Healwork to Music

What is it?
Originally an offshoot of Obedience, Heelwork to Music is a heelwork routine set and timed to a piece of music and has since become its own recognised canine sport. It has since been split into two categories, Heelwork to Music and Freestyle.
Heelwork to music first started in the 1990s with handler Mary Ray holding the first official demonstrations during this time. The Paws N Music Association was started at the end of this decade with another club The Heelwork to Music & Freestyle Association starting a year after. Later it made its first Crufts competition in 2005 and the KC drew up its rules and regulations for the sport.

How does it work?
The aim of heelwork to music is for the handler to work their dog and choreograph a 4 minute routine to a piece of music of their choice. The dog and handler are judged on accuracy, team work, content, flow and musical interpretation.
For the Heelwork to Music competitions routines must consist of at least two thirds heelwork where a dog must work at heel in any of the eight prescribed heelwork positions. The other third of the routine can be freestyle if the handler wishes.
For Freestyle competitions it's the other way around where at least two thirds of the routine must be freestyle moves and the last one third of the routine may be heelwork if the handler wishes.

How to get started?
You can locate your nearest training club on the KC Find A Club page, or if no club is available to you you can read more about healwork to music and its requirements on the KC activities page. As your dog will need to be off lead to compete, training control training and of course healwork training will help you.

For more information about Healwork to music Click Here