Dancing with Dogs: Easy-To-Learn Techniques and Fun Routines for You and Your Dog

Mary Ray, one of the best freestyle dancers in the world, has done an excellent job in writing this book for all those who want to learn more about doing Freestyle with their dogs. It gives step by step instructions using pictures and diagrams on how to teach certain moves making them very easy to follow. It gives ideas of what kind of moves look good in a dance including starting and finishing poses. There is a section on how to plan a dance out on paper, including music, props and costumes. It concludes with an entire section of Mary Rays dance routines with an explanation of the moves, costumes and music. This book is a "must have" to both the novice and the more advanced freestyle enthusiast.

I'm giving the book a paws up. The layout is very inviting - spacious with lots of pictures and easy to read. From cover to cover, the book probably takes about 2 hours to read. To perform all the training and routines in the book would take a lifetime. Some of the information is very general - clicker training on a single page. However, the general information does includes the most important aspects of training concepts. Much of the strength of the book is in the Dance Routines shown in the later chapters. She's got routines for Star and Stripes, Singing in the Rain, Puppet on a String, and others. She outlines the steps and tricks in the routine and supplements the written description with pictures. She suggests music to use with the routines, films to watch, and tips for improving your performance. The book would be a fabulous resource for a 4H club, anyone trying to put together his or her first routine, or an expercienced freestyler looking for some new ideas. A book you might refer to over and over, picking up something new each time. At the price you can't beat it.