Above: A view from outside the pole barn as three dog/person teams participate in Reactive Rally at Great Companions.

Reactive Rally and Reactive Agility exercises are used to get reactive dogs to focus on multiple tasks, and be better able to deal real events in the world they live in. Pictured below is the layout for the flow of the three dog/person teams that usually participate in a Reactive Rally session. Normally, one dog actively works in the pole barn on a relatively simple rally course. A second dog is outside waiting to enter the pole barn. That dog’s job is to focus on the owner while being aware of what is going on in the pole barn. The third dog is leaving, either to go back to his car (crate on wheels) for a party or to remain outside and observe. The series of pictures that follow show what each team does along the way.

Graphic of Reactive Rally, or Reactive Agility, at Great Companions.

Graphic showing the flow of dog/person teams for Reactive Rally.

Before the session Ali Brown and the human students make a plan and discuss what's best for each dog.

Before the session Ali Brown and the human students make a plan and discuss what's best for each dog.

Melissa gets Lacey's focus before beginning her Rally course.

Melissa gets Lacey's focus before beginning her Rally course.

Quincy observes the goings on inside the pole barn as he waits his turn outside.

Quincy observes the goings on inside the pole barn as he waits his turn outside.

Quincy turns his focus back to Diane.

Quincy turns his focus back to Diane.


Learn the techniques used in effective and safe reactive dog classes

You can learn more about doing this exercise on your own with other reactive dogs and owners by clicking on the image to the right. In the section on Reactive Agility, you’ll learn more about how this exercise is done and how to prepare.


After their exercise, Michele and Rocky head back to their car for a few moments before beginning another round.

After their exercise, Michele and Rocky head back to their car for a few moments before beginning another round.

Melissa and Lacey leave the pole barn through the back entrance as Diane and Quincy enter through the gate.

Melissa and Lacey leave the pole barn through the back entrance as Diane and Quincy enter through the gate.

Michele and Rocky wait and focus outside the pole barn as Diane and Quincy do the Rally course. The inside team and the outside teams are aware of what's going on around them throughout this exercise.

Michele and Rocky wait and focus outside the pole barn as Diane and Quincy do the Rally course. The inside team and the outside teams are aware of what's going on around them throughout this exercise.

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  1. Kim

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