American Kennel Club Records First Rally Champion
By Samantha Seymour The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that the first AKC Rally Champion (RACH) titled dog has been recorded. A six-year old black Labrador Retriever named “Zorro,” owned by Robert (Bob) Fullum of Staten Island, NY, is the first dog to earn the AKC’s Rally Champion title. The RACH was earned on November 3, 2018 at the Port Chester Obedience Training Club in White Plains, NY. “I am so proud of my black Lab Zorro for making this dream/goal a reality,” said Bob. “To learn more about AKC Rally® and other sports, visit www.akc.org. |
AKC Rally ClassesRally Competition Classes Instructor-Samantha Scicchigno Most Rally classes are filled from a pre-existing wait list. It is strongly suggested to contact our Rally Registrar to get on the waitlist - Geri Crane (registrar)-rallyregistrar@sicdtc.info Marge Larsen (Rally Director)-rally@sicdtc.info Samantha Scicchigno (Instructor)-Samscicchigno@gmail.com Fees: Non members $215 Members $145 MONDAY Rally - 8 week session. 6:10PM: Advanced/Excellent 7:20PM: Advanced/Excellent 8:30PM: RACH Skills WEDNESDAY Rally - 8 week session 7:20PM: Novice 8:20PM: Foundations Those interested in a signing up for a session of Rally classes should email Marge Larsen to be placed on the wait list. Class Descriptions: Excellent Perfecting previously taught Novice, Advanced and Excellent skills and beginning to teach some Master skills. Courses will be primarily at the Advanced and Excellent levels. RACH Skills/Coursework Primarily coursework for experienced dogs trained through Master. Some sign review and games will be covered as needed. Novice Perfecting previously taught Novice skills and beginning Intermediate/Advanced. Courses will start as primarily Novice and we will work up towards the inclusion of more Intermediate/Advanced skills. Foundations For teams new to Rally. Skills for successful competition in AKC Rally Novice will be introduced. Our Rally Registration forms can be viewed, printed and downloaded here: ![]()
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"AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility."
- Excerpt from the "Getting Started" page, section 'What Is Rally,' on the American Kennel Club official website.
Rally is a dog sport in which a dog and handler team must navigate a course comprised of various numbered stations that must be completed in numerical order, with few, if any, errors. Each station has a sign that tells the handler what to do. The team has to move at a normal yet brisk pace so that they finish in as little time possible.
Rally is great for everyone, from teams beginning their competition training journey to seasoned vets looking for an activity less physically intense to strut their stuff. Rally is often pursued alongside other dog sports, thanks to its relationship-building nature and tendency to help build confidence in both the dog and the handler.
While several "flavors" of competition Rally are offered by different hosting organizations, SICDTC primarily offers AKC Rally training. In AKC Rally, there are five levels of competition, from Novice through Master. Levels get progressively longer and more difficult, with many activities in the higher levels drawing on behaviors performed in the AKC sister sport of formal obedience. There can be anywhere from 10 - 20 stations throughout a course, depending on what skill level the course is designed for.
SICDTC Instructors and Members have competed throughout the area in the highest levels of AKC Rally and many qualify each year for the AKC Rally National Championship, held yearly at various venues across the whole country!
- Excerpt from the "Getting Started" page, section 'What Is Rally,' on the American Kennel Club official website.
Rally is a dog sport in which a dog and handler team must navigate a course comprised of various numbered stations that must be completed in numerical order, with few, if any, errors. Each station has a sign that tells the handler what to do. The team has to move at a normal yet brisk pace so that they finish in as little time possible.
Rally is great for everyone, from teams beginning their competition training journey to seasoned vets looking for an activity less physically intense to strut their stuff. Rally is often pursued alongside other dog sports, thanks to its relationship-building nature and tendency to help build confidence in both the dog and the handler.
While several "flavors" of competition Rally are offered by different hosting organizations, SICDTC primarily offers AKC Rally training. In AKC Rally, there are five levels of competition, from Novice through Master. Levels get progressively longer and more difficult, with many activities in the higher levels drawing on behaviors performed in the AKC sister sport of formal obedience. There can be anywhere from 10 - 20 stations throughout a course, depending on what skill level the course is designed for.
SICDTC Instructors and Members have competed throughout the area in the highest levels of AKC Rally and many qualify each year for the AKC Rally National Championship, held yearly at various venues across the whole country!