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As most “freestylers” will attest, freestyle is the sport
where you can have the most fun with your dog. It
involves training
behaviors, setting them to music and "dancing" with your dog. Freestyle
displays true team spirit between dog and handler, requiring bonding and creativity.
The result is a performance where dog and handler display a union of music, training,
theatricality and joy.
The process involves development of behaviors through totally positive training
methods. Often, the dogs provide their own ideas about how a behavior can be
done, making the process truly collaborative. Once several simple behaviors are
learned, the search for music begins. Ideally, the music will suit the personality
of the team, show off the dog's behaviors and allow the handler to do their best "moving" with
the beat. Professional dance steps are not required, nor are specific behaviors
by the dog. The theme of the music or your own creativity sets the tone of the
costuming for the human part of the team, as the dogs are only allowed to wear
a decorative collar and/or "cuffs" on their legs to avoid injury (not
appropriate for hairy Kerry legs!). Some teams follow the lyrics of the song
or the style of the music, like salsa, country or show tunes. Others, develop
their own "story" based on their view of the song. One “freestyler” does
a routine to, "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" as a bag lady
who finds a "stray" dog. As you can see, the sky's the limit on what
you can do.
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While many “freestylers” prefer only to demo the sport at venues
like pet expos, nursing homes, block parties, 4H groups, etc., there are
organizations that offer freestyle titles at titling competitions. The
organizations include
the World Canine Freestyle Organization in New York, the Musical
Dog Sport Associationin Texas and the Canine Freestyle Federation in
Virginia. While each organization has developed their own rules and emphasize
different aspects of the sport, they all focus on the bonding and creativity
formed out of this unusual activity. Freestyle can be enjoyed by all ages of
dog or handler. All breeds (including mixes) and all levels of ability may participate.
WCFO holds competitive classes for juniors (children 16 and under), seniors (dogs
over 9, and/or handlers over
65), “handi-dandi” (physically challenged dogs and/or handlers),
singles (one dog, one handler), pairs (two dogs, two handlers), teams (an equal
number of dogs and handlers, over two) in multiple divisions based on prior titles.
There is also an “Innovation” category for anything that doesn't
fit in the above categories.
There are two divisions for each category: Musical Freestyle ,
which emphasizes artistic moves both close to the handler and at a distance,
and Heelwork To Music , which restricts the behaviors to within 4 feet of the
handler with emphasis on positioning relative to the handler. Video competition
is available for those not able to attend specific competitions, and many people
both in the United States and abroad have gotten titles via this method. Rules
and scoring are specifically
defined within each organization’s guidelines. In short, there is something
in freestyle for everyone. For more information on this fun sport, you can visit
worldcaninefreestyle.org, musicaldogsport.org, or canine-freestyle.org.
As a member of our local freestyle club, the Dog House Dancers and
the World
Canine Freestyle Organization, my Kerry, Gaylic-Saxony I Am I Said (Ch.
Primrose
Takes Two To Tango x Gaylic-Saxony Mil Un Dolr Baby), "Hummie", is
the only Kerry in the world to hold a WCFO freestyle title, and he holds TWO:
W-FD, HTM and MF. As you can see from the picture, our theme was Mexican, as
we competed to Tijuana Taxi , by Herb Alpert. He will be competing in
proficiency testing at the National competition in Reading, PA this December
and in further
titling competitions next spring.
The freestyle websites publish upcoming demos and competitions. Please take some
time to come, watch and get involved in a sport that is for everyone , both "dancers" and
their audience. Local clubs along with the national organizations hold seminars,
fun days, matches and competitions for beginners through advanced, and there
isn't a more supportive group of people in the world! So, put on your dancin'
shoes, grab your favorite music and your canine partner and come dance with us!
If you have any questions, you can contact me, Gay
Stahley, by just clicking on my name.
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