Hi Doris, I started out in obedience when I was in highschool and trained my first dog to UD level. I would have said the same thing you did about Rally, before I participated in it, but now I totally disagree. If I would have had to attempt a CD with Gilley for the AOE, I would have said "Forget it", but now that I 've done it, I will probably go further with him and have him signed up with Kelly Malone to do herding in a week. I found by doing this, that this dog wasn't a go forever airhead, but he is truly a very intelligent dog and I regret not doing anything with him before. If Rally hadn't been allowed, he would still be in the kennel without an AOE. I plan on training all my titled dogs and going on with titles at both ends. The way Rally is scored makes it very easy and fun to get, but he is very well trained now and I spent a lot of time with the training to achieve that purpose. Ann www.edangsd.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doris E" <irrenhaus4@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: "showlist" <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 3:50:26 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] AOE When the AOE program began, the idea was to have a title at both ends of the dogs name. Originally it was an Obedience title, but it has now expanded considerably. I can see a Herding title and a working title, but I think Rally should not be a qualifier for the AOE designation. Herding and working are functions of the Shepherd. Rally, fly ball, etc. should not qualify a dog, in my opinion. Doris E, ROM sires chair. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================ -- Ann www.edangsd.com Home of Sel Ex Champions Maxwell and Gilley, #1 dam Muggles, Breeder-owner 0f 70 champions and 19 ROMs. Proud receipient of Lloyd Brackett Award ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================