Purpose

CARO aims to:

• Encourage ALL dogs, purebred, mixed breeds, pets, companion dogs or titled champions to participate in the fun and exciting sport of RallyO.
• Provide a venue for dogs to earn RallyO obedience titles in Canada.
• Qualify and certify Judges in Canada, so that trials may be held.
• Maintain a registry of dogs eligible for competition.
• Maintain a registry of trial results and titles awarded.
• Establish a database of training classes, clinics etc.
• Use the guidelines of APDT, AKC and CARO to promote RallyO to its fullest potential.

Physically challenged dogs or handlers are welcomed and special accommodation is made for them.
Good Sportsmanship both in and out of the ring is a primary objective of CARO.
Rally O is a venue where dogs and handlers can work together as a team in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment while honing their skills and earning awards for their efforts.

It is Bud (Charles) Kramer's wish that even as more Advanced levels are added to Rally, that Rally titles will remain based on Individual scores and not on the aspect of defeating other teams. It shall remain in our mandate to encourage and reward individual dog and handler teams so that Rally will remain a sport, much in the way Agility is a sport.

Initially the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience incorporated many of the rules of RallyO from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). CARO based the exercises at the Novice and Advanced levels mostly from those of the APDT. The Excellent and all subsequent levels of CARO are original to CARO and, as the sport grows and flourishes, new levels of competition will evolve as will the rules and regulations governing the judging and performance of individual stations. CARO is now considered a leader in field and many organisations throughout the world are using the rules of CARO as a base for their competitions.