Rally obedience was introduced by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2005, and since then has become hugely popular. Ask many GCOC members and they will quickly admit they are "Rally Junkies!"

So what is rally, exactly?
The AKC describes rally as "a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10-20 depending on the level).

Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill that is to be preformed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, the perfect 'heel position' is not required.

Learn more about AKC Rally Regulations, including a list of Rally signs and their descriptions.