So AKC has announced a couple of new Rally classes (Intermediate and Masters) along with a number of new signs for exhibitors to learn.

Anyone see them yet - started practicing (in force in Nov. 2017)?

Some look really cool and fun to train and do in the ring.

AACCCK! No Rally folks interested?

As I mentioned some of the Masters class new signs are really cool and will be fun to train and demonstrate in the ring.

I've seen most of them in other rally venues (ASCA, C-WAGS, WCRL, Rally-FrEe) so most of them aren't all that new to me.

These other groups already have most of the same signs? Interesting. Sounds like you are very much into the other Rally venues, other than just AKC. I never noticed if the other orgs had clubs/trials where we are.

The different number of Rally orgs would provide everyone with a chance to earn a lot more and different titles as well as the opportunity to train their dogs a lot.

just looked at one of the other orgs you mentioned "Rally-FrEe". Sounds a bit different than AKC with the "Canine Musical Freestyle" added. Dancing with my dog would have been pretty different I have to admit! A woman in my Obedience club was into that sort of thing with her dogs - Aussies, I think! Interesting but not for us.

But you seem to say that they have all the new signs that AKC is just adding now for November trials. I will take a look at the signs in Rally-Free in a bit of detail.

Thanks for the info!

There are tons of other venues for rally besides AKC. I've competed in WCRL (it was APDT at the time), C-WAGS, ASCA, and Rally-FrEe in addition to AKC. I know C-WAGS has the cloverleaf and I recognized a lot of ASCA signs in there as well. Spinning alongside the handler has always been a freestyle thing so it's natural to find it in Rally-FrEe even though the sport is relatively new.

Freestyle, imho, is the best dog sport. I've been involved with it for almost 10 years. It's creative and challenging (as well as SUPER FUN!). Like all sports, it's not for everyone.

I'm looking forward to the new signs and possibilities for AKC rally with the puppy. Risa is retired from AKC rally after earning her RAE and she can't jump anymore with her back. It'll be a while before Kyu gets to play, though.

Appreciate the info on other orgs. I knew there was one other but not that many! I think there is now an Intermediate class in AKC with some of the advanced signs but no jumps. Might be a good class. I believe that AKC recognized that there were a lot of people with dogs that could not jump (age and/or injury?) and so set up another class for them to keep competing! Sounds like a good idea I think.

UKC has rally as well. And then there's CARO and CKC in Canada. LOTS of options!

I think the Intermediate class is for dogs who aren't quite ready for off-leash Advanced. I don't think dogs with RAEs would be welcome there.