Introduction to Freestyle
WHAT IS FREESTYLE?
Canine freestyle, also known as musical freestyle, is a newer dog sport that involves a dog and handler team showing off their teamwork through a mixture of heelwork, obedience cues and tricks, all choreographed to music. Basically, it’s a way to dance with your dog!
WHAT DO WE LEARN IN CLASS?
- Core dog handling skills needed to perform a routine
- Heelwork
- Fronts & finishes
- Targeting
- Introduction to “stock moves” such as crawling, backing up, spinning, and leg weaves, etc.
- Introduction to how to develop a routine
- Musical interpretation
- Choreography
- Character development and storytelling
- Preparing for and getting a good performance in competition
- Over the course of the class, you will develop a short (one minute or less) routine. You will get a video of your routine performed at the final class!
What do we need to know before starting class?
Your dog should have completed a basic obedience class and be able to sit, lie down, come when called and be able to focus on you in a class setting. Handlers do not need to have formal obedience training or previous freestyle experience – all the fundamentals will be covered in class. Dogs should be at least 6 months old and be up-to-date on all vaccinations.
How long is the class and what does it cost?
The introductory class is six weeks long, meeting once a week for an hour and costs $150.
What teaching methods do you use?
Class is taught using positive reinforcement techniques, without leash corrections or use of punishment. Dogs will be worked on flat (buckle) collars or martingales (no choke chains or prong collars allowed). As part of the course, clicker training will be explained and used as an aid in training your dog to perform enthusiastically and confidently.
WHO TEACHES THE CLASS?
Shari Heino and Cathy Cobb will be team teaching this class. Shari has been competing in WCFO freestyle for about two years and has put freestyle titles on four dogs so far. She currently has one dog competing in the advanced level and two at the intermediate level. In addition to titles and placements, Shari and her dogs have received many special awards for their creative moves, choreography and musical interpretation at competitions. Cathy is the owner, manager, and lead trainer for Austin Dog Sports. Cathy has been a board member and the Training Advisor for Texas German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue since 2005. After teaching group and private basic obedience and CGC classes, she found her first love in the Rally ring. She currently competes with 2 of her adopted GSPs in AKC Rally and Obedience, tracks for pleasure and trains in freestyle. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
When is the next class and how do I register?
Our next class will start Saturday, May 15th at 9am. Call 512-686-3050 or e-mail trainer@kinetic-canine.com to reserve your space and request registration materials (or download the Introductory Freestyle Registration Packet and mail or e-mail it in). Space is limited so early registration is recommended!
Photo courtesy of Jim Poor Photography
