Competing in Talking Dogs Rally
Getting started
In order to be able to compete and win titles and awards, teams need to register with TD Rally. To do this contact the Office or download the Competitor Registration Form.pdf. Complete and return the form and fee (£10) to the Office. We can then set up your records in which we can store your scores, include you in the National Rankings and note any modifications that you or your dog may need (see below.) Once registered, your will receive a registration card which you need to show whenever you compete.
A team is made up of a dog and a handler. Handlers can be registered with multiple dogs, and dogs can be registered with multiple handlers, but each team must have their own registration number.
There is a special family registration that can be issued where there are multiple dogs and handlers within a family. Rather than each team paying the £10 fee, multiple teams, up to a maximum of 4 teams, can be registered for a single fee of £25.
Each team only has to register with us once.
Remember to send us your Competitor Registration Form.pdf.
Who can compete?
Handler
Everyone over the age of 7 years is eligible to compete once registered with TD Rally. When attending trials children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Any registered handler that exhibits threatening behaviour anywhere on the show site will be issued with a written warning from the Talking Dogs Rally office. A second warning will result in permanent suspension of the handler’s eligibility to compete or attend any TD Rally events. A list of banned handlers will be made available to trial hosts.
Judges may exclude any handler who delivers a harsh correction while in the ring. Judges, trial hosts and any TD Rally officials may exclude any person who delivers a harsh correction while outside the ring.
Dog
All breeds of dogs, crosses and mixes of breeds over 6 months old can register to compete in Talking Dogs Rally. Health and behaviour may exclude dogs from competing but breed type does not. Dogs that are injured, e.g. cut paw, or recovering from surgery, e.g. castration or spay, should not be worked in a TD Rally trial without a letter from their veterinary surgeon confirming the dog’s fitness to compete. This letter must be given to the trial host before the team starts their round. Only in exceptional circumstances will a dog that is bandaged, stitched or taped be allowed to compete. These cases should be referred to TD Office if the Judge is in any doubt about the dog’s fitness or wellbeing. A letter from their veterinary surgeon confirming the nature of the injury and the dog’s fitness to compete is mandatory.
Female dogs in season are not permitted to compete.
Dogs that display threatening or aggressive behaviour cannot compete. Threatening behaviour includes but is not limited to snarling, baring teeth, growling, air-snapping and lunging. In some cases, where the behaviour is well managed, competitors can apply to TD Rally for dispensation to compete at Level 1. However, they are not permitted to perform any Bonus exercises as these require the dog to be off lead or at a distance from the handler. At the discretion of either the Judge or the trial host any dogs exhibiting signs of aggression that threaten the safety of other dogs or humans shall be excused from the competition. If the trial official believes that it is necessary in order to ensure the safety of others, he/she shall request that the dog be removed from the trial site or confined in such a manner as to remove the threat to others. Refusal by the handler to comply shall result in permanent removal of that dog and that handler's Talking Dogs Rally eligibility. Talking Dogs Rally accepts no liability for the misbehaviour of any registered dog.
The trial host must file a report on any incidents of aggression along with other post-trial paperwork.
The handler of any registered dog that exhibits threatening behaviour anywhere on the show site will be issued with a written warning from the Talking Dogs Rally office. A second warning will result in permanent suspension of the dog’s eligibility to compete or attend any TD Rally events. A list of banned dogs will be made available to trial hosts.
Judges may exclude any handler who delivers a harsh correction while in the ring. Judges, trial hosts and any TD Rally Representatives may exclude any person who delivers a harsh correction while outside the ring.
Disabilities
TD Rally is happy to welcome and accommodate handlers and dogs with disabilities as far as is practicable. Providing there is no evidence of the dog being in pain, distress or discomfort due to the disability, they can compete. If any member of the team’s disabilities prevent them from performing particular exercises as set out by TD Rally, the handler can submit a TD RALLY DISABILITY MODIFICATION FORM.pdf. This details which exercises the team cannot fully perform and the modification used by the handler. For example, a blind dog may require more verbal cues, a deaf dog more visual cues or a dog with a limb amputation may be unable to perform jump stations such as L3-10. Or a handler in a wheelchair may require more room to negotiate stations such as the slalom. Or a handler with mobility issues may find the fast pace stations particularly challenging. The Disability Modification Form will be supplied by TD Rally on request from the handler when they first register their team. The modification must reflect, to the best of the team’s ability, the original description of how to perform the station. The TD Rally Co-ordinator will then approve (or request resubmission) the modification and add this to the team’s records.
This form must be submitted with the competitor’s trial application form whenever they apply to compete. The trial Judge must be given a copy of the form before the trial and the trial secretary or ring steward will attach the written description to the team's score sheet. TD Rally must be sent the form along with the other trial paperwork after the trial.
It is the responsibility of the registered team to inform the TD Rally Office of any changes in their circumstances, e.g. regarding disabilities. If, on the day of the trial, the team requires further modifications not already agreed by the TD Rally Co-ordinator, the trial Judge has the discretion to allow or deny such modifications.
Finding a trial
TD Rally will post details of all TD Rally Trials on this website. Teams should also check with their local dog clubs, county shows, etc. to check if they are hosting any TD Rally classes at their events.
To enter a trial, contact the Trial host who will send you out an application form and full details of their event.
For full details on Competing, please refer to the
