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THOSE DANCING CANINES 'WINE & WHISKERS': Saturday, July 19, 6-10 p.m., Lake Anna Winery, 5621 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Wine tasting, appetizers and dessert. Live music from Twelve Row Barley, cash wine bar, silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit the Greater Fredericksburg Area SPCA. $45 a person includes wine glass and T-shirt. Reservations required. Call 540/373-9008, ext. 22; wineandwhiskers.com.

May 31, 2008 12:15 am

DOGS DANCING! All over the world, canine twinkle-toes are swaying and sashaying with costume-sparkling humans.

Ask Patie Ventre, founder of the World Canine Freestyle Organization (worldcaninefreestyle.org), "How do I get started dancing with my dog?"

Ventre's keen attention rivets onto your expectant face, and she pours out her heart's work: the joy of one human moving in concert and synchronicity with one dog. With unflagging enthusiasm and candor describing the sport she loves, Ventre took me on her odyssey from the idea of dog dancing to understanding the deepening bond that develops between human and dog as they perfect dancing for teamwork and joy.

How it all began

In 1993, Ventre presented the first organized demonstration of canine freestyle dancing at the Gaines Classic in Memphis, Tenn. Ventre beams as she tells me: "I created WCFO Inc. with 13 other people in 1999. We now have over 60 people actively making the organization go round, over 30 clubs worldwide and over 5,000 active people on our information lists.

"I love that we all created a dog sport that truly represents the spirit of sharing and bonding with your pet and with each other. Hopefully someday, before I die, I will get to see canine freestyle in the Olympics. If someone told me 10 years ago I would be dancing with dogs, I would have laughed in their face!"

What makes canine freestyle so enthralling to Ventre?

"The sharing and bonding with my dogs and the fun we have! It is a stress reliever, too. I love choreographing routines, selecting music, designing costumes and practicing, practicing--that makes us laugh! I can actually see when the light bulb goes off on their faces and they've finally got it! They know they understand and just want to do it over and over because they are so proud of themselves."

Ventre's freestyle training approach is very holistic. She trains the whole dog: mind, body and spirit. The core of her training and her performance celebrates her dog's joy to prance with mom, while entrancing the audience. Her techniques are upbeat and focus on fun for the dog.

Clickers? Yes and No

Does Ventre use clicker training to perfect all these bouncing bows and smooth moves on the dance floor?

"Yes, sort of. I never use the clicker to train a move I am trying to get [because] I may click at the wrong time and [reinforce] something undesirable. Remember, I am physically interacting with my dogs; plus using toys/treats. The opportunity for a mistake is very apparent since I do not juggle!

"I use [the clicker] after I have the move and want to make it perfect and consistent. I also use a clicker on the fly. I may have it on me and if I see something my dog is doing that I want [to reinforce] as a move, I will click and treat that behavior, thus capturing the behavior."

Ventre does not use lots of treats in her training, explaining, "I believe the personal interaction is very important to instill as a reward for focus and attention."

What teaches her most in a training session?

"My dogs; if I can read their movements, there is nothing we cannot create together that is uniquely ours."

How long does it take to teach a dog with basic obedience skills a polished routine?

She advises: "This is not a good question to ask of a dedicated freestyle team! The routine is done when it is done; it does not matter how long it takes to create it. My focus is on attention. It takes me from three months to one year to create a routine to the level I like. Some routines are easier than others to create."

Each dog is unique

A mind-to-mind connection is obvious in Ventre's determination to have her dogs succeed and perform moves that bring them joy. She is not a cookie-cutter, "you will do this because I say so" kind of trainer. True partnership is the message as she shares her training examples. "I have yet to teach Dancer to roll over!" she says. "It is not her move. She hates having her underside exposed. Which brings me to another important issue: training moves and using the ones your dog loves.

"Each dog has its own specific moves that turn them on. These moves are done beautifully, and naturally. A good team will capitalize on them. Sometimes an owner sees another team do a great move and then tries to do it with their dog and sometimes this does not work. The onus is on the owner to find the perfect moves that work with their dog, not try to copy everything successful they see in another team."

Her advice to beginners in the sport?

"Visit Web sites of freestyle organizations to find one that suits [you]. Visit and join the e-mail freestyle group lists. Telephone to get information and locate people in your area. Most important: Attend a conference event with workshops and meet the people of the organization."

Up on your feet, dog lovers! Catch the freestyle fever! Chances are, there's a dog sitting or lying very close to you who is watching your face and trying to send you the message "Gotta Dance!"

Sarah A. Ferrell of Spotsylvania County, author of "Devoted to Dogs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Owner," (available through abrohamneal .com or Amazon.com) runs Dog Manners and Obedience. E-mail her in care of
Email: gwoolf@freelancestar.com.