I show in AKC rally, but once I'm done with it I plan to put the boys in UKC rally. The rules are a little different and I've already messed up and NQ'd my dogs TWICE, so I don't want to confuse myself and do it wrong...which is why I'm waiting.
Anyway, both dogs LOVE to do rally, and so do I. It's less strict than obedience, though, so some people view it as less of a title. The Excellent level can be pretty challenging, and to get an RAE it does take quite a bit. An RN or RA or depending on the dog an RE can each be knocked out in a 3 day trial. That's how Logan got his RN and Gavroche got his RA. It makes for a very rewarding weekend
I **** up more than my dogs do. I missed a sign TWICE and NQ'd each of my dogs over it (at two separate trials). So I have taken to counting the signs/stations as I go, and so far it's worked well. I also do the walk-through slowly at least once, and than as fast as I can as many times as I can so the pattern is burned in my head. It also helps to get the course map and study it ahead of time, though some of them are very confusing.
I like rally because it's more relaxed (for the most part...some people are dead serious about it...but I want it to be fun or there's no point in doing it). It's definitely easier for a beginner to really get into than obedience is. Not only are the clubs/handlers more relaxed and welcoming, but the judging itself is too. I've had people come up to me at a trial multiple times and ask about something, and I have happily demonstrated it (usually a question about how a certain exercise is done...I never had a problem remembering the signs, but some people do). Competition is generally less cut-throat than it is in obedience. You can praise, clap, move your body (but not your feet!), anything but use treats to get your dog's attention/do what they need to do in the novice and advanced levels. Excellent is a little more strict, but still much less strict than obedience.
The nice thing about rally is that almost any dog that has a CGC can move into rally pretty quickly with a bit of training. If your dog knows how to sit, down and heel, you can get through a novice run with just clapping and stuff to do the fronts and finishes. It doesn't look as nice, but it can definitely produce a qualifying score. It's definitely a good jumping-off point for other dog sports (I was intimidated by other dog sports, but rally has been a very good introduction and I'm not NEARLY as leery of other sports now).
I agree, Smeagle! I have seen so many dogs competing in Obedience who are clearly working in a state of fear. Soooo sad. I cannot imagine beating or intimidating my dog into competing in a dog sport, it's mind-blowing
I'm not going to say there aren't people who do this, because there are and it is indeed sad that a title is more important than just doing something fun with your dog (and obedience CAN be fun!). But Gavroche looked terrified at the last trial and I swear I don't beat him. It was a 3-day trial and he was SO nervous the entire time. I had to work HAD to get his attention and get him through his runs, and we did terrible all weekend (but still made qualifying scores all 3 days and even got FIRST PLACE on the first day...no freaking clue how that happened, but judging was very inconsistent, and not very strict, that weekend). He was a little nervous at the trials before that, but not nearly to this degree. In hindsight, I think it was all stemming from his thyroid. He was definitely hypothyroid at that point, looking back (he even refused a jump once, which is NOT at all like Gavroche....he loves to jump almost as much as he loves to sleep!), and I think that affected him A LOT. For a few months until we got the thyroid issue diagnosed he was scared of everything unless we were at home. EVERYTHING. But after a few months of treatment he's much better. I think he will still be nervous in the ring, but I'm quite frankly surprised that he will be continuing, when I look back at how he wwas about a month after the last trial. I thought his rally career was over at that point, but I think now we'll definitely finish the RE eventually and then get into the UKC stuff. Not sure if he'll get his RAE, but we'll see.