SCORING GUIDELINES 

As in traditional obedience, the dog and handler team enters the ring with a perfect score of 200 points. The judge follows the team as they proceed through the Rally course following the instructions spelled out on each of the course signs. The judge indicates point deductions on the score sheet as faults occur on the course. Minor faults that would be scored as a 1/2 -point deduction in traditional obedience are not scored as faults in UK Rally. For example, a slightly crooked sit is not to be deducted from the team's score, while a significantly crooked sit would be scored one point or higher, depending on the degree of the fault. Minimum deduction in Rally is one point, and higher deductions are to be made in one-point increments.

The lead should be held so that there is no tension on the dog’s collar when in heel position. It can be held in one or both hands, and lead and hand position may change during the course. Hand and body position should be relaxed and natural.

START: When a dog and handler team is ready at the Start Line, the judge shall give permission for them to start the course. Judging and timing of the performance begins when the team crosses the start line. The dog does not have to be sitting in heel position to begin the course. Teams may not run across the Start Line.

FINISH: Judging of the performance concludes as the team crosses the Finish Line, if the handler has chosen to perform the Bonus Exercise.  If the handler has chosen not to perform the Bonus Exercise, judging of the performance concludes as the team crosses the Finish Line. The Bonus Exercise is not included in course time.

SCORING:

1. Minimum deduction is one point.
2. Dogs who are unmanageable and/or bark excessively will receive deductions based on the severity of the behavior. The judge may excuse a dog from the ring for unmanageable behavior.
3. Unless otherwise noted in judging/scoring guidelines, retries are allowed, provided the team has not completed the exercise. Retries are not allowed in situations where the team has performed an error that requires the judge to score their performance as non-qualifying. Re-tries shall be scored as a 3 point deduction and shall “erase” any deductions for errors previously made unless those errors require the judge to immediately score the performance as non-qualifying. It is also considered a re-try if a team passes an exercise sign without performing the exercise, and returns to it before performing the next exercise.
4. If the handler uses physical or harsh verbal corrections, the judge shall note "NQ - P/VC" on the score sheet for that team.  The judge may excuse the team from the ring.  A harsh verbal correction shall be defined as one that offends the sensibilities of the judge or that causes an obvious adverse reaction in the dog. Any handler who has been excused from the ring for physical or harsh verbal corrections on two separate occasions shall be prohibited from competing in future UK Rally Events for a period of two years.
5. If a dog leaves the Rally ring the judge shall score that team's performance as NQ - LR, and make a notation of such on the score sheet.
6. If a team goes off course (performs one or more exercises out of order) the team shall receive a non-qualifying score and the judge shall make a notation of NQ - OC on the score sheet.
7. Touch rewards are allowed when the team has completed a stationary exercise.  An exercise is considered complete when the team has performed all the features of the exercise.
8. Any petting, touching rewards that significantly interrupt the flow of the performance shall be scored accordingly. "Significantly interrupts" shall be defined as impeding the natural forward flow of movement of the team and deductions of 1 point or more may be made for any instances that significantly interrupt the flow of the performance.
9. Any dogs exhibiting signs of aggression that threaten the safety of other dogs or humans shall be excused from the competition at the discretion of either the judge or the UK Rally Representative. Refusal by the handler to comply shall result in permanent removal of that dog and that handler's UK Rally eligibility.
10. In Rally, the dog is considered in heel position when both dog and handler are facing the same direction and the handler can reach out and touch the dog’s head.

SCORING

1 point

• tight lead, each occurrence
• Out of position – includes performing an exercise with the sign on the wrong side
• additional cues (given to prompt the dog to perform the exercise) on static exercises
• Dropped lead

2 points

• Significantly out of position sits/downs/fronts/stands/walking eg whilst heeling – persistent lack of attention, dog facing the wrong way, handler unable to touch the dogs head
• Failure of dog to move with handler
• Overly large circles/270’s

• Excessive barking (during the course), jumping on handler failure of the dog to move with handler as specified in exercise description
• Movement out of position during stand

3 points

• re-try of an exercise or any part of an exercise (where allowed)
• Failure to change or maintain pace change
• Dog sitting on or not completing left turn
• handler steps inside 6 ft line when sending dog over jump  level 2
• Sniffing a food bowl

5 points

• Handler is in front of jump/uprights when sending dog over – Level 2
• Failure to sit, down, stand 
• Failure of handler to pivot
• Exercise not completed
• Incorrect finish
• Knocking over a cone or exercise sign
• Performing an obstacle exercise backwards or in the wrong direction  
• Handler is in front of jump/uprights when sending dog over – Level 2
• Dog’s failure to hold position during walk around exercises
• Dog uses jump as aid in going over (banking)
• Dog knocks jump over

1-10 points

• Failure to perform all the elements of an exercise properly

NQ

• Touching the dog to prompt an exercise
• Dog and handler pass on opposite sides of a cone
• Nipping, biting,
• Deductions totaling ten or more points on any exercise
• Exceeding course time (unless an exercise modification for time has been approved)
• Dog leaves the ring
• Petting/touching rewards given on the move or before exercise is completed
• Consistently tight lead
• Handler performs exercises out of sequence (off course)
• Handler misses or does not attempt an exercise
• Dogs who eliminate or become ill in the ring will be excused from the ring and receive a non-qualifying score
• Physical/Verbal correction
• Dog refuses jump
• Dog and handler pass on opposite sides of a cone
• Nipping, biting, attempting to turn over food bowls
• Dog anticipates/moves forward on recall exercises before being called

Multiple Sign Exercises:

When an exercise requires more than one sign to complete, each exercise sign should be listed on the judge’s score sheet.  Each sign should be scored separately.

Sign placement

Signs must be placed so that they are on the handler’s right with the following exceptions:

• Turns/180? pivots may be placed directly in the handler’s path.
• Straight figure 8, Offset figure 8, Spiral Left, Serpentine, Send Over Jump signs are placed so that they are on the handler’s left.
• When halts and pivots are combined, it may be necessary to place a sign so that it is on the handler’s left. Judges should make handlers aware of this during the judge’s briefing.

In the event a team performs an exercise not listed above with the sign(s) on their left, a one point deduction shall be taken.

Bonus Exercises

The Bonus Exercise is an optional exercise. Exhibitors are not required to perform the Bonus Exercise, but must advise the judge at the Start Line if they wish to do so. Each level has several bonus exercises. The Judge will choose the Bonus Exercise to be offered. Judges may only use one Bonus Exercise on a course. The Judge will choose the Bonus Exercise and it will be clearly identified on the course map.

The Bonus Exercise has a total point value of ten points.  If no deductions are taken, ten points are added to the team’s score. If errors are made in the performance deductions are taken off the total exercise value of ten and the final number for the exercise is added onto the score. If the handler chooses not to perform this exercise, this exercise has no impact on the team’s score. A score of zero on this exercise does not impact the team’s final score. However, if during the Bonus Exercise, the dog leaves the ring, eliminates in the ring, becomes ill, attacks/attempts to attack the judge or other situations occur that would require the judge to excuse the dog and score the run as an NQ, the team will receive a non-qualifying score on their performance. This exercise is performed after the team crosses the finish line and the timer has stopped timing.

January 2010