This is a relatively new but fast growing sport that is attracting the interest of a number of Poodle owners. The Club is fortunate to have members who are involved at the organizing Committee level of this interesting activity. The Poodle Club has not included Dances with Dogs in the schedule of our shows, however there have been a number of demonstrations and it may be possible to include competitions in the future.

Briefly, Dances with Dogs competitions provide handlers and their dogs with an opportunity to demonstrate a skilful, choreographed routine, performed to music, including Freestyle and Heelwork to music. The activity is based on traditional obedience work but allows for a different kind of creativity. It require good rapport and teamwork between the Poodle and the handler.

You can find out more about Dances with Dogs by visiting the ANKC website. Just click on this link, place your cursor over the tab “About ANKC,” click on the drop down box “Rules ,” scroll down to “Dances with Dogs,” and click on the link. The Activities & Events area of the Dogs NSW website also has more information.

If you have ideas for developing Dances with Dogs that you believe other Members will be interested in please contact:

The Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Show Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

DANCING with CHLOE

A personal story by Club Member Loretta Rabbit

The Toy Poodle “Chloe” DWDF.CH. Beddydane Tinkabell C.D.X. A.D.X J.D.X. G.D. S.D. - loved owned and trained by Loretta Rabbitt

Since becoming a titled sport in 2009, Dances with Dogs has rapidly gained momentum in the Australian canine world. It stands to deliver a new dimension to canine competitions and adds another building block to the foundations of training.

I initially became interested in Dances with Dogs when I attended a Canine Best Friend Course at Sutherland Dog Training Club with my toy poodle “Chloe”. The instructor (Noella Smith) gave everyone a trick to teach their dog for the next week’s lesson. Throughout the week I was amazed at how Chloe not only learnt the tricks but also how much she enjoyed it. I arrived the next week with Chloe not only learning her trick but every trick Noella had given the class. Noella was so impressed that she suggested that I should consider competing in Dances with Dogs.

Pet Expo just happened to be on the next week so Noella and I attended to watch the dogs go through their routines. I was blown away by how well trained these dogs were. However, I had no idea how to get started – I thought the best way was to purchase several DVD’s and books and start learning and training Chloe to perform various moves.

I discovered that competitions were being held in NSW and one was coming up, so I quickly had to progress from just doing a few moves to finding a song and joining the moves I had learnt into a choreographed routine. I managed to prepare a routine but was a little wary about actually competing in a competition. I attended the trial the week after and managed a first place in starters.

At this stage I was still training for Dances With Dogs – attending seminars with Mary Ray and Richard Curtis from England and Emmy Simonson from Denmark who all visited Australia. I also was having lessons with Maree Fields in Queensland working a lot on focus and drive. I was amazed by the support I was receiving from trainers, judges and friends.

Chloe and I were also participating in as many demonstrations as we could to refine our routines. These demonstrations included the Sydney Royal, Pet Expo, RSPCA’s Million Paws walk as well as many Dog Day Out events. We also competed in competitions in Queensland as well as New South Wales.

People who were participating in Dances with Dogs could see the benefits of it become a titled sport. We were lucky to see this happen in 2009 due to the hard work of a few people who spent many hours putting together a submission to the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). Since then we have held many competitions in Sydney in which Chloe and I have participated. We also attended the first competition held in Victoria.

I am thrilled to have been awarded the first championship title in Australia for Dancing with Dogs. To achieve this honor Chloe had to gain ten passes at the advanced level of competition. Chloe was successful in every competition she competed in including her last two passes that were received in Victoria.

Dances with Dogs has changed my whole outlook on training and made me understand the importance of the foundations of training and the close bond that is required with your dog. Training your dog requires a lot of work and plenty of play. I believe that your dog must love to work because it is such fun to train.

Dogs competing in Dances With Dogs learn to use their intelligence and become happy and secure. They are able to tackle all obstacles they face. Chloe’s experiences in the dancing and obedience rings have enabled her to work in many TV advertisements and commercial promotions.

One of the great joys in this sport for both Chloe and I is the ability to brighten up the day of sick children. Chloe is a Delta Therapy Dog and attends the Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital on Wednesdays. The children are delighted when they see her tricks and when she rides her skate board around the wards.

I suppose if you want to succeed in this sport you need to start with a sound good temperament dog. I must thank Lea Stone for breeding exactly that. You also need to be consistent and clear with your training. Dogs don’t make the mistakes we do. I have also heard many comments as to what size and breed of dog is the best for this fabulous sport – a sport which is excellent for all breeds and sizes. You will only be held back if you don’t use your imagination in what is possible to achieve.

Happy Dancing

Loretta and Chloe