Golden Retriever Fun - Light 'n Free-Style

In competition activities, both the dog and handler are judged on their performance. A sport that focuses on teamwork, it so strengthens the bond between you and your furry companion. And, similar to that of the team sport of agility, you have the ability to encourage your partner to follow along with you. But, it is important to understand that Canine Freestyle is not 'doggie dancing', a term often used by the media to describe the phenomenon. Ann Priddy, MDSA Vice President, speaks to this very issue.

"I'm not a doggie dancer. I'm not much of a dancer of any kind. What I do with my dog is canine freestyle. It is a sport. A sport at which I train and compete and I have a lot of fun doing so. It is a sport where my motivation is to show the world what a wonderful DOG I have and the relationship we share. Its up to me to choose how I want to present the sport to the public. I don't want to do anything that would place the sport in a position of being ridiculed or made fun of.

Canine Freestyle is a tangible illustration of the intangible link between a dog and a handler. It is a link forged through training and built on trust. Through the medium of movement paired with music, Freestyle exemplifies the joy, willingness and teamwork that defines the canine human bond. When these elements come together successfully the results are magical.

I think each organization has its own take on how freestyle should look. Some are more into the handler performing dance type moves. That's great. People can find where they feel comfortable. MDSA is not moving in that direction. MDSA's emphasis is on the dog. I choose to put the the dog in the spotlight. She is the one that should be allowed to shine. Polly will never be an OTCH, she is not some fantastically trained border collie. I am not Gene Kelly of Eleanor Powell.

I am not Doris Humphrey or Martha Graham. I am simply someone that has a dear little dog who gives heart heart and complete trust to me every time we enter the freestyle ring. I never want to her feel 'cold there in my shadow'. I respect her for the special being that she is. I don't want her overshadowed by me or my movements. Its not about me. Its about celebrating the wonderful bond I have with this special creature that has been entrusted to me. I want to present that celebration in a way that is artistic and creative and pleasing to watch. Every choice I make, from music, to movements, from where in the space I perform certain moves to what I wear ... all these choices are made with the goal of showcasing this treasured dog and the special bond and partnership we share. The joy I have received back from her cannot be measured."

This sport, which has its roots in obedience, does require that your dogs have a well-formed obedience background. They need to be able to follow simple commands (sit, stand, down, come), walk on and off lead, and walk on both your right and your left side. Your Goldens must also be able to give you their focused attention. This is critical as you will need to use subtle verbal cues and body language to guide them along. This ties in nicely with the use of the cl

icker for training and the use of positive, motivational toys. To get started, check out the following:

While you may be able to keep a beat, trying to move along with your dog and have both of you in tempo is not an easy task. This is due to the simple fact that you are using two legs and your dog four to make up the same distance. And, it can be a tough task to find that perfect piece of music — one that fits your dog and that he or she likes moving to. We have taken freestyle classes and witnessed the differences in a dog's movement when various pieces of music were played.

There are two major styles or schools that provide competitions for the sport of Canine Freestyle: The Canine Freestyle Federation (CFF) and the World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO). The CFF primarily focuses on the dog and the dog's movements. The WCFO shows greater focus on handler costuming and movement, and seeks a variety in movements from the dog. The newest school to the sport is the Musical Dog Sport Association, Carolyn Scott one of its original founders.

Sharing the Joy with Others
Freestyle can actually have far-reaching utility. We have taken Darcy and Alfie 'on the road' to perform at senior and assisted living homes in Howard County, Maryland. Seniors are very accommodating and never mind you using food cues while working. In fact, they love seeing how you actually teach the moves they are seeing.

MDSA's Spirit of Sharing Program recognizes teams using canine freestyle as part of community service related activities. This includes visits to hospitals & nursing homes; educational demos at schools, libraries, or preschools; performances at humane society fund-raisers; and, other such activities. Enabling folks—from 2 to 92 to experience the bond between dog & handler and to feel their joy—is a wonderful way to brighten the lives of others. To participate in this program, first become a MDSA member. Then, download the Spirit of Sharing log sheet, fill in your visits, and mail the completed sheet to: Jo Monfort, 1170 N Wapak Rd., Lima, OH 45807. Supervisor ignatures or initials are not required, although, you may include them if desired. Certificates and awards are provided for reaching 25, 50, 75 & 100-visit milestones, your team further recognized for this selfless contribution via The Spotlight newsletter. For further information, email Jo Monfort.

Resources to Get you Started & Keep you Going! up
Freestyle is a sport in which feedback is very important. Obviously, it is hard to know how you are coming across to the audience . . . . without one. That is why learning in a class setting is optimal. Hopefully, as interest in the sport grows, more and more instruction will become available. In the meantime, enjoy our comprehensive collection of Freestyle resources, fun video clips, and more!