[Dailydrool] Dancing Dogs

[Elizabeth Lindsey]

Here are a few YouTube videos of dogs dancing. You can find more by  
doing a search on YouTube for "dog freestyle."

When you watch these videos, keep in mind that backwards moves are  
the most difficult for dogs to learn how to do. Initially they're not  
comfortable going backwards and not being able to see where they're  
going. They have to learn to trust their humans not to direct them  
into danger, and we humans have to learn to remember to stop our dogs  
before we back them into a wall or something. When backing away from  
the human, the goal is for the dog to do so in a straight line, no  
veering off on a diagonal from the human. This is a hard thing for a  
dog to learn how to do, too.

By the way, our Elsinore is nowhere near as good as the dogs on these  
videos. These dogs are professionals with a lot of competitive  
experience.

"Carolyn Scott & Rookie," http://www.youtube.com/watch? 
v=HqbVbPvlDoM&NR=1, This one is like the gold standard of freestyle.  
Carolyn Scott was one of our Elsinore's teacher's teachers. Rookie  
died about a year ago or so, I believe of old age. I think this is my  
favorite dog-dancing video because Rookie looks as if he's having a  
blast out there, big grin on his face and everything.


"Gladiator Dog (canine freestyle)," http://www.youtube.com/watch? 
v=crmD_B8ERzk&NR=1, This one has a gladiator theme, and I think the  
choreography is incredibly clever.


"France canine freestyle," http://www.youtube.com/watch? 
v=Nca5jE2T_dE&NR=1, This one has a Russian folk dance theme.

Elizabeth

> I have never seen dogs dancing -- please please PLEASE get someone  
> to make a
> video so you can post it.  Really would love to see this.