Want to Teach Your Dog to Dance?

We dance to express joy, celebrate, and find intimacy with one another. Most of the time, our dance partners are other humans. However, one animal proves that dancing is not exclusive to any species. Dogs can dance, too, although we’re not sure they can all dance like the one in this video. Let’s find out what a dog needs to bust a move.

The Wide World of Dog Dancing

Dog dancing has existed for decades. It’s also known as “musical freestyle” and combines owner-given commands with musical steps. According to the American Kennel Club, any dog can learn musical freestyle. These dances are impressive to watch because they give the illusion that a dog is shimmying to the beat. In reality, it’s a carefully choreographed number that involves extensive training.

Dog dancing became part of the Crufts Dog Show in 1993, where it became known as “heelwork to music.” Dog trainer Mary Ray and her border collie were the first to perform musical freestyle at the show. Now, dog owners can find classes and even musical freestyle dog dancing competitions. However, training your dog to dance doesn’t need to be complicated.

Simple Dog Dancing Commands

The pup in this video is really grooving to his owner’s beats. Humans may have coined the jig, but this dog is giving us a run for our money. Unlike humans, though, its moves are learned, not instinctual. Humans can hear a beat and interpret it with physical moves. There’s no evidence that dogs can do this, but they can be trained to move rhythmically.

Unfortunately, science proves that dogs can’t perceive music as we do. This requires complex vocal learning, which is rarely found in animals. Understanding music is a far more complicated process involving more than hearing. Moving in time to a beat while processing a rhythm is beyond the skillset of most mammals. The difference in dogs is that they have exceptional command recall.

Dogs Can Be Taught

The good news is any dog can be taught with the right commands. Teaching a dog how to dance uses the same method you’d use to teach “sit.” In fact, the “sit” command is a great place to start! This serves as the foundation for what the pup in the video can be seen doing. To teach a dog how to “dance,” owners must first teach them how to sit on their haunches. Doing this slowly (and having patience!) is important. Rewarding dogs with treats each time they stand a little taller adds positive reinforcement. Eventually, owners can encourage their dogs enough to stand on their back legs for seconds at a time.

The owner has taken the training process one step further in this video. This pup knows how to stand on its back legs but is also walking on them. Once a dog is comfortable standing on their hind legs, they can be taught to “walk” around. In the video, this gives the appearance of the pup dancing. Adding music is the final step to complete the trick!

Verbal cues like the ones heard in this video can be added during training. Some owners prefer hand movements, especially if they’re dancing with their pups. During competitions, trainers will add moves such as spins, weaves, and standing maneuvers. It’s tough work being a pup, but dancing for treats is a big perk.