HOLDEN, Maine — Sit. Down. Stay. Good dog! On March 15, Tulsa, Okla., will be filled with some of the most well-behaved dogs in the nation, all aiming for the top spot at the first ever AKC Rally® National Competition. Rebecca Henderson of Holden and her 2-year-old Papillon, Keeper, will be among the contenders.

 Henderson and Keeper qualified to compete against some of the best AKC Rally® dogs in the Rally Novice class. Rally Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Advanced Excellent classes are offered at this national competition.

 AKC Rally® combines elements of Obedience and Agility. The dog and handler move through a course of numbered exercises, all while the handler is communicating with and praising the dog.

Rally demonstrates a sense of teamwork and provides an excellent introduction to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers and can provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. AKC Rally® promotes a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for dogs at all levels of competition.

This year, the AKC Rally® National Competition is part of the new Companion Events Extravaganza, which celebrates the top dogs in AKC Companion Events. This multi-day event in Tulsa features Championship events for Agility and Obedience in addition to this new national competition for AKC Rally®.

This year marks the nineteenth National Obedience Championship as well as the seventeenth National Agility Championship and fourth Preferred National Agility Championship and the inaugural AKC Rally® National Competition. Visit http://www.akc.org for more information.

Henderson is a member of Penobscot Valley Kennel Club.

The AKC Rally® National Competition is sponsored by J & J Dog Supplies.