Canon Rebel XTi Flash stops working

I have a Canon Rebel XTi and when I take several pictures using the flash in a row. Suddenly it starts making me wait several seconds inbetween shots. I found in the manual that this is to protect my flash or something. But my sister in law has a Nikon very similar to my camera in price range and hers doesn't ever do this. Is there anyway to turn it off. Or is there some kind of flash that I can attach that will not do this. Thanks.

It's a combination of recharging the capacitors that power the flash, and preventing it from firing fast enough to overheat. I'd be very surprised if your sister in law's consumer level nikon was any different.

Theres no getting around it in camera, but external flashes have shorter recycle times.

Keeping the batteries charged might help a bit.

Get a Canon 400 or 500 series flash. External flashes will do a lot of things the on-camera flash won't. You will have much less problem with red eye and be able to bounce and soften the flash much easier.

agreed. This is normal. OTOH i would try to stay away from using the pop up flash unless I absolutely have to. If you find yourself needing extra light, a flash gun is a wise investment.