Dancing with the Dogs
Canine Freestylers set to show off their moves at first-ever Island event, October 19.
Wee Pause for Applause has been having fun performing around town and all over the mid-Island for years now. They can often be seen appearing in local parades and outdoor events, such as the Fall Fair, as well as putting on demonstrations for schools and senior care homes. In addition to appearing locally, they also participate in Canine Freestyle competitions that take place in various places throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“As a group we really enjoy the competitions,” says Gentleman, “but we always have to travel or send our videos in. So recently, during an informal get-together with other Island freestylers, we decided that it was about time to have a competition here on the Island.”
With that thought in mind, the group got together to discuss a location—they decided on the Comox Valley. “We were really proud and happy about, and it will be held at a wonderful venue in the Native Sons Hall,” Gentleman says.
The Island Fling will take place on the afternoon of October 19, with the Vancouver-based group Paws 2 Dance sanctioning the event. The organizers anticipate that this first Island competition will attract participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Alberta and western US.
“In order for the awards that will be won to be credible, we have to be affiliated with an organization that offers titles,” Gentleman says, explaining the choice of Paws 2 Dance as the sponsoring organization. “They gave us some seed money and our judges are coming from them. Ray Underwood was one of the originators of Freestyle in the 1990s, and he will be one of the judges.
“So the entries go through Paws 2 Dance and they will keep a record so that they know who has passed, and the people who achieve a title will get an award through them.”
While different sanctioning organizations have their own particular interpretations of what is needed to achieve certain titles, they are all based upon the relationship between the handler and their dog during the performance of their routine.
The judging of the performance focuses on a number of components, including heeling position of the dog, dog attitude and workability, movement with the music, smooth transitions, a variety of moves and pace as well as coverage of the entire ring area (which is typically 30×60 feet). The handler is also evaluated for their ease of movement and composure in the ring.
Within the competition there are various levels at which the handlers and dogs compete—for example, Junior, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced—so beginners don’t have to compete against more experienced teams. The more advanced the level, the longer the performance and the dogs are expected to participate off-leash. Most levels offer the opportunity for dog and handler to compete individually or as part of a team.
Like many sports that are viewed by the general public, participants must behave with appropriate sportsmanship, and respectful treatment of the dogs is mandatory. Likewise, dogs are expected to be kept under control at all times and should not be aggressive. Dogs also have to be healthy and over the age of six months.
The local people involved in organizing the Fling hope this competition will be just the first of many to be held on the Island, with groups from other areas continuing the event in the coming years. And, of course, they hope the contest will garner more attention for the sport and draw in new members and participants.
Gentleman feels that the more that people know about Freestyle, the more they will see that it is a great sport for people and dogs alike. “People of all ages and abilities are able to enjoy the sport. It is very special to watch a junior out on the floor with their dog, just enjoying themselves. It is amazing how creative young people can be devising new moves that no one else has thought of.
“I’m 74 years old now and hope to be doing this with my dogs for many more years to come,” Gentleman adds, noting that the oldest person she knows practicing Freestyle is in their 80s. “The older person’s movements may not be as graceful or agile as those done by young people in their 20s,” she says, “but we have just as much fun and success.”
And according to Gentleman, it doesn’t matter if you have two left feet—or four left paws. “You don’t have to be a ‘dancer’ to enjoy doing a routine, you just have to be able to move to the music. Freestyle also can accommodate both people and dogs with handicaps. I know of Freestylers who work with their dog from their wheelchair or walker. The dogs really don’t care as long as they are doing things with their person.”
Magi Schoffield-Reid, another member of Wee Paws for Applause, agrees that people and dogs of any age can enjoy the sport. As a choreographer and instructor of Freestyle, she has worked with a broad range of people and she currently coaches a new group called the Island K9 Freestylers, whose ages range from 25 to 60-plus.
“They just started working together last September and we entered our first competition in April and we got first place in Cloverdale,” says Schoffield-Reid proudly. “Right now we are going to be working on a new routine for the upcoming year.”
She is currently holding classes in the upper level of the Cumberland Cultural Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Like many of the participants, her involvement in the sport was a coming together of two of her passions. “I’ve always danced and I’ve taught a lot of dancing, so that is the part that I really enjoy. I like the choreography and making it look like a real dance between the dog and the handler,” she explains. “And I’ve been training my dogs for about 15 years, so it was a combination of the two. Once I saw other people doing it, I decided I could combine the two and have a good time with it.”
And how do the dogs like it? Schoffield-Reid says her five dogs all love it. “The dogs really do enjoy themselves because everywhere we go they get to have fun, have a treat and feel special… so it really is most enjoyable for the dogs, the handlers and the audience.”
Gentleman agrees wholeheartedly. “The dogs really seem to like it. I’ve got two very different kinds of dogs and they both have fun with it. As soon as I turn the music on, my one dog is right at my side and she wants to get started right away. Of course, it’s got a lot to do with the fact that we give a lot of positive reinforcement, pet them and say how good they are.”
And, as she says, it’s amazing what a dog will do for a little piece of cheese.
The Island Fling will be held at the Native Sons Hall on October 19 starting at 1 pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
For more information about the event contact Glenda Gentleman at [email protected].
To find out more about Canine Freestyle classes email Magi Schoffield-Reid at [email protected].