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Event Rules

The exercises included in this program are obedience exercises and therefore, will be judged as obedience exercises. BUT if these exercises are performed with the briskness, speed and enthusiasm intended, they must be judged in that context. The idea is to allow the handler to concentrate on working with speed and enthusiasm with their dog rather than concentrating on precision of performance.

CARO Rally Obedience Eligibility

  1. All breeds of dogs and mixed breed dogs are eligible to compete in CARO Rally for All Dogs
  2. Dogs that are physically challenged are allowed and encouraged to compete, providing they do not show evidence of being in pain or discomfort. The judge shall excuse any dog that appears to be in pain or discomfort during the competition. JUDGES decision is final.
  3. Owners who are physically challenged are allowed and encouraged to compete. Owners shall provide the judge with a written description of how they intend to perform any of the course exercises, that must be modified to accommodate the owners particular physical challenge.. The modification must approximate to the best of the owner's ability, the original course exercise. The judge must approve and initial the modification(s) and attach the written description(s) to the disabled owner's score sheet. Modification formsshall be made available to exhibitors on the Rally show-grounds. Female dogs in estrus (heat) may not compete.
  4. Dogs exhibiting signs of aggression that threaten the safety of other dogs or humans, shall be excused from competition at the discretion of either the judge or the CARO Rally Representative. If the Rally Representative believes it is necessary in order to ensure the safety of others, he or she shall request that the dog be removed from the show-grounds or confined in such a manner as to remove the threat to others. Refusal to do so by the dog's owner shall result in permanent removal of both that dog and that person's CARO Rally eligibility.
  5. Dogs must be at least six months of age to compete.
  6. All dogs must be shown at all levels of CARO Rally by the owner or by a member of the owner's immediate family. "Immediate family" is defined as: Mother, father, spouse, life partner, brother, sister, child, grandparent or grandchild.
  7. Dogs must be registered with the CARO Rally Committee in order to be eligible to compete for CARO Rally awards and titles. There is a one-time registration fee of $35 per dog. Current CARO members receive a $10.00 discount.The dog identification card or proof of individual dog registration from CARO must be presented to the trial secretary in order for the dog to compete at the trial. Handlers may submit Individual Dog Application form filled out and accompanied by a cheque to CARO for the amount required to the Trial Secretary. The trial Secretary must submit this application with the trial results.

