Heelwork to Music
What is Heelwork to Music?
Heelwork To Music (HTM) is classed as one of the most exciting innovations in the world of dog training. As you can probably tell from the title, each competitor has to design a dance routine to suit a piece of music of their choice. The music can be up to four minutes long and the dog taking part with you will make movements according to your command. Movements of the dog and handler are usually in time with the beat of the music. This is a fairly new dog-training concept and has gained many supporters. It is totally different to any of the other dog training disciplines. It combines the emotion and power of the music with the beauty of the dog competing showing how versatile dogs can be. This makes Heelwork To Music very much a spectator sport.
What Dogs Can Compete?
Any dog can compete in HTM. The handler and the dog may need to be physically fit to do some of the more demanding moves.
What Training Do I Need?
HTM requires many dog-training skills. The people that take part in HTM have usually got a past in some other dog training. To do HTM it would be advantageous to have done obedience at a lower level. This isn’t required of you to compete, but it would help for the control that is need to do HTM. When watching handlers in HTM there training backgrounds can be seen.
How is it Judged?
Competitors carry out a variety of different moves that the dog has been taught to perform. Competitors will be allocated a maximum of 10 marks over 4 sections. How accurately you perform the moves and go from one move to another will affect your score.
A panel of judges are used, which although the amount isn’t defined, it is normally four. The judging is subjective, therefore the marks that each judge awards are averaged for the four sections.
What Classes are There?
There are two official categories and two additional categories.
Official Category’s
1) Heelwork to Music. The dog works of lead on the left or the right side of the handler or other close positions. Heelwork (around 60%) is the substantial part of the routine requiring the dog to keep his shoulder reasonably close to the knee of the handler and move at a suitable pace. Additional movements (around 40%) should be included linking from the heelwork.
2) Freestyle. This routine will contain movements in any position. Minimal heelwork is acceptable.
Additional Categories
1) Musical Dressage. This routine consists of dressage moves in the heel or heel free position. Dressage moves is movement of the dog in a continuous natural rhythmic movement reflecting the time of the music at any pace.
2) Dances with Dogs. This routine must be recognisable as a dance on the part of the handler. The dog’s moves may be dressage, freestyle or a combination.
What Levels are there?
There are four levels in HTM.
1) Starters. This is for dogs that haven’t gained a third place or above in an official class at a licensed HTM competition.
2) Novice. This is open to all dogs and handlers that aren’t eligible for intermediate or advanced.
3) Intermediate. This is open to dogs that have won a first prize in novice class but aren’t eligible for advanced.
4) Advanced. This is for all the dogs that have won intermediate.
Rules and Regulations and Contacts
Up to date copies of the rules for the UK are available from the Kennel Club as are contact details.
