Rally-O is a great activity that you can do with your dog that will bring you both more joy than you can imagine. Why should you bother?

1. As I said above, it’s loads of fun for you. It’s exciting, challenging, easy to get started with, and can be done casually or more seriously.
2. It’s loads of fun for your dog. Your dog will get exercise and mental stimulation. This means a happy dog, and a dog that’s ready to return home afterwards and take a nice nap.
3. By working together – scratch that; by playing together in this way, the bond between you and your dog becomes stronger than ever.
4. If you’re a bit neurotic as I am and you ever wonder whether your dog is having a fulfilling life, you can rest easy.

But what exactly is Rally-O? Rally-O, or Rally-Obedience, is a sport that can be done competitively or just for fun. It’s basically a cross between obedience competition and canine agility. (Agility is where dogs negotiate a course, jumping jumps, going through tunnels and walking a balance beam in a timed, competitive event.)

In Rally-O, an owner and dog go through a course where they are prompted at each station to do an action, either take a jump (the dog!) or perform some simple bit of obedience work. Owners are allowed to talk to and encourage their dogs, unlike at Obedience trials. Many people do Rally just for fun, but it is also a competitive event.

Here — take a look:

Call your local doggie-day-care center or training center and ask if they teach Rally-O. Other great activities to do with your dog include agility, canine freestyle (AKA dancing with your dog), and, of course, obedience. I know — we’re all incredibly busy and often stressed out. But doing activities like these with your dog (maybe with your family, too!) is a lot cheaper than therapy, more rewarding than complaining to your friends, and much more fun!