|
|
           
|
Click On The Dog Above For Printable Version What do you get when you take a dog and a handler and throw in some music? Canine Freestyle! In the hot new sport of Canine Freestyle - training, teamwork, music, and creativity all combine to create a unique performance illustrating the relationship between the dog and handler. Although freestyle is based on traditional obedience elements such as heeling and focus, it also adds additional athletic moves such as spins, weaves, and jumps.
Just like obedience, or any other dog sport, solid training is the key to creating a winning routine. Even though there are no "required" moves in freestyle, some moves - such as spins and weaves - seem to be standard in many freestyle routines. Other popular moves include paw kicks, moves where the dog goes backwards, and having the dog jump over the handler’s arms or legs. Additional moves are often created from behaviors a dog offers naturally, like "beg" or "roll over".
It is also important to be selective about the skills included in your routine. Even though your dog may know 20 different skills, it is not necessary to include them all in the same routine. It is perfectly possible to create a solid beginning routine with as little as 6-8 skills. The important thing is to select skills that your dog will do well. A routine with only a half dozen solid skills placed well within the routine will often look better than a routine with a dozen skills that are only so-so or are just thrown in randomly.
Even though a handler may be tempted to simply pick his or her favorite song, it may not always be the best choice. If the music’s tempo is too slow, the dog may look bored. On the other hand, if the music is too quick or too overpowering, it may dominate the performance and the execution of skills and/or the personality of the team may be lost. Finding the perfect piece of music can be one of the most difficult elements of freestyle – but at the same time, it can be one of the most fun. One of the common misconceptions about freestyle is that you have to dance. The truth is that probably about 95% of all freestylers have not had any dance experience. While it may take a little practice, freestyle routines are designed to give the illusion of dance by having the handler and dog move in rhythm to the music with the elements performed by the dog placed at certain points in the routine to highlight the musical aspect of the performance. This "illusion" can be enhanced by something as simple as having the handler adopt the feel of the music. For example, thumbs hooked in belt loops with a swagger step to country music, or a quick skip step to a swing song. Costumes can also help to convey the music’s feel and when combined with the appropriate "attitude" can appear as a dance even though there is not a single formal dance step anywhere in the routine.
Freestyle performances can be created in several different styles. "Freestyle" is generally a rhythmic routine where the dog and handler interact together to create a dynamic routine. "Theatrical" routines often present a theme with the dog and handler each playing a character and may include more dramatic costumes and props. Another popular style is "Heelwork". Heelwork routines draw upon the elements more commonly associated with traditional obedience work. In heelwork routines, the dog and handler usually move together to create the illusion of one team, rather than two partners.
The most important thing a team can accomplish in freestyle is to have fun – whether just practicing in your living room, performing for a school or nursing home, or entering a competition. Freestyle is a great activity for any dog... How To Get Started In Freestyle....
Author: Kris Hurley
Click Here For More Fun Freestyle Links!
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Freestyle is already found in a variety of venues.
Competitions are becoming more and more popular with the majority of events
being offered in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Freestyle is also becoming popular in other countries such as Denmark,
Japan, South Africa, and Australia. As the sport gains popularity, freestyle
is now being featured on several television shows such as Animal Planet's
new series "Pet Star". And while competition is always exciting, many teams
use their freestyle routines as part of their therapy dog visits –
entertaining old and young alike. 
Although it may be tempting to copy the cool moves seen
in other routines, not all moves work well for all dogs. It’s very important
to select moves that are comfortable for the team to perform and that will
highlight their abilities. For example, paw kicks on a very small dog may
not be able to be seen by the audience or judges. Or for a team that pairs a
large dog and short handler, leg weaves may be difficult and look awkward.
Because of this, freestyle encourages teams to use moves that work best for
the individual team or to create original moves. These original or
"signature" moves often make a lasting impression on audiences and judges
alike.
In
freestyle, music is the element that blends together the training,
personality, and relationship of the team. The music used for freestyle
routines is a varied as the teams themselves - from country, to pop, to
opera, to swing and everything in between. Unfortunately, selecting music
may not be as easy as popping in a popular CD. Freestyle is an artistic and
creative outlet, and the music should be selected to match the dog’s natural
rhythm and personality. 
While costumes and choreography can be fun and can help
set the tone for a routine, they should always be appropriate and balanced.
Just as music can overpower a team, a handler that is over-zealous in their
choreography or costuming can also leave a routine unbalanced. When creating
choreography or selecting a costume, it is important to keep in mind that
the dog should still be the focus of the routine. Think about when you watch
ballroom dancing or pairs ice skating – it is very common for an audience to
focus on the female partner. The man in the routine provides the foundation
and support. This should be the balance you strive for with your freestyle
routine – each partner working together, but highlighting your dog’s skills.
The dog is the picture you want to showcase, and the handler is the frame
that holds it all together. 
One
of the most common questions about freestyle is – what do I need to get
started? Obviously, the answer is the first thing you need is a dog. The
second thing you will need is a good, positive relationship with your dog
and the desire to have fun… One of the great things about freestyle is the
fact that it is a very flexible sport. No particular age, breed or size of
dog seems to have an advantage. Since freestyle routines are choreographed
to illustrate the strengths of the individual team, dogs of all breeds and
sizes – from purebred to mixed breed and from Chihuahuas to Newfoundlands –
have been able to achieve success in the freestyle ring. Freestyle is also a
great activity for senior dogs looking for an activity to keep them young,
or for younger dogs as a fun supplement other training such as obedience or
agility.
