I'm sure you all saw this, but I think this is absolutely spectacular. And I admit to having a soft spot for this lovely Border Collie. There's a thread about training "backwards"... there's a spot in here where the dog does a long backward sequence where she's not even looking at the owner...and all those backward weaves...yeesh. Fantastic!! http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entert...ocks-acdc-highway-7545211#fjUSw6dyZ8UXXqXL.97
I don't "get" heelwork to music. I mean, I can see the technical challenge, and they look like they're having fun, but I just don't get it!
Oh I love that, if only I could teach Mabel. She looks disgusted at me when I'm dancing round the kitchen often retiring to her crate, so no chance there.
I think it looks like fun! I kinda like the Rock and roll take on it, so many of these are frou-frou ballet routines.
I love this routine, so clever and fun. Dogs doing heelwork to music freestyle nearly always look as if they're enjoying themselves. I think it must be that close relationship with their owner and all that mental engagement.
I quite like watching heelwork to music, and I do admire the training that's gone into it. I worry a bit about how good it is for the dog though. Some of the movements seem unnatural, and the hours of training that they must have to do means they are holding those positions for a very long time. Kay Lawrence does heelwork to music and talks a lot in her books about being careful about how the exercises are trained to be ok for the dog - it's more complicated than I think I would enjoy studying. It's always Border Collies isn't it? Charlie would be hopeless, I reckon - he is not cut out for that, I think!
Yes, there is definitely an aspect of realizing that even if a dog can and will do something, it's not necessarily something he should do. But I agree, there's no doubt this dog is having fun, and that's what I enjoy. A great team-building activity between dog and owner. And yes, @JulieT thr Border Collies seem to be the stars in this...other little dogs like smaller poodles also seem to be dancing partners too...although if anyone has seen a Lab doing it I would love to watch that too!
Just for fun, here's a kikopup video on how to train the pivot. A good thing to try just for fun on those rainy, cold days. Might have to give this a go and see how we do.
