*To see all my dancing routines and training, check out my Canine Freestyle Videos page.
******
Me & Hsin-Yi doing clicker training...
My human, Hsin-Yi, and I do this great thing together called Canine Freestyle (“doggie dancing”) - I really like it because Hsin-Yi always gives me free treats when we do this kind of training – I just need to figure out which trick makes her give me the treat! 
It’s dead easy, though – she usually gives me clues with her hands and legs or the way her body moves, and I also know I’ve got it right when she makes a CLICK noise with a small plastic box called a clicker. This is called clicker training and it’s a really good way to help us dogs learn things.
Then Hsin-Yi puts on this special noise called “music” and we put the moves together to the music, like a dance! It’s fantastic fun and Hsin-Yi laughs a lot and I love being with her when we do this.
Dancing with Hsin-Yi...
.
The best thing is that I don’t have to do anything I don’t like or find difficult to do and I can do things the way that’s easier for me, at my own speed. Not like Obedience or some of the other dog sports where everyone has to do things EXACTLY one way only.
Here is what Hsin-Yi wrote about Canine Freestyle in a magazine:
“What is Canine Freestyle?
Canine Freestyle’ or ‘Heelwork to Music’ (HTM), as it is sometimes known, uses clicker training and food rewards to teach dogs a series of tricks and moves. These moves can then be choreographed and performed in time to music – so that owners and their pooches can literally “dance” together as they go through the routine. It was originally developed to show the public how interesting heelwork could be but what started as a simple performance in time to music has exploded into one of the most popular dog sports in recent times. A quick search on YouTube results in nearly 600 video entries! No longer just about heelwork, the sport now includes ‘Canine Freestyle’ where the dog does not have to remain close to the handler, meaning that routines can become more sophisticated, with increasingly daring moves. Not only does the combination of music and dance allow handlers to demonstrate their skills and partnership with their dogs but the training also develops the dogs mentally and physically. The activity has gained huge popularity as more and more people embrace its philosophy of fun and enjoy the bond they develop with their dogs during training.”
A lot of people laughed at Hsin-Yi when she decided to do Canine Freestyle with me – they said that Great Danes are too big and too slow and too stupid to learn to dance! Some people even told her to get herself “a proper dog” like a Border Collie! (GASP!)
Hsin-Yi says that nothing is impossible if you put in the time, effort and patience – and she needed loads of those with me!
But she said that she would rather do it with me than with the usual faster, more agile and clever working breeds because she loves me and just wants to enjoy doing things with HER dog, not only care about wining ribbons. And she doesn’t mind if it’s a bit harder and takes more time training me – she likes a challenge!
In dog dancing class...
.
But we surprised everybody – I learnt some fancy tricks and dance moves and we even put together a sassy routine to “Big Spender” by Shirley Bassey. We were so good that they started asking us to take part in displays and competitions! Hah! We showed them!
Me & Hsin-Yi with the Paws 2 Music Display Team
.
And then we got asked to compete at the biggest dog training event in New Zealand: the National Dog Training Assembly (NDTA). Dogs and their owners come from all over the country and there is Obedience, Agility, Heelwork to Music/Canine Freestyle and lots of other doggie sports. It is a really big event and all the humans get very stressy.
Here are some photos of me and Hsin-Yi in the Canine Freestyle competition at the New Zealand NDTA, Oct 2007:
(photos courtesy of ‘Pauline’ at http://www.pbase.com/wooley )
This is us waiting for the 'Big Spender' music to start
.
THere I am doing a "twist"!
.
I love using my paws and this is one of my favourite tricks: 'marching paws'
.
The finale to the routine and my favourite part!
.
It was all a bit strange, with so many dogs and people staring at me – and I could feel stressy vibes coming from Hsin-Yi, which made me nervous too. But I think I did OK. She was laughing when the music finished and I could feel that she was happy.
Then after, I heard my name coming from the sky in a really loud voice and then Hsin-Yi was REALLY happy! And that’s when I got the silver cup which they said is the Shayiska Trophy for Best Routine.
Hsin-Yi was really proud of me – she said we showed everybody that big dogs can do things too – it doesn’t matter if you’re “different” as long as you believe in yourself…Well, we ended up beating all those other fast, clever working breeds – hah, we showed them! Impossible is nothing!