General Rules

  1. The event host must
    1. Engage the services and pay the fees of a CARO-approved Rally judge at all CARO-
      sanctioned Rally events.
    2. Set the Trial Entry Fees.
    3. Forward the $2.00 per RUN team to CARO when submitting the trial entries and results. CARO will mail out certificates to those who have qualified for titles.
    4. The Trial Secretary is responsible for posting signs at the trial, which state that prompting from spectators will result in an NQ for the competing team.
    5. The Trial Secretary must request the dog identification card or proof of individual dog registration from CARO in order for the dog to compete at the trial.
  2. Course Design It is the responsibility of the judge to design the Rally course(s)for the event.
  3. Course Approval All judges must present a copy of their proposed Rally courses to the course approver for approval at least 30 days prior to the trial date. This may be done by fax or e-mail.
  4. Modifications for the Physically Challenged Dog or Handler See Section Provisions for the Physically Challenged.
  5. Once a dog has earned a Novice title, showing in that level shall be For Exhibition Only. (FEO). The team must register as non-competing on their entry form. Once a dog has earned titles at the Advanced, Excellent or Versatility Level, they may show at those levels FEO or enter the C Stream to earn points towards their Bronze, Silver, Gold and Masters titles. To show in C Stream, the Excellent title must be earned.
    Dogs may also enter levels at which a title has not been earned as FEO in order to gain experience. For example, once a dog has earned their Novice title, they could continue to show in Novice FEO or they could choose to enter Advanced FEO and run on leash to gain ring experience. CARO will not collect any fees for FEO runs. For Exhibition Only (FEO) runs are done for experience and are not generally scored. At the judge's discretion, a scoresheet may be filled out for an FEO run, in order to provide feedback to the handler. However, FEO runs are not eligible for placements or ribbons or prizes, and no FEO run can be counted towards a title at any level. Clubs will charge for FEO runs.
    Dogs may compete in more than one level at the same trial, under the following provision. The final qualifying run for the first title must occur in the same trial as the legs for the next title
    For example: A team is competing in Trial T06-0000. They have two qualifying legs on their Novice title. They sign up for 4 runs. They do Run #1 (Novice) and fail. They pass Run #2 (Advanced) and Run #3 (Advanced). Run #4 is another Novice run, and they are entered in it, too.
    1. If the dog passes Run #4 (Novice), this will complete his Novice title, and his 2 Advanced legs will count toward his Advanced title.
    2. If the dog fails Run#4, and does not earn his Novice title, then the Advanced legs will not count toward his Advanced title. They will become For Exhibition Only.
  6. Food as Reward Exhibitors who plan to use food as a reward in the ring must indicate this on their registration forms.
  7. The perfect Rally score is 200 points. Dog /owner teams enter the ring with a perfect 200 score and the judge deducts points for faults throughout the course. Deductions may be taken for any portion of the course between the START and FINISH signs.
  8. Qualifying Score Teams must score 170 or higher to qualify. To obtain a qualifying score, the team must, in the opinion of the judge, successfully complete each of the exercises. The C Stream, the teams must score 190 or higher to qualify.
  9. Pass/Fail Option The owner may choose to have their dogs scored only as "Pass/Fail" at any given competition. Handler/dog teams which compete as "Pass/Fail" will be awarded legs for passing scores, but are ineligible for any class placements or special awards. A "Pass/Fail" leg shall be counted as a score of 170 for title average purposes.
  10. Rally Novice A or B Course shall consist of 20-22 exercise stations, including a START and FINISH sign. Novice course shall be performed with the dog "on leash".
  11. Rally Advanced A or B & C Course shall consist of 15-20 exercise stations, including a START and FINISH sign. Advanced courses shall be performed with the dog “off leash”. All dogs must enter and exit the ring on leash.
  12. Rally Excellent & Excellent C Course shall have between 15-20 stations, including a START and FINISH. Dogs will be off leash. All dogs must enter and exit the ring on leash.
  13. Versatility Course & Versatility C shall have between 15-20 Stations, including a START FINISH. All exercises are taken from the Novice Level and also the Tunnel and/or Weave Poles Excellent Level. All dogs must enter and exit the ring on leash.
  14. The Rally Event Ring shall be a minimum of 50' x 80' outdoors and 30’ x 50’ indoors.
  15. Timing the Event All events shall be timed and the times should be recorded/timed to the 100th of a second to avoid time run offs. If the team has exceeded the maximum course time by more than one minute, the judge may ask them to leave the ring.
  16. Allowable Collars All dogs shall be shown in a flat buckle or snap collar. Harnesses that are fixed - tracking, seat belt and body harnesses - are permitted. Leashes should be made of fabric or leather and be long enough to provide adequate slack. Martingale collars, choke collars, prong collars, shock collars, moving harnesses (such as "no-pull" harnesses, loopi harnesses, sporran harnesses), and any harnesses that are designed to be correctional, are not allowed. As well, martingale leads or head halters are not allowed. Dogs at the Advanced and Excellent level are not required to compete with a collar.

Pre-Event Activities

  1. Posting the Course A copy of the course will be posted at the in-gate and at least one other location easily accessible to competitors, and a copy will be provided to each competitor by the event host at check-in on the day of the event.
  2. Numbering the Signs Each sign used in the course should be numbered with an "access number" that corresponds to the numbered list.
  3. Numbering the Stations The sign holders must be numbered to indicate the sequence of the exercises in the course. The numbers must be a minimum of 2" in height.
  4. Preparing the Course The course must be laid out very carefully, matching the posted course. The show committee may lay out the course in advance; however, the judge shall walk the course once it is set up to ensure that it is designed and set up properly. Any necessary changes shall be announced prior to the handlers walking the course. See Preparing the Course and Correct Placement of Signs.
  5. Walking the Course Competitors shall be provided with a 10-minute period at the beginning of the event during which they will walk the course (without dog) and ask the judge questions. If there are more than 20 competitors, an additional 10 minutes will be provided (after every 20 competitors) for course-walking and questions.
  6. Checking the Collar The judge shall check the collar when the dog enters the ring. A dog wearing an improper or improperly fitted collar shall be excused. The owner shall be given the option of returning to compete at the end of the class order with a proper or properly fitted collar.
  7. Dog Heights Dogs are not required to be measured on the day of trial prior to the judging. However, judges have the option of measuring any dog prior to his/her performance if the dog appears to be entered in a group lower than might be indicated by his/her registered shoulder height.
  8. Jump heights may also be modified based on physical challenges (such as age, body type, or disability) that a given dog may face. These modifications are at the discretion of the judge and will be noted on the score sheet and reported to the CARO Representative with the Trial Results Submission Sheet.
  9. Caution about Outside Interference The judge will caution the spectators that outside interference or prompting will result in a team NQ.

