Rally is a sport combining traditional obedience with handler skills in a slightly less formal environment.  Dog and handler teams navigate a constantly changing course of numbered signs with the degree of overall difficulty increasing through five different levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, and Masters.  Rally goals include developing teamwork, enthusiasm for learning, and the fundamentals of traditional obedience exercises.  The IRDTC classes focus on ensuring both the handler and the dog are having fun while gaining confidence in each other and developing skills as a team.  The key elements are ring etiquette, walking a course, understanding the exercises, appropriate and targeted rewards, raising performance expectations, and training for success. Prerequisite: Dog and handler have either completed the Beginning Obedience Class OR passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test OR achieved the first leg of a Beginner Novice Title. [Fees for this 6-week session are $60 for non-members and $30 for members.]

• Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m., Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced levels work together under Instructor Debbie Wells; next 6-week session starts Aug. 28, 2019.
• Wednesdays, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m., Excellent and Master level teams work together, led by Instructor Debbie Wells; Next 6-week Session starts Aug. 28, 2019.