CARO Novice Class
A MASTER Handbook in a .pdf format is available on the Forms Page. This covers all rules & exercises. The forms page also has .pdf files for each level. This web site is for information only, the .pdf file should be considered the actual document.
All exercises are judged on leash. The leash must be made of fabric or leather
and need only be long enough to provide adequate slack.
The Rally Novice A Class
The A stream is for the handler who is an inexperienced
beginner – who has never titled a dog in any sport. They have not instructed
or assisted with dog training classes in any sport. In effect, this is the first
time they have worked a dog towards a title. Once the handler has obtained their
RN title, they may continue on to the Advanced A stream with the same dog. There
is no A or B stream stream in Excellent or Versatility.
When a competitor has attained their first Advanced title, they are considered
“experienced” and must compete in the B stream with any other dogs they handle.
A handler must own the dog entered, or be a member of the owner(s) household
or immediate family to compete in Novice A.
A person may enter more than one
dog in this class. A dog completing the Rally Novice (RN )title, may continue
to compete in this class for practice purposes. “For Exhibition Only” (FEO) Dogs
competing under FEO are not eligible for placements in the class.
The Rally Novice B Class
This class is for persons who are professional trainers or instructors
or their assistants, or who are judges or judges-in-training of Obedience, Agility
or Rally competitions, or for persons who have previously obtained an Obedience
title, Rally “Novice” title, or Agility title from any recognized association.
A handler must own the dog entered, or be a member of the owner(s) household
or immediate family to compete in Novice B.
A person may enter more than one
dog in this class. A dog completing the Rally Novice (RN) title may continue
to compete in this class for practice purposes. “For Exhibition Only” (FEO).
Dogs competing under FEO are not eligible for placements in the class.
The Exercise Stations
| Description | Required | Specific Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Total # of Exercises | 20-22 | This includes START & FINISH stations Selected only from Novice Exercise stations, Exercise 1 - 29 or duplicate signs, # 50*58 |
| # of stationary exercises | maximum 5 |
Stationary exercises are any stations beginning with a HALT.
TIME ALLOTTED: three (3) to four (4) minutes depending on the number of
stationary exercises and at the recommendation of the Judge.
IMPORTANT: judges must run courses at all other levels at 3 minutes - this is the CARO rule, and judges may not change it.
The Heel Position (revised effective January 2010)
The dog’s position at heel, whether the dog is "standing, lying down, sitting
or heeling forward"
is defined as follows:
The ideal heel position is when the shoulder of the dog is level with the handler's left or right side. When moving, the team should work continuously at a normal pace. Minor points will be deducted for laggong if the dog's nose drops behind the handler's side (1 - 2 points depending on the degree of distance). The dog may turn his/her head to watch the handler. Minor points will be deducted for forging should the mid-point of the dog's body pass the handler's side (1 - 2 points depending on the degree of distance). The dog should be in a straight line, parallel
with the direction in which the handler is traveling, on the left or right,
but may not switch sides “back and forth” over the course (exception: when
required in the Versatility Class). 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 dog is moving – (turns, spirals, etc.) while
the dog is in heel position. Cues that are used to have the dog resume heel
position will incur deductions as per point deduction chart. Dogs out of heel position for the major part of the course will NQ
;e.g. If the
dog is walking along at heel position while the handler tells him
"Heel, nice heeling boy, good heel, come on, Robbie, what a good boy",
no deductions would be taken. If the dog lags or forges or goes out of heel position
and the handler uses cues to bring him back to heel position, deductions will
be taken.
Failure of the dog to complete any part of any station will result in NQ-IP. Deductions will be made for additional cues, lagging, forging, or out of heel position according to CARO Point Deduction Guidelines
Example 1: In a Pivot where the station sign indicates Halt-Pivot Left-Halt, If dog does not Sit at each Halt, or does not move with the Handler in the Pivot as described in the exercise, the team will be scored NQ because they did not complete the station as described. Example 2: Call Front - finish Left: If the Dog does not sit as described, the team will NQ-IP
Detailed Description