DANCES WITH DOGS
Have you ever felt like turning up the music and dancing with your dog? Does it make you feel great to have fun with your dog? There is now an official sport that encompasses moves and tricks to music.
Dances with Dogs is a great fun way to train and bond with your dog, whether you are wishing to compete or just to have fun!
What is Dances With Dogs?
Dances with Dogs (DWD) is a relatively new canine sport which became popular in Canada and the UK in the early 1990s. Approved in 2009 as an official sport by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC), dogs can now compete and gain titles to be added to their registered names. However, many people have taken up this sport simply to have fun with their dogs!
Dances With Dogs is a combination of obedience, creativity, focus and teamwork. It gives the impression of a dance with a skilful choreographed routine performed to music.
Routines typically involve the dog performing twists & turns, weaving through the handler’s legs, walking backwards, jumping, and moving in sync with the handler.
Competitions routines are between one and four minutes. Competitors earn points for:
- technical accuracy
- musical interpretation and
- artistic expression
So what appears to be a simple sport is actually a very complex mix of techniques.
Carol and Misty performing Dances With Dogs
But DWD is not just a sport for competitors: many people are finding the joy of doing classes just for fun and fitness with their dogs, and love showing off their moves to family and friends!
If you and your dog can walk together and you enjoy having fun together, then you can do Dances with Dogs.
The aim for each team is to make the routine look flowing, simple and interesting. By choosing the right music that suits your dog’s pace, style and natural rhythm you can create a routine that will wow the spectators.
While the routines move in time to your favourite music, they often also tell a story. The style of dance and music varies greatly from team to team and is only limited by your imagination. Each routine showcases the unique abilities and relationship between handler and dog.
All DWD training is achieved by using positive and motivational methods, and that is why dogs are so happy doing this sport.
DWD is a sport that is suitable for handlers of all ages and abilities. It is also suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages and abilities.
But no matter what your reason for taking up the sport, it is guaranteed that you and your dog will develop your skills and fitness, while creating a fantastic positive training relationship.
Dances with Dogs has two streams:-
Freestyle and Heelwork To Music
Each stream has four separate levels:-
Starters - Novice - Intermediate - Advanced
Freestyle is basically tricks and moves choreographed to a piece of music. Such tricks could include leg weaving, spinning, circling, backing and can be performed with the dog close to the handler or at a distance and the creativity of the performance is only limited by the handler’s imagination. As you progress up through the levels, there is an expectation that more technical tricks and moves will be included in your routine.
Heelwork To Music involves traditional heelwork choreographed to a piece of music. In Heelwork To Music, there are eight different heelwork positions which can be performed in six different directions. As you progress up through the levels, there is an expectation that more of the positions and directions will be included in your routine.
According to Dogs Victoria both freestyle and heelwork are technically challenging. They can draw on skills from both obedience and agility to increase the technical merit of a routine. These can be combined with a repertoire of moves varying from leg weaves and spins to reversing around props and walking backwards on hind legs.
Classes are a lot of fun and create a great bond between you and your dog. If you just wish to attend classes for just the fun of it or aspire to reach competition level, your club can provide assistance and support.
You don’t need to be a dancer and your dog doesn’t need to be an obedience champion, but does need to be able to walk nicely on lead. All you need is your dog, some treats and ready to have fun!
Melbourne & District Dances with Dogs Club Inc is an affiliated Dogs Victoria club.
Sources:
https:/www.australiandoglover.co
https:/dogsvictoria.org.au
https:/melbournedwdclub.com