No, emphatically no! But, yes, you may. The CFF Definition of
Freestyle is clear: "All handler movements should complement
and enhance the dog." If you do the jitterbug or an Irish
jig your audience will certainly see you, but your dog has a
far more limited range of movement than a human being. All dogs
do. Your dog cannot do the jitterbug or an Irish jig and his
movement will be overshadowed by the complexity of yours. If
you want to dance yourself you may, but please remember you have
a partner, your dog. Freestyle is a canine sport and a performance
sport and teamwork is essential. Your dog does not have the range
of expression through movement to enhance you but you have a
wide range of options in enhancing your dog. Direct the focus
to your dog through teamwork and artistry and your relationship
with your dog will be palpable.
Dance, as most everyone interprets the word, means performing
a pattern of steps like a jitterbug or a jig, frequently with
upper body, arm and hand motion to further interpret the music
and your mood. Most people are more than comfortable dancing
in a social setting - it is fun, friendly and companionable.
Now ask yourself and your friends if you are willing to do the
same alone in front of an audience. If you are like me your answer
is an emphatic "NO!" Those with a theatrical bent,
who desire and seek out audiences, seem to be a minority among
us. And so, based on the belief that Freestyle requires dancing
in front of an audience, many people have turned their backs
and said, "Not for me!"
I have been doing Freestyle for more than four years now and
in front of a wide range of audiences, but would never have taken
even the first step if I were required to dance. What I do is
share my dog’s movement, beauty, athleticism and training
as interpreted through choreography with music. I share my relationship
with my dog. Fancy footwork on my part would distract from my
dog who is the reason I am out there in the first place. When
I focus on showing my dog off at his/her very best my mental
focus is on my dog and our working together and never on me alone.
That is what enables me to step out in front of an audience and
perform.
We are all fortunate that this vision of Freestyle has been
embodied in the Canine Freestyle Federation, by it’s founders
and its Board of Directors. Three years of careful, deliberate
development and definition have produced a new sport which we
can enjoy and participate in comfortably. If this now sounds
more like a sport which appeals to you I urge you to give CFF
Freestyle a try.