Judging a Performance

  1. Performance Attitude Rally obedience is meant to be performed with animation and enthusiasm, along with briskness in the movement of the team. Handlers are allowed to talk to their dogs and give hand signals.
  2. The Judge gives no verbal directions after the start command. Judging starts as the team passes the Start sign. Judging stops after the team has crossed the finish line.
  3. Distance from the Exercise Signs Exercises should be performed 1 to 2 feet from the Exercise Signs. Deductions of 1-2 points will be taken depending on the distance that the exercise is performed “from the sign”. This prevents competitors from” cutting corners” and ensures that all competitors cover approximately the same distance on the course.
  4. Specific point deductions The judge will use the individual team score sheet for marking the specific point deductions for each performance. For a detailed description of the deductions, see CARO Point Deductions and Clarifications of Rally Obstacles and Positions.
  5. Heeling between exercises is also judged. Errors such as lagging, forging, heeling wide and bumping are scored as minor to significant deductions.
  6. Verbal Encouragement Handlers are allowed to give verbal encouragement after the first command. For Stationary Exercises, verbal or physical cues which result in the dog changing position or maintaining position will incur deductions for double commands.
    Handlers may clap their hands or slap their legs as well as use words to encourage their dog while heeling between stations or during exercises where the dogs is moving - turns, spirals, etc. while the dog is in heel position.
    TARGETING & DOUBLE COMMANDS Clarification. Cues that are used to have the dog resume heel position will incur deductions as per point deduction chart. Team will be penalized with a double command when the target hand changes position (moves) and in doing so, causes the dog to change position or behaviour i.e. If the handler is walking along with a finger stuck out in front of the dog's face or if they are saying heel, heel, heel, we would only penalize if the dog got out of position and the visual or verbal cue caused the dog to change position or behaviour. See Heel Position (Novice Exercises) for more information.
    Deductions will be made for lagging, forging, or out of heel position according to CARO Point Deduction Guidelines.
    Stationary Exercises, verbal or physical cues which result in the dog changing position or maintaining position will incur deductions for double commands
  7. Individual exercises do not have a specific score value. Some exercises are quite simple and others more complicated. Point deductions are assessed against the total performance. However, deductions totalling more than 10 points for any single exercise shall be considered non-qualifying.
  8. Small errors A minor deduction is 1-2 points. Slight errors that would call for a 1/2-point deduction in traditional obedience are not considered deductions for Rally.
  9. Interaction with signs Knocking over a sign or cone is a 5 points deduction. Moving a sign/cone out of position (bumping) results in a 1-2 point deduction for minor movement and 3-5 point deduction for substantial bumping or moving of a sign or cone. There will be no deductions for dogs that knock over or bump the sign/cone with their wagging tails.
  10. Missed Station A handler/dog team who misses a station or an element of a station and goes on to perform the next station would result in an NQ.
  11. Station Error In NOVICE, a handler may go back and repeat or correct a missed portion of the station before they perform the next station; at this level, there is no limit on the number of stations to which the handler may return In Novice a repeat of station will incur a deduction of 3 points but any deductions accumulated attempting the station to that point will be erased. Therefore any station may be attempted 4 times: 1) the initial attempt; 2) the first repeat, which will incur a deduction of –3; 3) the second repeat, which will incur a second deduction of –3: and 4) the third repeat. The team at this point has a score of –9 for the station.
    In ADVANCED, this is allowed for one station only. In Advanced a repeat station will incur a deduction of 5 points and deductions accumulated attempting the station to that point will be eliminated. The station may be attempted 3 times – 1) the original attempt: 2) the first repeat, which will incur a deduction of –5, and 3) the second repeat, which will add a second deduction of –5. If there are any further deductions at this point, such as a second cue, the station now has a total deduction of over 10 points, and the team will NQ.
    In EXCELLENT or VERSATILITY, repeating a station is not allowed.
  12. Interference from Spectators If a prompt from outside the ring results in the team going back and re-doing a station or an element of the station, the teams will NQ.
  13. Maximum Times Maximum time allowed for a Novice course is 3-4 minutes depending on the number of stationary exercises and at the discretion of the judge. For Advanced and Excellent courses, the time allotted is 3 minutes.
    Handler/Dog teams which exceed the maximum time allotted shall receive a non-qualifying score and the judge shall make a "NQ-ET" (exceeded time) notation on the score sheet. Judges shall make reasonable time accommodations for owners or dogs who are physically challenged or for larger, slow-moving breeds of dogs. If the team has exceeded the maximum course time by more than one minute, the judge may ask them to leave the ring.
  14. Corrections Verbal and/or physical corrections are not allowed in the Rally ring. Touching the dog to put it into a position (Sit, Down, Stand) is considered to be a physical correction and will results in an NQ. If the owner uses physical or harsh verbal corrections, judge shall note "NQ - VC" (physical/verbal corrections) on the score sheet for that team and caution the handler. Upon a second such incident, the team shall be excused from the ring and it shall be so noted on the score sheet. Benign leash restraint shall be scored as a tight lead and deducted accordingly. This is not considered a physical correction, unless in the judge's opinion there is an apparent intent on the part of the owner to correct with the leash.
    A harsh verbal correction shall be defined as one that offends the sensibilities of the judge or that causes an obvious adverse reaction in the dog. Any handler who has been excused from the ring for physical or harsh verbal corrections on two separate occasions shall be prohibited from competing in future CARO Rally events for a period of two years.
  15. Leaving the Ring If a dog leaves the Rally ring while on course, the judge shall score that team's performance as "NQ-LR" (left the ring) and make a notation of such on the score sheet. The performance shall be terminated.
  16. Use of Food or Toy Rewards As a Reward Upon completion of an exercise station, where the dog is stationary at the end of the exercise, (sit, down or stand), the owner may choose to give the dog a food or toy reward. Food or toy rewards may only be present in the owner’s hand between exercises. During exercises, all food or toy rewards must be contained in pockets. The food or toy, MUST be kept in the pocket on the opposite side on which to dog is heeling or it will be considered a "food lure" A toy reward is defined as an inactive toy (no sound or light emitted)
    Dropped Food: There is no penalty for food dropped on the floor accidentally. The dog must remain in a sit while the handler goes to get the food.i.e. "If handler picks up the food and the dog has remained in the sit, there will be no penalty but the handler must pocket the food immediately. If the dog goes to the food, the team will be penalized for the dog leaving Heel position.
    Any delivery of food or toy reward that significantly interrupts the flow of the performance shall be scored accordingly.
  17. Off Course If a dog/owner team goes off course (performs an exercise out of order), the team shall receive a non-qualifying score and the judge shall make a notation of "NQ-OC" (off-course) on the score sheet.
  18. Touching the Dog Upon successful completion of an exercise, the owner may choose to briefly pet or touch the dog as a reward. However, any petting or touching that significantly interrupts the flow of the performance shall be scored accordingly.
  19. Eliminating on course If a dog eliminates in the ring, the team shall receive a non-qualifying score. The judge shall terminate the performance and make a notation of NQ-E (elimination) on the score sheet.

