Hit the dance floor with your dog
The waltz. The tango. The twist. Disco. Line dancing. Do you love to dance? How about your dog?
The World Canine Freestyle Organization defines canine freestyle as a "choreographed musical program performed by handlers and their dogs."
The organization says, "The object of musical freestyle is to display the dog and handler in a creative, innovative and original dance using music and intricate movements to showcase teamwork, artistry, costuming, athleticism and style in interpreting the theme of the music."
Joan Tenille of the Canine Freestyle Federation, an international organization for canine freestyle, describes what to look for in a performance: "Canine Freestyle is a choreographed performance organized with music, illustrating the training and joyful relationship of a dog and handler team.
"Watch for the dog to be moving to the beat of the music, and look for the relationship between the dog and handler. You will see graceful and intricate movements performed with precision and artistry. Every movement is accomplished through the subtle use of verbal cues and body language.
"The emphasis is always on the dog, with the handler completing the team, creating a harmonious whole. In Freestyle, the performance of every team will be different, presented to different music and sharing an intimate view of the working relationship between dog and handler."
The The World Canine Freestyle Organization, Inc., the Canine Freestyle Federation, and Carolyn Roberts, president of the Musical Dog Sport Association, suggest the basics to follow in order to dance with your dog to music.
First, select the music you want to dance to with your dog. Adriene Farricelli, www.dog-trainingsuite101.com, notes you should choose music that suits your dog's personality and energy level. How does your dog respond to the music? Is he wagging his tail? Does he look happy and excited? These are signals he may like it.
The second step is to choreograph a routine to your music, designing movements and steps for your dog and you that relate to your chosen music.
These moves may be basic obedience steps such as sit, down, stay, come, basic obedience heel, changes of pace and turns, dressage movements and any trick or new step you may create. You need to plan these steps and movements within a defined area.
The third step is to choose costumes. Your outfits should match the theme of the music. Don't dress up your dog excessively because it interferes with movement. A simple collar or bandanna will do it.
After following these steps, you and your dog can go to a demonstration or competition. If you decide to compete, you must meet the rules and/or guidelines defined by the governing (musical) canine freestyle organization.
Diane Jones, head of public relations for Dancers with Woofs, a freestyle dance organization, (Fetch Magazine, 02/2010) notes, "Judging in the sport is very much based upon Olympic sports."
Scoring is based on technical merit, including accuracy of movements, precision and execution of the movements, and degree of difficulty. Scoring is also based on artistic impression, including animation of the performers, their connection to their audience, creativity of the choreography and how their costumes relate to the music.
You can learn more about canine freestyle by attending a practice of an area freestyle dance organization or attend classes at a training facility.
I've watched dance teams practice. The connection between partners is amazing to watch. Visit worldcaninefreestyle.org, canine-freestyle.org, and musicaldogsport.org. to see what the sport looks like and if it's a fit for you and your dog.
This last website will link you to a freestyle performance of Carolyn Scott and her dog, Rookie. After viewing this website, go to thebuddyfoundation.org, where you will find dogs who might like to dance, but who would definitely love to be your lifelong companion.
• The Buddy Foundation is at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights. For information, visit thebuddyfoundation.org or call (847) 290-5806.