Rally-O!

[Athy]

Hey, folks! A small group of us in the Baltimore DObe club have younger dogs (under 12 months) and we are all looking into Rally-O as a fun thing to do with them until all of their brains arrive. I went out to the Internet and found the 51 full size signs (printed them off in color!) and now we're trying to figure out how best to set them up.

I'm thinking a trip to the dollar store to find plastic casings for the signs, which I would glue to a ruler, which I could drop into a plastic cone. Since we'll be do training on both grass and cement surfaces, we need something that will work in either setting. Does anyone have a better way to do this? Also, a good source for the plastic cones? Sporting goods store? Wally World?

Also, for novice courses. Good sources for that? I found one or two to start us off but it would fun to have a few more.

I surfed the 'net a bit for ideas but was hoping that someone with experience could give us some suggestions too. Thanks everyone!

Athy

[Ann Lanier]

Athy,

Sporting goods chain stores carry the 'parking' cones, but the ones I have seen are hollow and lightweight. The ones to go on concrete might need some sand bags in them.

Lumberyards have stakes that come in bundles for surveying and marking homesites, etc. They have a pointy end and are about 3 feet tall. Around here political signs have a 2 legged wire H shaped thingy for plastic signs for various candidates. The signs have a corrogated inner layer the top legs poke way up into. The other two legs go into the ground.

I have a feeling they are printed very cheaply, there are so many of them. You might be able to get some samples for free. Or suppport your favorite candidate. Or sometimes they are left when the election is over. I think it is illegal to take them down before the election.... but a coat of white paint.....

a

[Athy]

<<Sporting goods chain stores carry the 'parking' cones, but the ones I have seen are hollow and lightweight. The ones to go on concrete might need some sand bags in them.>>

I'm wondering if I could permanently attach plastic sign holders right to the cones - leave the holders empty, then we could insert the paper signs into the empty sleeves and put them where we want them depending on the course. Hmmmmm.

I can see we're going to have to do some experimentation with this ;-) We're having rally classes at our specialty this Friday - I may have to quiz some of the folks around the ring.

Thank you, Ann!

Athy

[dobesign]

I use folding book stands. they fold up nicely, and hold the signs well. i prefer the metal ones, as the plastic ones frequently tip over, or get smushed when Tungsten sits on them...ahem...

[Athy]

We had our first practice session today. Five of us (me, Mariann, Lyn, Arlene & Helayne) and six dogs. We used the basketball court of a local school, put our signs in plastic page holders and put the cones over a corner of the signs. Helayne made us up a novice course and we all practiced and critiqued/encouraged one another.

All I can say is this: WHAT FUN!!! Jack seemed to enjoy it and I know I did. We need to practice our "downs" and our "finish left" and of course heeling, heeling, heeling!

I think this is a great activity for young dogs like Jack. It's action, it's fun and Mom can talk her head off in there :D We liked it!

Anyone have any sources for good practice patterns? We're meeting again on Thursday, I can't wait!!!

Athy

[dobesign]

T, bahpajamas, and moose have all decided that rally is a fun way to kinda be obedient. Agilityis faster n funner, but mom ends up signing dirty words most of the time. Its a good thing that most people don't sign, or she'd be in BIG trouble. The only question: how can I convince Moose that it is NOT her job to rearrange the cones without permission? LOL.