No matter how much we try not to, we make handler errors — we're human. But if we're aware of the most common handler errors, it can go a long way to saving big chunks of points, in some cases 10 points at a time, and some cases it saves qualifying scores.
Over the years, I've seen some spectacular team performances go down the drain. What sure looked like a 100 ended up a 70 or an 80. How does that happen?
Well, the handler finished with a sit when it was a finish-forward and didn't pause on the walk around and didn't carry the Fast Pace all the way to the Normal sign, (some judges require it the whole distance). 30 points off of what would have been 100. Ouch!
I've also seen plenty of performances that weren't perfect, but certainly merit respectable qualifying scores, only to end up NQs for all the same reasons noted above. Add in a couple out-of-position deductions and a tight leash here and there and what would have been a 96 just became an NQ.
Know the most common handler errors and save yourself points and Q's!
Below are details that pertain to the performance of a few specific signs that make up what I consider to be the most common, (and costly), errors that I see at trials, (and in my classes) — they are ALL handler errors. Hopefully, it will save you some points AND qualifying scores!
My Rally Coach App, "Rally School" and "Hints" go into a lot more detail than what you see below. I hope you download and check it out. There's a link to the App Store below.
Call Front Signs
On call front signs it’s specific to finishes, whether left or right, whether finish sit or finish forward. Don’t lose 10 points with a finish sit when it’s a finish forward, or vice versa, and don’t lose 10 points with a finish right when it’s a finish left, or vice versa.
Figure 8
Too many or too few times through a figure 8. Don’t forget to count out loud each time through. It helps you AND the judge keep track of how many times crossing the center.
PAUSE
Not pausing — always PAUSE when you return to heel! Every sign where YOU return to heel, (or leave two steps), and pauses is written into the principal part of the sign description. At trials, when adrenaline is flowing, we tend to speed up — this is one area we need to slow down!
Pace Changes
Not really changing pace at Fast or Slow signs. The dog AND handler must speed up, or slow down noticeably. Just because your steps get faster or slower, doesn’t mean that you or your dog are moving any faster or slower. Also, not completing the pace change all the way to the Normal or Finish sign.
Cones
Entering cones incorrectly on spirals, serpentines, and weaves.
Not leaving enough room for their dog around the cone and getting crowded into the cone by their dog.
Positions
Not waiting for their dog to sit completely, (or down), before moving on to the next position or portion of the sign, or before heeling forward.
Adjusting Position
Adjusting the position of their dog in the middle of a sign.
In a trial, if your dog sits, downs, or stands crooked, or not in perfect heel or front position, you should not adjust or reposition your dog – leave it alone!
If the sit, down or stand is a principal part of the sign and the behavior has been executed, even though it may be out of position, the principal part of that portion of the sign has been performed correctly. You might lose a point or two, for out of position, but retrying the sign is not necessary, (-3 points), and you risk not doing it correctly, resulting in an IP and a 10-point deduction.
If you adjust the position of your dog, you are adding elements that are not in the written description for the sign, which turns it into an IP (-10 points). The sign description doesn’t read “While heeling the handler halts and the dogs sits, the dog then sits closer, the dog downs, the dog the repositions straight, etc.,” you get the idea.
If you think you are redoing a portion of the sign by adjusting your dog, you aren’t — you can’t redo just a portion of a sign. To redo a sign, you must reapproach the sign and reattempt it in its entirety.
The bottom line… if your dog is out of position, take your point or two deduction and keep going — don’t turn it into ten.
Foot Movement
When they do, most handlers don’t realize they are moving their feet on stationary signs. Whether it’s a slight shuffle as their dog is finishing around them, or a turn of a foot to help their dog into a down, these subtle moves can be costly. There are many signs that include in their description, without the handler moving their feet.
What’s commonly overlooked, is that in Chapter 2, Section 30 – Scoring – Handler Errors, it reads “Once a handler has stopped on any halt sign the handler cannot move their feet to assist a dog without incurring a handler error.”
Once you stop, keep your feet still as you complete the behavior chain — no “Happy Feet”!
Sit Stay Sign (Excellent Class)
Not leaving enough room between the sign or ring boundary to walk around their dog to return to heel position. And not waiting for the judge to say “Exercise Finished” before clipping on leash at the end of the exercise.
Call Sign (Excellent, Master and Choice* Classes)
Not leaving enough room between the themselves and the sign for their dog to return to heel without going around or interfering with the sign.
*Choice is a new AKC Rally class coming June 2023.
Stopping at the Finish Sign (usually a new handler)
You and your dog must pass the Finish Sign to finish your run and to stop timing. Do not stop at the Finish Sign.
360°
Turning the wrong direction.
Missing a sign
It's the worst feeling in the world to finish what felt like a great run, only to find out you NQ'd because you missed a sign. "Inventory" signs on your map study and walk through.
Lapsing on these seemingly minor, but critical, details is costly — 10 points a pop. These common handler errors are 100% preventable as they have nothing to do with the performance of your dog.
Additional common handler errors and lapses…
Retrying a jump. Jumps may not be retried at any level.
Retrying any sign at the Master level. No sign may be retried in Master.
Not being ready when it’s their turn. Not every rally run makes it to the finish and adjustments to the run order happen. Pay attention and be ready when it’s your turn, so you don't get caught in a panic rushing to the ring.
Entering the ring with improper equipment, (tags hanging from collars), etc. This is a common error of first-time rally competitors.
Partying after the finish before exiting the ring. You are being judged from the moment you enter the ring until the moment you exit, (not just from Start to Finish). Your dog needs to be under control on a loose leash entering and exiting the ring.
Not waiting for the judge to say “Forward” at the Start sign. This is an error sometimes seen with first-time rally competitors.
Patting and clapping in the Excellent and Master levels.
Not using all commands and/or signals during a sign made up of an extended behavior chain. Nerves and adrenaline tend to make us hurry and forget parts.
If you have some other common errors in mind, please leave a comment to share your observations or experiences, to help save others from losing the same points!
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