From Earthdog... to Rally-O!
Performance events are a fun way to break out of the confines of the Conformation ring. We compete with our dogs in Earthdog and Rally-O. Earthdog is a test of terrier instinct. In Junior Earthdog the dogs are released at the starting point and with no other assistance from the handler they are to find the tunnel, crawl through the 30' tunnel(with two 90 degree turns) within 30 seconds and get to the rats at the very end. They work the rats, which can be biting, digging, lunging etc until the judge tells the handler to come collect the dog. No rats are harmed and most of them fall asleep during the trials! They are in a metal-wire cage behind thick wooden dowels so they have no chance of injury. The dogs love the sport and it is very neat to see your couch potato turn into a true terrier. Rally-O is a mix between agility and obedience. There is a course made of numbered signs that show the movement to be performed at those stations. It is timed incase of a tie and then the best time wins. Handler-Dog interaction is greatly encouraged, including patting your leg, clapping your hands and talking to the dog, especially in the lower levels. Both Gypsy and Vegas both have their Senior Earthdog(SE) titles, and Gypsy has been awarded her Rally Advanced (RA) title, and Vegas has his Rally Novice (RN) title. Gypsy also has two legs towards her Novice Standard Agility (NA) title and one leg towards her Novice Jumpers (NAJ) title.












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