| At the 2007 Michigan State 4-H Dog Show, 4-H members and adults demonstrated Freestyle Obedience. This was an exciting opportunity for Michigan 4-H dog handlers as it introduced a relatively new form of dog training -- testing both the handler and their canine friend to work together as a dance team. (2007 State 4-H Dog Show Freestyle Demonstration) At their October, 2007, meeting, the Michigan 4-H State Domestic Animal Committee voted to formally recognize freestyle obedience in Michigan. They added freestyle obedience to the State 4-H Dog Show, starting August, 2008. |
| The question is often asked, "What is Freestyle Obedience?" Quite simply, freestyle obedience is a dog and handler performing to music. Take obedience training and add music, choreography, and artistry and you get freestyle. Freestyle was first shown in the movies in 1941 by Eleanor Powell and in 1946 by Gene Kelly. Traditional behaviors include obedience/rally/agility, spins, twists, weaves, crawls, hind-leg work, jumps, side-steps/passes, distance work, circling, etc. Ultimately, if you can train your dog to do it, you can work it into a freestyle routine. Props can also be used in routines - examples are baskets, agility equipment, chairs, tables, swords, and canes. |
| Freestyle has many levels from beginner to advanced. There are two basic categories of freestyle - freestyle and heel. Any behavior that doesn't potentially injure the dog is allowed in freestyle routines. During heel routines, the dog cannot jump or weave and all behaviors must be executed within a 360 degree heeling distance from handler. When choreographed correctly to the right music, a simple novice obedience pattern can look like an amazing routine - On-Leash and Off-Leash. |
| If you'd like to learn freestyle, take the basics of obedience, rally, and agility, and start adding other behaviors. Motivational and/or clicker training work best; short training sessions throughout the day are perfect. Once you begin adding behaviors, start putting them into sequences that flow from one behavior to the next. Then choreograph those behavior sequences to music for a full routine. (Anna Schloff's Basic Moves Guide.) To help train these behaviors, World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO) trainers across Michigan will be offering FREE regional trainings for 4-H Members. If you would like to register for one of these trainings, please complete the registration form highlighted below. Training will also be available at the 2008 4-H Kettunen Center Domestic Animal Conference. Juniors and 4-H Dog Project Leaders can also join a yahoo discussion group to exchange ideas about music, training, costumes, choreography, and competition dates. |
| Where can I use Freestyle Obedience? In addition to 4-H Fairs and Shows, there are several international organizations that offer freestyle titling. You can even compete by video. One international freestyle organization is actively pursuing the inclusion of freestyle obedience as an Olympic team sport - take a look at these teams all over the world: |
| Australia | Belgium | Brazil |
| Czech Republic | France | Germany - Hungarian Folkdance |
| Holland | Italy - Western | Japan |
| Norway | Poland | South Africa |
| United Kingdom | United States |
| Why would I want to train freestyle if I already train obedience and agility? Freestyle training is much more fun that the standard "walk in a circle and L pattern" repetition. Freestyle training also adds to obedience, rally, and agility performance by training the dog to operate on both sides of the handler. These movements develop both the dog's learning ability and muscle coordination. Alternate side training gives dogs an extra advantage in most dog sports competitions. |
| What kind of music should I use? Your first consideration should be to find music that fits your dog's natural gait. Little dogs may pick bouncy music, while large and slow moving dogs might find something that has a slower moving tempo. Be sure to pick music that you enjoy enough that you are willing to listen to it repeatedly. The length of music should be between 1:30 and 2:15 minutes. Juniors and 4-H members MUST use non-offensive music without vulgarity. Examples: |
| Classical | Country | Cultural |
| Disco | Hip Hop | Musical |
| Oldies | Pop | Western |
| I'm not really the 'dance' type, can I still do freestyle? You bet! You don't necessarily have to dance the rumba or waltz to do freestyle. Some of the most amazing freestyle routines are labeled "storytelling". Examples: |
| Charlie Chaplin | James Bond | Surfing |
| Mary Poppins | Circus | Spies |
| Martial Arts | Gladiator | Pirates |
| What if my dog is old or has a handicap? Unlike some physically demanding and stressful dog sports, freestyle is open to older dogs and dogs/handlers with handicap. If you've never seen a handler in a wheelchair dancing with their dog, you are in for the treat of a lifetime. Freestyle focuses on bonding with your dog - that experience is the ultimate goal of any dance team. |
| Is Freestyle limited to one dog/one handler? No. Titles can be achieved in brace, pairs, and even team. These routines take extra skill level for coordination with other human and canine partners. |
| What should I wear? Handlers are encouraged to wear costumes. Dogs are limited to fancy collars and paw cuffs for safety reasons. Juniors and 4-H members must follow the dress code set out by their freestyle titling organization or their State 4-H Committee. |
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| What if people laugh at me? If you're performing a comical routine, you get extra points for audience participation! But seriously, in traditional obedience, everyone knows when your dog errors; but in freestyle, if you handle it correctly, you are the only one who knows that your dog didn't perform accurately. Remember back to the first time your dog did something completely opposite of what they were supposed to do in the training or show ring. Some people may have laughed; others just groaned as they remembered the first time their dog messed up. You took a chance then and continued to train. In every sport, there are times when you'd like to crawl under a mat from embarrassment. Freestyle is no different except that if your routine contains a scoot-crawl behavior, you might get extra points for precision. |
| What are the divisions and rules? The Michigan State 4-H Domestic Animal Committee will be making final division decisions in early 2008. The 4-H Rules will closely pattern those of the World Canine Freestyle Organization Junior Rules. Click here for full rules. |
