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Classes are held at the Durham Kennel Club (DKC) training building on Guess Road. This facility is fully matted with 3/4-inch rubber matting and climate controlled. If you need directions to the DKC building, please see the DKC website.
The purpose of these sessions are to introduce participants to the sport of canine musical freestyle and provide them with the tools needed to develop routines for exhibition or competition. The fundamentals taught will be suitable for all styles of freestyle. The instructors train for Canine Freestyle Federation (CFF) competition, which is based on obedience: the rhythm of the music matches the rhythm of the dog at a trot, and the routine is choreographed to showcase teamwork and the dog-handler partnership; the handler does not wear a costume and does not "dance."
Prerequisite. At a minimum, dogs must walk with attention on the handler and sit (or stand still) on cue. Rally is not a required prerequisite; however, a dog-handler team that is ready for novice rally competition has all the basics needed to perform entry-level freestyle routines.
Class format. Each session lasts approximately 1.5 hours and is structured around the specific needs of the participants attending that day. Participants who are developing routines will have the opportunity to run through the routine and get feedback. Participants who need help with music selection will receive that help. Scroll down for a description of topics that may be covered. Preregistration is required -- each session is limited to 8 people.
All training will use positive motivation techniques. The goal is that you and your dog will have tons of fun, and it will show in how your dog works.
Please bring a very generous supply (at least 1 to 2 cups) of high-value treats. Training will progess the most smoothly if the treats are cut up -- the size of a green pea works for most dogs. A variety of different treats is recommended. (Or bring some favorite toys if your dog absolutely refuses treats). Each treat should be small (about 1/4-inch cubes are ideal for most dogs). Suggestions are
- Deli turkey -- sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut in small cubes
- Hot dogs -- cut in fourths lengthwise, then slice thinly (you can get 80 treats from one hot dog this way)
- Baby food meat sticks -- for those who want to avoid preservatives
- Beef heart -- slice 1/4 inch thick and boil in garlic water, then dry in a warm oven and cut in small cubes
- Steak or London broil -- cut in small cubes
- Stick cheese -- cut the same way as a hot dog
Fee is $10 per session, payable to Durham Kennel Club. (Exact change or checks will be greatly appreciated.)
Schedule. Classes are held on the weekends on an irregular schedule, an average of twice monthly. See the calendar on the DKC website for specific dates.
Each class will be followed by an open work session (about 1 hour) to work on routines, during which participants can practice routines, sequences, and moves they are developing with their dogs and receive feedback from the instructors and other participants. Those who attend the 1 pm freestyle class may stay for these sessions for no additional fee. Participants who do not attend the 1 pm freestyle class are welcome to attend, for a $10 fee. Because space is limited, preregistration is required.
Contact Adele to preregister, e-mail preferred, whippets at nc.rr.com (replace "at" with the symbol and close up the spaces), or phone 1.919.596.0613 (leave message), with the following information:
- Date(s)
- Your name
- Your dog's name and breed
- A brief statement about your dog's prior training experience (the first time you preregister for a session)
Choreography forms. These forms were designed to help you choreograph your routine and plan your movement through the performance space. The proportion of the boxes on the forms corresponds to the 40-foot x 50-foot space of a CFF floor. Asterisks indicate the center of each side of the space. Download these files to your computer, then use Acrobat Reader to open them. To download, right click on the link, choose Save Target As (or similar option, for example, Save Link As), and save the form on your computer. (If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click here to download it for free.)
- Portrait, 8 boxes per page
- Portrait, 4 boxes with lines for notes
- Landscape, 6 boxes with lines for notes
Instructor Shari Bryant started training for AKC obedience in the 1970s and has earned a high in trial at a sheltie specialty. Shari switched to clicker training in the 1990s, and for the last 10+ years, her primary interest has been freestyle. For more than 5 years, Shari has focused Canine Freestyle Federation (CFF) freestyle, which is based on precision heeling and close teamwork with the dog. She has earned CFF titles through Level 3 and is currently exhibiting her whippet in Level 4 (the highest level) competition.
Topics
Choreography
The freestyle space has strong areas and weak areas. Learn where these areas are located and how to make your canine partner appear at his or her best in the freestyle space. Also, learn how movement through the space has a different impact depending on whether you are moving toward, away from, parallel to, or at a diagonal to your audience. Some exercises that will be used to demonstrate this include the rally exercise serpentine weave, the novice recall, and heeling.
Transitions
A freestyle routine often contains a series of technical movements (e.g., weave or spin) performed in a small area of the presentation area (e.g., the back right corner). Then, another series of movements may be performed in a different area (e.g., the front left corner). The movement used to get from one corner to the other is a transition. The transition could be accomplished by heeling your dog from one corner to the other. Or, it could be enhanced to make the transition a creative and artistic movement by itself. We will explore different ways to create interesting transitions.
Music Selection
Music is an integral part of a freestyle routine. This topic allows each handler to explore various types of music with their dog. The instructors will have some music, but each participant is encouraged to bring music that they enjoy listening to. Bring the music on CD or an IPOD with a cord to attach to a CD.
Freestyle Moves and Enhancing Your Canine Partner
Since each dog has a unique structure, movement, and athletic ability, we will investigate some simple techniques for making your canine partner look his or her best when doing different freestyle moves. Some exercises that will be used to demonstrate this include the rally exercises serpentine weave and 360 left/right.
Sequences (aka Phrases)
Phrases are combinations of movement performed to a musical phrase (for example, heel > come-fore > sit > finish to heel position, performed to music). Although the method used for developing phrases varies with each freestyle organization, some common elements or skills are used to develop phrase for any freestyle routine. The foundations class uses structured exercises to guide each participant in learning how to develop a phrase and to start thinking creatively.
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