Would you consider yourself a good dancer? Do you “step, touch, step, touch” from side to side to the beat? Do you have even the slightest bit of rhythm? Well, the slightest bit is all it takes if your dog does too. You can dance with your dog and even enter dance competitions and compete against other people that dance with their dogs. It has become an actual sport.
The World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO) estimates that 10,000 people worldwide participate in canine freestyle; many of them in the WCFO’s 50 annual competitions.
It is likely that you’ve caught one of these performances on The Late Show with David Letterman or Good Morning America (I have). It is also likely that you think that dancing with your dog is more difficult than it is. Not so. It’s really just tricks and obedience set to music. The best part for the dancing-challenged is that the human partner just needs to be able to walk to the music.
Now, don’t worry that your dog will surely zig when you want him to zag. Should things not go as planned, take advantage of whatever your dog is doing and turn it into a move. You can even give the move a name you make up yourself. Work with the stuff your dog does best.
Dance Lessons to Try at Home
If you’re dying to try it at home, all you really need is a little music and a handful of treats.
The first thing you should do is pick a song and “heel” your pup in time to the music. Pay attention to Fido’s moves. Is he keeping up with the music? Trotting too quickly? You may need to adjust the song to fit your dog’s natural rhythm.
Next, you move on to the dance moves. Lure your dog through each step by holding a treat within an inch or two of his nose. When your dog masters a step, eliminate the treat and lure with the hand motion only. You can reward with treats intermittently until your pooch follows your hand signals consistently. At this point, you can add a verbal cue, such as “weave.”
Here are some popular moves to try:
Spin: Stand still while your dog turns in front or beside you. First lure him through a quarter circle, then a half circle, then an entire revolution. Reward him after each turn.
Weave: Lure your dog through your legs in a figure-eight pattern starting with him in front of you. Coax him around one leg, then reward. Lure him around the other leg, reward and then string the sequence together before rewarding again.
Back Up: Start with your dog standing (not sitting) in front of you. Take a step forward. Riveted to the treat, he’ll back up. Back him up one step at a time, rewarding with a (small) treat after each. Then string a few steps together before rewarding again.
Hurdle: Put your leg against the wall to create a hurdle for your dog to jump. Be mindful of how high your dog can realistically leap. Lead her over the barrier with the food, then reward.
Wildcard: Maybe your dog likes to carry around her favorite ball, or even yodel. If there’s a “move” or behavior your dog excels at, by all means, work it into the routine.
After you’ve mastered two or three steps, try stringing them together. Reward the dog for a job well done after the entire sequence.
So, go ahead, have a hoedown with your hound, a sock hop with spot, disco with Duke. The possibilities are endless.
For more information on canine freestyle, visit www.worldcaninefreestyle.org.