Here is our first routine, at the NDTA (Big Spender):
.
Since then, I have gone on to learn and perform many other routines:
Me & My Shadow
.
Sway
.
A really cute Pairs Routine done to Mercy, which I did with my friend, Bodie the Border Terrier!
.
my Chinese routine
.
To watch more videos of me performing at shows, demos and pet events – plus footage of me doing dance training – check out my Canine Freestyle Videos page
Also check out my ‘online doggie dancing contest’ Dancing With The Doggie Stars – with tutorials on dance moves & choreography:
For more information about Canine Freestyle and how to get started:
Check out my Clicker Training/Tricks tutorials page
Here are some other good resources:
This is a really good book for teaching dogs tricks, with step-by-step pictures & instructions:
Dog Tricks: Fun and Games for Your Clever Canine
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog
.
And here are some good websites with more information on Canine Freestyle – and some of my favourite doggie dancing duos!
Tina Humphrey and her rescue dog, Chandi – Video: Dancing at Crufts 2007
Richard Curtis K9 Freestyle http://www.k9freestyle.co.uk/index.htm – Video: Mission Impossible
Attila Szkukalek http://www.dogdance.net/english_version/index.html - Video: Charlie Chaplin, Gladiator
Mary Ray http://www.maryray.co.uk/ - Video: Working 2 dogs
Mary Ray and Richard Curtis performing Me and My Shadow together with 2 dogs!
Carolyn & Rookie Canine Freestyle http://www.caninefreestylemagicmatch.com/
Melbourne Canine Freestyle http://melbournecaninefreestyle.com.au/classes.html
Canine Freestyle GB http://www.caninefreestylegb.com/index.htm
Heelwork to Music UK http://www.heelworktomusic.co.uk/
Canine Freestyle Federation http://www.canine-freestyle.org/
Musical Dog Sport Association (US) http://www.musicaldogsport.org/index.htm
World Canine Freestyle Organisation (US) http://www.worldcaninefreestyle.org/
Paws N Music Association (UK) http://www.paws-n-music.co.uk/
...
I love your doggie dancing! You are soooo talented!
You showed them that Danes can do anything! Way to go Honey & Hsin-Yi.
Great site Honey! Will look forward to keeping up with all your future adventures!
I love it. You look so good together.
Fantastic, just shows, some one at the vet said big dogs were stupid !!! guess they were a big dog. Look forward to keeping up with your new life. Good luck.
I love your blog, Honey! You are a lucky puppy!
Honey, my name is Bud, and I am a fawn Great Dane like you. I am on my human's computer. she is in the other room. I want you to know that you are one smart Dane girl! the video of you and your human dancing is awesome! When it comes to dancing, I have four left feet! But I make up for it, because I am so handsome. My Mom is always telling me that. Keep up the good work!
WOW!!!
You two are AMAZING!!!
Kisses
Addie
Best dancing dane ever! Honey you and your mommy ROCK!
Kisses from the akitas who admire your talent and beauty! xoxo
Great job on it Honey !
Keep up the GOOD work !!!
Lots of Loves ,
Cody
BRAVO! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!!!!
Aww Honey! You are a wonderful dancer!
Love & Licks,
Randi
Honey,
You and Hsin-Yi are amazing!! I LOVE all of your videos! Now my Mom wants to teach me the weave! I can already go through her legs and I like to spin although I have had no formal dance training.
Mom thinks we can do it though! Glad I found your blog! Talk to you soon!
Wags,
Nala
Thanks for making me smile, the video montage is delightful. Sorry I wasn't at the 2007 NDTA to see you in person.
From Catherine & Mica the Test C dane.
What an elegant, gorgeous pair you are ! My husband and I loved the video and I am sending it to all my friends overseas. We have a B&B in Parnell and a fawn Saluki, and I would love to learn a dance routine to entertain our guests. I think I will give it a go.
Happy New Year !
Best wishes from Therese, Bart and Khalifa in Parnell.
really loved your dance routine, must be amazing to see in real life. What treats do you teach Honey with ?
