to the show world. Rally has three levels – Novice, Advanced and Excellent – as well as an upper level known as Rally Advanced Excellent. Title abbreviations are RN, RA, RE and RAE respectively and are added to the dog’s registered name once earned. Three qualifying scores (a minimum of 70 out of a possible 100) need to be obtained to earn RN, RA and RE titles. Titles must also be earned starting with the Novice level and working up through Advanced and Excellent. Novice is performed completely on leash, Advanced and Excellent are off leash. Courses may be designed from a collection of several exercises, arranged according to the judge’s course map. Consequently, courses will be different from one match or trial to the next. Difficulty and number of exercises increases with each level. To earn a Rally Advanced Excellent title, a dog must qualify in both Advanced and Excellent at the same trial a total of ten times.