In the Event of a Tie

  1. In the event of a tie in scores, the team with the fastest time wins. Teams tying in scores and times shall do a run-off course shortened to the first 12 exercises from the original course.
  2. In the event of a run-off tie, competitors shall perform the shortened course again. The highest score will win but, if there is once again a tie, the highest score with the fastest time will win.

After the Event

  1. Qualifying blue ribbons shall be awarded to each qualifying dog/owner team which achieves a score of 170 or better.
  2. Placement ribbons optional The Show Committee may choose to offer placement ribbons to the top five high-scoring teams. Show committees may also offer other awards as desired such as High in Trial Trophy or other High Scoring awards (Mixed breed, shelter adoptee, senior handler, junior handler, physically challenged handler, etc.).
  3. Judge must sign off on the results At the completion of the rally trial, the judge shall examine, approve and initial each of the official Rally Score Sheets and complete the judge’s trial result submission sheet. A copy of the judge’s Trial Record will be sent by the Show Committee to CARO; a second copy should be kept by the judge for no less that one year.

Titles

  1. In order to attain a Rally title, the dog must earn three (3) legs with scores of 170 or better (or qualifying scores if the Q/NQ option is selected) under at least two (2) different CARO approved Rally Judges. All dogs must begin Rally Obedience Competition at Novice. . The C Stream, the teams must score 190 or higher to qualify.
  2. Titles shall be awarded by CARO to dogs that earn three legs at any given level. Titles shall be awarded by CARO to dogs that earn three legs at any given level.
    Titles Shall Be Four Championship Level Titles
    RN for Novice Level CRB for CARO RALLY BRONZE
    RA for Advanced Level CRS for CARO RALLY SILVER
    RX for Excellent Level CRG for CARO RALLY GOLD
    V for Versatility Level CRMCH for CARO RALLY MASTERS

    In addition, titles (except for Versatility) may include the letters CL (Cum Laude) or MCL (Magna Cum Laude): RNCL or RACL or RXCL for dogs whose total scores for a given title average 180- 189; RNMCL or RAMCL or RXMCL for dogs whose total scores average 190-200.

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