| Musical Canine Freestyle |
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There are two types, musical freestyle and '''freestyle heeling''' (also known as ''heelwork to music''), the main difference being that freestyle heeling focuses on a dog's ability to stay in variations of the heel position while the handler moves to music, whereas musical freestyle demands that the dog perform a variety of tricks and other obedience talents, and places a greater focus on the trainer's dance abilities and creativity. HISTORY Musical freestyle started in many places almost simultaneously, and though it can safely be placed as beginning around 1989, demonstrations of the talent of heeling to music were shown in , a love of Music , and in many cases, inspiration from an Equine sport called Musical Freestyle , which was a more creative and dynamic form of Dressage . The first musical freestyle group, ''Musical Canine Sports International'', was founded in British Columbia , Canada , in 1991. Soon, other groups in the United States and England followed. Each region began developing its own style, with many American groups promoting more trick-based routines and Costume s, and English groups focusing more on heelwork and the dog and less on costumes and design. Musical freestyle is becoming more frequently demonstrated on animal Talent Show s and as specialty acts as well. Currently, there are several organization regulating competitive freestyle, such as the World Canine Freestyle Organization, Canine Freestyle Federation[http://www.canine-freestyle.org/ and The Musical Dog Sport Association in North America, and Canine Freestyle GB[http://www.caninefreestylegb.com/ and Pawfect K9 Freestyle Club (Japan)[http://www.pawfect.jp/] internationally. COMPETITION Competition rules vary from group to group, and from country to country, but most are based on a variety of technical and artistic merit points. Regardless of the style of routine to be performed, all routines are done free of training aids or leashes (except in some beginner categories). Competition can be done as a single dog-and-handler team, as a pair of dogs and handlers, or as a full team of three or more dogs and their handlers. Generally, for competition, there is one dog to a person. In either type of competition, the choice of music and the way the routine reflects the music is important. Routines that don't seem to follow the pattern of music, no matter how well executed, do not score well. Exhibition freestyle is a no-holds-barred routine designed to demonstrate the full extent of creativity and excitement that musical freestyle can offer. Though highly entertaining and representing what most people see on television or at events, it allows for moves, props, cues, and costumes that would not always be allowed on the competition circuit. Freestyle heeling In heelwork to music, the dog and trainer remain close to each other at all times, and sending the dog away or doing distance work is not part of the routine. The dog should appear almost invisibly tethered to his or her partner, although this is a tether that comes from training and loyalty. Pivots, moving diagonally, backwards, forwards, or back to front are important to the routine, all of course to a suitable musical theme. Jumping, weaving, rolling, passing through the trainer's legs and anything else 'not heeling' is not allowed. Musical freestyle In musical freestyle, heelwork can be combined with other moves such as leg weaving, sending the dog away, moving together at a distance, and more dramatic tricks such as jumps, spins, bows, rolling over, dancing in place, and other innovative actions where the dog plays off of the dance moves of their partner are encouraged. A popular finishing trick for some routines is to have a smaller dog jump into the trainer's arms or over his or her back. Freestyle in the UK In the UK, the sport is called Heelwork To Music and is an officially recognised sport of The Kennel Club . FREESTYLE FOR FUN Handlers do not need to know how to Dance to do canine freestyle with their dogs. Moving together in a simple routine to music puts obedience training into action, provides mental and physical activity for the dog, and gives the dog and human a reason to spend time together. Unlike in standard obedience training, the dog works on both sides of the handler's body. The trainer selects a short musical piece of a minute or two in length that reflects the dog's attitude and pace in doing his moves, and creates a routine starting with one or two simple moves at a time. EXTERNAL LINKS
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