Heelwork to Music
Heelwork to Music (HTM) - also known as dog dancing - is an exciting dog sport and a relatively recent competitive activity which is becoming increasingly popular. It came originally from the sport of canine obedience and uses the heelwork elements of that sport. It requires a dog to walk in one of the 8 prescribed heelwork positions and the handler to choreograph that heelwork to a piece of music.It is divided into two categories:
Heelwork to Music
The principal element of the Heelwork to Music category will be the dog working off lead in the heel work position, on the left or right hand side of the handler, facing forward or backward, across the front or back of the handler, moving in any direction, at any pace. The dog's shoulder should be approximately level with, and reasonably close to the handler's leg. All other positions are defined as Freestyle. A minimum of two thirds of the routine should consist of heel work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQnfD9z_98
Corgi demonstrating many different steps and tricks
Corgi demonstrating many different steps and tricks
Freestyle
A Freestyle routine will be the dog working off lead and contain movements in any position. It is made up of a series of moves that interpret the music, its phrasing, rhythm or theme. Heel work as described above is acceptable although such movements must not exceed one third of the routine.
Corgis and Heelwork to Music
By Katha Harboe, Denmark
Corgis (Pembroke and Cardigan) are herding dogs and have been bred for cooperation with their humans. Thus, we see many Corgis doing well in agility, obedience and O-rally competitions and my three Pembroke Corgis have competed in HTM in Denmark. In April 2014, Aja, my first bitch, succeeded in reaching level 3 in Freestyle and was nominated for the Nordic championship in November 2014. Sadly she died of cancer a few months before at the age of 12 years.
My dog Daniel competed in HTM and reached level 2. However, his career ended at the age of only 5 years because of severe HD.
Photo: Peter Christiansen
Katha and Aja managed a 1st place in FS Class 2
Aja and Daniel also competed in the 6+ class (an unofficial class which requires more than 6 legs in the ring, e.g. one handler with 2 dogs or 2 or more teams).
Katha with Disa
My 2.5 year old Disa has competed in HTM level 1 a few times, but her mind is more set for Freestyle (FS) and we are now working on a new program.
Corgis love to work but not for too long at a time. Train only for a short time, then make a break and remember to vary the training. And just when everything works really well - stop. This is the most difficult part for the handler, but the dog remembers the last positive situation and will be eager to work again the next time!
HTM is an exciting sport but also quite demanding. The judge doesn't send you on a fixed course with fixed routines you must create your own program to the music. Three judges will give points for level of difficulty, precision and performance as well as the interpretation of the music and the entertainment value.
For both HTM and Freestyle there are 3 different levels, level 1 being the lowest. Once you have received a certain number of points, you go up to the next level.
In Freestyle you tell a story with tricks, but the idea is not to add trick to trick, but to achieve a flow in the program and let the tricks tell the story. You also have to consider the breed you are working with. Border Collies can do amazing tricks, but if you try them with a Corgi you will not achieve the same result.
Freestyle with Border Collie (somewhat blurred)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsoEfuFNM38
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsoEfuFNM38
The program I'm training with Disa is to the music of The Sting, i.e. a Las Vegas number. I had made a small slot machine she has to operate and this looks both funny and cute. It is this kind of effect I'm trying to achieve with my programs.
Alas, you don't see many Corgis in HTM. Here in northern Europe, I only know of four: 1 Cardigan in Finland and my own 3 Pembrokes.
30.06.2015
