Golden Retriever Training: Jun 28, Canine Freestyle -- Dancing With Dogs

Dancing Golden Retriever The exciting new dog sport of canine freestyle was originally an offshoot of obedience training.

It combines obedience and trick training with music, costumes and props to create a spectacular performance by a dog and his handler.

This fun sport encourages originality and creativity, and has tremendous audience appeal.

Also known as musical freestyle, doggie dancing and freestyle dance, it's quickly gaining popularity around the world.

There are basically two types -- freestyle heeling (also known as heelwork to music) and musical freestyle.

In heelwork to music, the emphasis is on precision and accuracy, focusing on a dog's ability to stay in variations of the heel position while his handler moves to the music.

Dancing Golden Retriever Musical freestyle is more flamboyant and creative.

Basically, any move is allowed unless it puts the dog or handler in danger.

Dance routines typically involve the dog performing twists and turns, weaving through the handler's legs, rolling over, walking backwards, spinning and jumping.

All the while, he's moving in perfect sync with his handler.

The possibilities are limited only by the handler's imagination.

Appropriate recorded music accompanies the routine, and every movement is accomplished through the handler's subtle use of verbal cues and body language.

The teamwork and bonding that occurs during training is really spectacular since it all focuses on positive rewards and learning how to understand and effectively communicate with your dog.

Even if you don't plan to compete, there are definite benefits for both you and your dog:

It's great exercise for both of you. It's a fun way to practice obedience training. It's a great activity for dogs that are still too young for agility training. For older dogs, it's a great way to help maintain strength and flexibility. It's a good excuse to teach your dog some fun, crowd-pleasing tricks.It keeps dogs mentally stimulated and interested in learning. It's a chance to have some one-on-one fun with your dog. You can add it to your list of awesome family activities to attend. It's a great place to build friendships with other dog lovers who enjoy the sport. It enhances performance in other dog sports like agility, flyball and competitive obedience. When your dog needs to retire from the faster-paced sports, freestyle is a perfect way for him to keep physically and mentally in shape at a less demanding pace.

Many freestyle teams use their programs to entertain at nursing homes (often as an extension of therapy dog work), schools, and at community events.

The lively performances bring smiles to the faces of the elderly and introduce children to a new way to have fun with their dogs. The demonstrations also help educate the public on the joy and benefits of positive dog training methods.

Competition rules vary from group to group, and from country to country, but most are based on a variety of technical and artistic merit points.

Canine Freestyle Routine All dance routines are done free of training aids or leashes.

They can last anywhere from two to six minutes.

Competitors can usually perform any music they choose, as long as it falls within the time frames given.

There are even video competitions for those who want to compete for titles but can't get to a live competition.

There are currently several organizations regulating competitive freestyle.

The main ones are the World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO) and the Canine Freestyle Federation (CFF) in North America.

In the UK, the sport is called heelwork to music and is an officially recognized sport of the Kennel Club.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not yet recognize it as an official dog sport.

There have certainly been trained "dancing dogs" in the past.

But musical freestyle as a sport began in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

By the 2000s, competitions were being held in both North America and Europe.

The sport has really gained popularity in recent years thanks to video sites and demonstrations on TV shows and animal talent shows.

The first international competition took place in November 1996 in Oregon.

Twenty entries from the US and Canada performed to a standing-room-only crowd of over 650, with hundreds being turned away.

Carolyn Scott (from Texas) and her Golden Retriever "Rookie" took first place. (They're pictured above and below.)

Carolyn & Rookie They went on to make countless appearances on TV and at special events over the next 12 years.

A pioneer in the musical canine freestyle movement, Carolyn refined and lengthened the standard obedience moves.

Then she added non-standard moves that she called "flash moves."

As Carolyn put it, "Freestyle is obedience with attitude."

She chose music that matched Rookie's natural movement, along with his personality, using mostly rock and roll or country music.

Rookie had a natural talent and flair for freestyle.

He became famous as "the dancing Golden Retriever."

Rookie was very friendly and outgoing, and a wonderful showman. He passed away in July 2008 at the age of 15.

Your dog doesn't have to be trained in advanced dog obedience skills to begin freestyle training. If he knows the basics (sit, down, stay, come) and is friendly with other dogs and people, that's all he needs to get started.

Most canine freestyle groups (plus both national titling organizations) welcome all breeds as well as mixed breed dogs -- and most dogs love it!

No dog is too big or too small, as each routine is tailored to the personality, abilities and strengths of the dog.

Even handlers in wheelchairs and dogs who have physical limitations are encouraged to participate, developing moves and routines that work for them.

One of the many fun aspects of this sport is that you design routines to suit you and your dog.

Handlers don't even have to know how to dance!

Since you pick your own music and moves, your routine can be as active and intricate or as laid-back and simple as you wish.

So take a look at some Internet videos of canine freestyle demonstrations, attend local performances, find a club in your area, and put on your dancing shoes.

You and your dog will have a blast!