I love your doggie dancing -- Honey!
but he is too craizy 
You are so talented! I loved that Kiko do the same
hugs and kisses from kikos world
visit us, ok? http://mundodokikoecompanhia.blogspot.com/
Jerry and I loved the doggy dancing! As he says, "That's why we have a high-speed internet connection."
Keep up the great footwork, Honey and Hsin-Yi!
*woof woof woof*
Everything is so pawsome!!!
We love the dance and also the trick how to walk around the legs.
Licks,
Adele, Vincent & Bella
WOW! That's impresssive! I love your dancing Honey! Very smart looking! Totally pawesome.
We love U2!
Интересно, а есть тут кто-то, кто не согласен с автором ?
honey thanx 4 helping my human
:):):):):):)
slobbers and licks
cherry the german shepherd
Congratulations! Amazing show with a gorgeous dog! Your ideas are really spectacular. I love it!
AWESOME! I loved your video on you tube. I'm a great dane lover (2) and a neo mastiff lover. My black dane is a therapy dog as well.
Ha! Love it! Honey, you and your mom are so much fun to watch! I have not seen much freestyle but I am pretty sure there aren’t many Danes… if any… doing freestyle in the USA. Keep up the good work!
I just wanted to thank you Honey for showing me what big dogs can do when they put their minds to it.
Seeing what you’ve been able to do has made me want to take Griffen’s (my Dogue de Bordeaux) training beyond sit, stay and drop and also start my own blog (although that may not be such a good idea hehe)
I look forward to reading more about you.
Honey,
I wanted to write and tell you about the impact you have had on my life. My human was missing the Great Danes she shared her life with so much, she would go to YouTube for what she called a “Dane fix” and she came upon your Canine Freestyle video. She said she was “blown away”, though I don’t understand how that was because she was still sitting right there, but I now realize that humans say silly things.
From there she searched out every other video of you and watched them over and over again, but always kept coming back to that first video, “Big Spender”.
My human looked and looked for a place to learn Canine Freestyle, but nothing for a long time. Finally, a place called CleverK9 and wonderful teachers called Renee Shriver and Rachel Jane Stintzcum decided to teach us this amazing dog sport.
We’ve been taking classes for some time now and we’ve formed a club called Prancing Paws. We’re the only club in NJ and we’re trying to get things going. My human is trying to get the local papers interested and I’m telling all my doggie friends to try to get the word out.
It’s all thanks you to Honey, half a world away!
I love you, Katy
Honey,
I finally sat Doc -- my 14-year-old wire-hair fox terrier -- in my lap for a look at your website. Doc thinks you can do more tricks than he can -- and he thought HE was good! You are something special -- and so is your mom! Let me know if you work up a “Cowboy” or “Western” routine and we will send a western bandana with fringe!! How about “Back in the Saddle Again”?? Whatever you do -- you stand above the rest and not just because you are a Great Dane! Many “woofs” for you both.
Hi Honey,
As we’ve told you many times, my human credits you with getting us involved with Canine Freestyle. Well, my human would like to share your Freestyle story with our fellow human members (the doggie members already know all about you ’cause I told them)!
Would we be able to get your permission to repost your Canine Freestyle article in an issue of a quarterly newsletter which is issued as a benefit to our Prancing Paws Freestyle Club of NJ members? We would, of course, say the article is written by you and then would link to your blog. Please think on it and check with H’sin Yi and let us know.
Thanks for considering it!
Katy (and Kim her human)
I just want to leave a word of thanks for going to all of the trouble of posting your videos on the web. I enjoyed watching you both do your wonderful routines. You are both talented, graceful artists. My neighbors’ great dane used to spend the day at my apartment when her parents were at work. They moved away, and I’ve been missing her a lot lately. Thanks for the fix.
Hallo Honey a Hsin-Yi,
My name is Grigia and my owner is Daja. I am a Great Dane and living in Europe in the Czech Republic. We found a video on the internet as you exercise and dance. You’re doing very nicely. We also started last year with dogdancing freestyle. And because we enjoy it , we would like to try and test facilities. Here are the dogs that participate in trials or races in anything rarity. For you in Australia is about the same or is there more you train dog ? We will be glad when we answer
These videos make me smile. Honey is such a beautiful animal.