Sometimes when we listen to music, we can just feel the beat. There’s something about a good tune that makes you want to get on your feet and start to move.
The same can be said about your dog too. Some dogs like to howl along with the music. Others will not seem to notice it at all. With a bit of training, you can get your dog to do canine freestyle.
What is canine freestyle? Why would you even want to train your dog to dance? Today we take a closer look at this doggie dance sensation.
What is Canine Freestyle?
If you haven’t heard of it before, the obvious question to ask would be what is canine freestyle? Canine freestyle is called by a few different names. These names include:
- Musical Freestyle
- Freestyle Dance
- Canine Freestyle
- Musical Canine Freestyle
While there are many different names for this, the essence is the same. Canine freestyle is a type of sport that combines obedience training and tricks into a kind of freeform movement. To put it simpler, it looks like dancing with your dog.
History of Canine Freestyle
Canine freestyle is only a few decades old. Certainly, there were people should dance with their dogs at home. However, it was not formalized until 1989. Interestingly, canine freestyle seemed to pop up in many different places at the same time. It was found in Canada, England, the U.S. and the Netherlands all with a few years of each other.
The first official freestyle group started in 1991. The group’s name was Musical Canine Sports International came from the Canadian British Columbia and led to other groups forming.
Slowly, these groups gained popularity and became common at animal talent shows. Generally, groups from the US focused on tricks and costumes while other international groups would focus more on the heelwork needed to perform tricks.
Why Practice Canine Freestyle?
There are a number of reasons why you might consider training your dog in canine freestyle. Overall, it’s a great activity for both you and your dog. When you can combine your work together, you can both achieve something wonderful.
The main benefits of canine freestyle are:
- It’s an activity you can enjoy with your dog.
- Any size, shape, breed or age dog can learn canine freestyle.
- Canine freestyle can help with behavioral issues like nervousness or hyperactivity by giving your dog an outlet for their energy.
- It’s an activity you can do almost anywhere, so there is no need to seek outdoor space.
You can even learn something new while training your dog in canine freestyle. You can learn:
- Principles of freestyle movement
- Choreography
- More about your dog
- Better focus and training exercises for you and your dog
Simply put, learning to dance is an activity that can keep you physically fit. Combining dance with dog training is a challenge for your body and mind.
How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in getting involved in canine freestyle, the easiest way to get started is to watch some videos. You can find many videos online. Most canine freestyle groups have videos on their website showing masters performing with their dog.
You may also be able to find reference materials at your local library. Speak to a receptionist at your library to see if they have any books or videos on canine freestyle. Your local library is a wonderful resource if you are trying to learn almost anything.
Another way to get involved in canine freestyle is to actually see it in person. Most groups that perform canine freestyle have a calendar of events on their website. Groups like the Canine Freestyle Federation or Rally Freestyle Elements usually post new canine freestyle events on their website. If you find one close to you, it would be a great opportunity to learn more about the sport. Even if there are not any showcase events going on near you, see if there are training events near you. This can be a good chance to meet people who are actively training in canine freestyle.
Is Canine Freestyle for You and Your Dog?
Really, only you can answer that question. Canine freestyle is a great chance to physically and mentally work out with your dog, but it takes a lot of hard work.
Your dog’s ability to follow your commands is the biggest determining factor in canine freestyle. If your dog is a fast learner, they’re already ahead. If you have already worked on obedience and agility training, you two are well on your way to working out some awesome dance routines.
Remember, you and your dog are never too old to learn some new tricks. If you’re interested, give canine freestyle a try.