Life in the Fast Lane

If you're new here, you may want to sign up for email alerts or to subscribe to my RSS feed. Enjoy Life in the Fast Lane!

Ever feel like you have two left feet? How would you like to have FOUR? Well such is not the case for Cassie the dancing dog who competes in dog shows.

Holly, a Scottish Terrier, performs with owner Pam Docks.
Photo Kin Man Hui/Express-News

Dog dancing — it’s called canine freestyle, and it’s hot! Canine freestyle is becoming the rage as a feature attraction that’s turning up at some of the country’s top dog shows alongside agility, obedience and conformation.

“Dog dancing provides another chance for owners to bond with their pets.” Okas says, “and the way we see it, anything that promotes bonding is a positive thing.”

The concept behind freestyle is to master about 40 generally accepted movements and mash them together in your own fashion to create a distinctively choreographed routine. It’s challenging for both canines and people — you can’t have two or four left feet. But the top in the game are simply mind-blowing. ‘Dancing With the Stars’ could have some dog-eat-dog competition if these canine cuties ever decided to jump on the same stage.

For the past few months, the local stage has been the Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar County, where Bommer, a member of the San Antonio Dog Training Club, has been teaching a weekly canine-choreography class, reports MySA

“I figured it was time for this city and our dog-training club to get in on the action.” she says. “So, we started teaching the basics and emphasizing teamwork.”

Teams take cues from the Musical Dog Sport Association, a canine-freestyle group based in Houston.

Student skill levels run from ‘outstanding’ to ‘just starting out.’

SuEarl McReynolds and golden retriever Chase are so good that they often help teach the S.A. class, serving as mentors and offering inspiration to others.

Lessons get under way when Bommer shouts “Let’s dance!” The command makes pets and people perk their ears up and pay attention to the pack leader. Some pets are born performers. Others would probably make Fred Astaire wince. But in this class, nobody really cares. Photo Lucidflux

“Enjoying this sport is what counts here.” Bommer emphasizes. “I want everyone in my class to participate and have a good time. But I must say it helps aesthetically if the owners and the dogs are graceful to begin with. They’re the ones who will be the most successful at the sport.”

Any breed, she continues, can succeed. Even Rottweilers and Saint Bernards have been known to excel at the ballet barre, so to speak. Not every pooch, however, is cut out to be the barking version of Baryshnikov. Bommer encourages the best enthusiastically and comforts the clumsy with a personal example — “My Herbie (Cassie’s housemate) is a handsome dog and great at animal-assisted therapy with the Delta Society. But he’s got four left feet when it comes to dancing — and he doesn’t have an ear for music.”

Favorite tunes for doggy twists, sidesteps and pirouettes can be just about anything from Tchaikovsky to rap. Recently, the class has been movin’ to Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Cassie digs Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass — especially if accompanied by string cheese and bologna treats.

Canine freestyle began to take rise in the early 1990s among dog owners seeking additional methods to show off their animals as they strut their stuff. The skill evolved from the musical freestyle event of equine dressage, according to Joan Tennille of the Canine Freestyle Federation. “It expanded the scope of dog training by adding music and choreography.” Tennille says. Photo GinamccaleB

A dog-loving group in Canada contributed to the sport’s early popularity. Tennille founded the Canine Freestyle Federation in 1995. Patie Ventre launched the World Canine Freestyle Organization, which now boasts a membership of more than 1,000, around the same time. Carolyn Scott — whose act with golden retriever Rookie is immortalized on videos — was among the founders of Houston’s Musical Dog Sport Association. Each organization puts its own twist on the sport.

Tennille’s followers focus on the animal’s ability and see the handler as simply the element that turns the act into a harmonious whole. Rules are strict and costumes conservative — no pimping up your dog. “We don’t believe in that Las Vegas look.” Tennille emphasized during a phone interview. “I mean, what are you going to see if the handler comes out in head-to-toe sequins — the person or the dog?”

But Ventre from New York feels fine if the handler wants to add some bling bling. “It’s part of the act, part of the creativity and part of the fun.” she said.

As for the dog, well they can sparkle too, according to Ventre’s rules — but the glitz must only appear on a decorative collar and possibly little ankle bands. Nothing should be encumber some to the animal or detract from the dancing.

Costuming hasn’t been much of a concern with Bommer’s group. In class, it’s simple pants and shirts for the people — dogs wear their own fur coats. Comfort and simplicity count when you’re practicing, the teacher points out. And, no bones about it, conscientious practicing is a must if you want to be good at the sport.

McReynolds and the rescued stray Chase practice for hours — not only dancing but also appearing at flyball demos and doing pet-assisted therapy at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. Dragotta and Jazz are other key players in the Warm Springs program.

“Dogs can work magic.” McReynolds reflects. “I’ve seen it happen at the hospital when they encourage someone with withered limbs to stand, and I’ve seen it happen on the dance floor when the pet and person are communicating and moving in harmony. It’s real teamwork and it’s breathtaking.”

Ventre of the World Canine Freestyle Organization is so impressed by the pet / person teamwork inherent in dog dancing that she’d like to see the sport included in the Olympics. “I’m constantly working toward that goal.” she says, “and I think we’re making some progress.”

Demos and competitions are flourishing across the country. Plans are underway for a freestyle extravaganza in Austin, Texas for August 18-19, hosted by one of Ventre’s 27 organization affiliates, Paws-4-Freestyle Group of Austin. Bommer and her crew plan to attend and show off some truly ace canines.

Dog Dance – Carolyn Scott with Rookie
The famous dancing golden retriever, performing on Good Morning America.

K9 Freestyle Dog Dancing Show
Extracts from the UK display with top trainer Richard Curtis showing
canine freestyle dog dancing and disc dog work.

Massy & Bobby Dog Dancing
Dog dance canine freestyle with 12 year old Massy and his labrador.

Dog Dancing
Quincy Jones “Soul Bossa Nova”

Related stories:
Octopus Octi Performs Bottle Tricks
Chimps Play Computer Games Too
Fainting Goats now HOT Pets

Random Posts

• Scientists Reveal Tyrannosaurus rex Would Outrun Football Player
• David Altmejd – Sculptor and Artist Extraordinaire
• Astonishing Volcanoes that Cause Death and Destruction
• Baby Penguin Finds its Surrogate Sibling in a Toy
• Ancient Stone Age Rock Art Discovered
• Fantastic Frigid and Fragile Sculptures of Snow
• Save Our Whales – Sea Shepherd
• Very Best of the Hubble Telescope
• Magnificent Puffins of North Sea Feared in Critical Decline
• Cop Shoots Jar from Skunks Head – Doesn’t Get Sprayed