HEELWORK TO MUSIC- Dance with your Dog

HEELWORK TO MUSIC

Dance With Your Dog

Ann DeRizzio explains how

I have been dancing with my dogs for many years, although I only entered my first competition in 1999.

Those who used to train with me in London may well remember the Christmas Party we had in the very early 90’s where we all danced - well some did, others were a little shy. I can still remember the laughter and the fun.

That’s just it you see, HTM (heelwork to music) is fun. Sometimes training classes can be a little boring can’t they? With the same thing happening most weeks, recalls, heelwork, retrieves etc etc.

When you incorporate the music element to heelwork, suddenly things become fun and interesting. You only have to look around the class and watch others tapping their toes and humming to the tunes to see that this type of training is going to catch on fast.

The element of fun makes it more interesting for the dog too. The variety and the different walking paces mean that the dog has to stay alert and not go into the automatic zone.

Because you are having fun, enjoying yourself that immediately goes down the lead/leg to the dog and I have yet to see a dog doing HTM that is not in someway motivated and enjoying itself.

Let me examine some of the requirements to run a HTM or Dancing with Dogs class.

Requirements of the Venue

You can dance with your dog virtually anywhere. I have run classes in a hall, on the beach, in a car park and on grass.

Obviously the venue needs to be safe as flooring can be a problem. The floors I use in both my training Halls are wooden. One is very shiny but we have never had a problem. We do not do any jumping with the dogs and the flooring actually helps the teams to flow to the music. Naturally, everyone wears a trainer style shoe and this again prevents slipping.

A car park is ideal because it gives you lots of space to move, but beware the audience. I train in a car park by my local beach. I usually attract some tourists, and recently I was in a supermarket when this elderly lady came up to me and asked if I was the woman who danced with my dogs. A little taken aback I told her yes. She then informed me that she and others were watching from the block of sheltered housing flats opposite, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She did not ask for an autograph but you never know - next time!

In a hall, you actually do not need lots of space. I do some group work to music where I become a caller calling out moves for the handlers to attempt. I allocate individual time to handlers, where they can either use their own music or try to interpret something I put on.

Time constraints

I hold three classes on a Friday evening; two are purely pet training classes. But in both I have added some HTM elements. We use music to get handlers walking at differing paces, this helps stop handlers trying to catch up with their dogs.

I use music to break down barriers, and in my second class, which is primarily an adult dog class, we have a ball. The handlers never know what I will put on and I have people of all ages from early twenties to pensioners moving to ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ by Queen, or recently a CD by Madonna or one by my favourite Will Smith.

Likewise I sometimes use classical music as it usually has lots of musical change, this lets them vary pace. In an hour session we can usually get through a variety of 'obedience' exercises, various fun and control elements and some musical ones.

My third class was an obedience competition class but is now a HTM class. The handlers enjoy doing obedience exercises but they are a secondary part of the training. Every week we will dance with our dogs.

This can involve some group work, but also individual training. Remember that a CD track is usually between three and four minutes. I try to give handlers at least two minutes individual dance time where the floor is theirs and theirs alone. Again, this depends on numbers. This is not a large class so usually most people get more than 2 minutes individual work. They also do lots of group training for the elements.

Group work on twizzles, going through legs, walking backwards etc. These group sessions allow you to cover a lot of ground with everyone at the same time.

Equipment

CD Player: this is where you will have to decide how much you wish to spend. You will need a good CD/Tape player. I recently spend a lot of money on a portable only to get it ruined by taking it on the beach and getting sand into it. I learnt my lesson (I now put it in a holdall).

Yes, you can start off using a cheaper player but you need one with a good wattage so that the sound will travel the whole of the hall or if you are outside that the sound will not be taken away with the wind.

However, CD players have come down in price and the purchase of one for a class is tax deductible.

Music, music music – yes you will need it. I am a woman of the eighties and love dance music but although I have lots of it, I also have music from EVERY genre. I have expanded my music library from around 10 CDs to well over 100, but that’s me - an extremist. A few good compilation CDs are all you need to start with. Your collection will grow with time.

Videos: these are essential, why? Because they give you many training ideas and hopefully will let you see the fun people have dancing with their dogs. Competition videos and training videos are a good purchase.

Books: there are now at least two HTM books on the market and these will again help you with ideas.

Courses: I would recommend you attend any course on the subject – again for ideas, guidance and above all fun.

Treats and Training Aids: HTM has to be a positive motivational sport, it's happy dogs and happy owner. The use of negative training methods will not work with this sport. Lots of treats; clicker training is ideal. The use of a ball or a toy to teach the dogs to go through legs or walk backwards etc. Your imagination is also an important training aid, but do not get carried away – you are not Fred Astaire and your dog is not Lassie.

An important requirement in running a HTM class is the ability to laugh at yourself. A good trainer will not be just calling the moves or sitting on the sidelines. A good trainer will be jumping in with the handlers, singing to songs, offering guidance and demonstrating moves and routines. I often work my dogs to illustrate a move.

Finally, the other important requirement is good group dynamics and the appreciation of others' work. Clapping and cheering good moves, appreciation of others' routines and the ability to take on board suggestions and give them. A good HTM class is run like a cooperative with everyone able to offer something. It is after all a spectator sport.

Ann runs the Dancing with Dogs Internet email group.Why not join her and others for news on HTM?

Ann also runs various HTM courses throughout the year. Email her for details.

No material on this website may be copied or published elsewhere without permission.