I'd really like to start trialing in obedience with Dance, and my goal is to hopefully have her CD and/or RN titles by the end of this year/very beginning of next year. But I don't know what sort of classes I should take -- a beginners Rally class, or an advanced Obedience class? I don't think a Rally class would be beneficial to Dance at all as far as learning new behaviours go, but I'd feel more comfortable taking a Rally class before entering a trial so that I'd know for certain what all of the different signs/stations are and what they mean. I have a list of all the Rally stations, and they seem straightforward enough, but I'm sure there's something that would catch me off guard. And if I were to take an advanced Obedience class, Dance may in fact learn something new, but would I learn all I'd need to know for Rally as well?
Here's a list of what Dance knows (not including tricks, since those aren't relevant):
Sit
Down
Come
Stay
Wait
Stand
Front
And we're working on a more solid Heel (she's great at loose leash walking by my side, but I'm not sure she actually knows 100% what heel position is or not)
Does she need to know anything more for a CD or RN? Will she need to be reliable off leash for either? I don't trust her to heel off leash nicely yet... but like I said, we're working on it. If you were in my position (ie: totally new to the competitive dog world, but with a dog who knows the basics), would you take the beginners Rally class or the advanced Obedience class? Which would be more beneficial do you think?
Here's a list of what Dance knows (not including tricks, since those aren't relevant):
Sit
Down
Come
Stay
Wait
Stand
Front
And we're working on a more solid Heel (she's great at loose leash walking by my side, but I'm not sure she actually knows 100% what heel position is or not)
Does she need to know anything more for a CD or RN? Will she need to be reliable off leash for either? I don't trust her to heel off leash nicely yet... but like I said, we're working on it. If you were in my position (ie: totally new to the competitive dog world, but with a dog who knows the basics), would you take the beginners Rally class or the advanced Obedience class? Which would be more beneficial do you think?