Beginners guide to…

Get started today! Check out www.findadogclub.org.uk for local clubs in your area

Take a peek at www.ykc.org.uk/eventcalendar for YKC events near you

Heelwork to Music

WHY SHOULD YOU DO HTM?

• Meet new friends – there is a great social scene to be enjoyed.

• Wow all your friends and family with your dog’s new talent – “HTM”, as it is known, has even been a great success on talent shows.

• Discover your creative side by creating exciting choreographed routines for you and your dog.

• Your dog will love the chance to learn new skills and moves.

• You do not have to be musically talented to be able to do Heelwork to Music – anyone can do it.

Could your dog be a star?

WHAT IS HEELWORK TO MUSIC? If you want to compete in Heelwork to Music (HTM) you’ll have to put on your dancing shoes! Competitors devise routines of up to four minutes, put them to music, and perform the routines with their dog. There are two types of HTM competition; 1) Heelwork to Music: where most of the routine must be Heelwork and the rest can be as you wish 2) Freestyle: the whole routine is completely up to you!

HTM needs lots dog training skills. Competitors are judged over three sections; -Content and Flow -Accuracy and Team Performance -Musical Interpretation There are a maximum of 10 marks up for grabs in each section.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW • Your dog has to be registered with the

Kennel Club on the Breed Register or the Activity Register.

• Competitors taking part in any Kennel Club licensed event must familiarise them-selves with the Kennel Club Rules and Regulations beforehand.

• Dogs can start competing in Heel-work to Music from 12 months and Freestyle from18 months of age.

• Check out the YKC - Competing section to stay up to date with any special YKC rules

HANDLING YOUR DOG Going to your first HTM show might cause your dog to behave a little differently to usual. Young dogs in particular can get really worked up by crowds or new places, if they do, don’t panic, just move a little way from other competitors and officials to give them some space. Just remember it is a new experience for you and your

dog and if you are worried there are always Stewards or Officials you can speak to.

CLUBS all over the UK

Suitable for both and PEDIGREE CROSSBREED DOGS

Beginners guide to…

Get started today! Check out www.findadogclub.org.uk for local clubs in your area

Take a peek at www.ykc.org.uk/eventcalendar for YKC events near you

Heelwork to Music

IS HTM FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

DANCING YOUR ROUT INE: TOP T IPS

Accuracy and Team Performance This will test how smoothly your dog moves and how

promptly it acknowledges the cues which are given. You might lose marks if you have to keep telling

the dog to do something.

Musical interpretation Have you and your dog produced a flowing dance routine? Does your routine fit the music (tip: if you pick a flowing and relaxing song, don’t put spikey fast actions in your routine!) Does your routine have a good structure? (If your song has choruses—maybe you could make each of them similar? Don’t make them identical though!) This is what the judges will be marking you on, so make sure you get yourself ready!

If your dog loves doing tricks, why not try putting a few to music and

see if it clicks. After that, have a go at a couple of HTM competitions, we might even see you

on some talent shows before long!!

Content and Flow To make the best routine, your dog’s movements should be more important than yours. The routine should

have lots of different movements with no excessive repetition, otherwise points may be lost.