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Musical Dog Sport Association

Magic of the Match Online Workshop
Preview and Submission Instructions
(May 2012)

Wanna See Some Magic?

MDSA's Magic of the Match Online Workshop will begin in May. More information about the workshop in included below, but here's a sneak peak of some what you'll see. To watch these two magic matches below, first open the HEELING FOOTAGE link, and turn the volume all the way down on the YouTube control. Next, click one of the MUSIC OPTION links and make sure the volume is turned on for the music. You should have TWO internet windows open at this point. Hit PLAY in both windows. Watch, enjoy!

Heeling Footage

Music Options

Emily and Little Miss Sunshine

 A. Dance of the Reed Pipes from The Nutcracker Ballet

Pam and Eagle

A. Blue Danube


About the Workshop

As a reminder, the MDSA monthly online workshops are provided for MDSA members only. There's still time to become a member! Please download and complete this application. Then, you can join the MDSA Online Workshop Discussion List and take part in this workshop.

MDSA believes the Music element is key to creating a successful routine. The importance of music is evident even in our name, Musical Dog Sport Association.  Without music there'd be no freestyle! The right music can enhance the natural movement of your dog, the personality and energy of the team, and it can make even basic choreography sparkle. The goal of this workshop is to help you understand the core role that music plays in freestyle and how to recognize (and find) those magical matches. We'll also offer invaluable guidance about what to look for in a music choice.

MDSA members are invited to join the Magic of the Match workshop by uploading a video to the Internet and sending the link to the Executive Board. During the month of May, we'll post a special web page just for this workshop in which we'll post new videos and suggested matches every few days. You'll get to see the matches, discuss with other members on the list, and even try your hand at finding other magical options. Warning! This is so fun to watch it can get downright addictive! If you want to submit footage and have your dog matched, follow the directions below. The workshop will proceed with a set process and order, and we'll explain that as we kick it off, so please don't post your footage directly to the workshop list.



HOW TO SIGN UP AND SUBMIT FOOTAGE

  • Let us know you intend to participate by sending an e-mail to musicaldogsport@gmail.com by MARCH 1 with your name, dog's name and breed.
  • Read the footage instructions CAREFULLY below. If your footage is not appropriately filmed, don't be surprised if we ask you to re-film. Good footage is key, so read carefully!
  • When your footage is ready, post it to the Internet using YouTube or another site of your choice.
  • Then, send the link to the footage along with your name and you dog's name NO LATER THAN APRIL 1 to the following two e-mails: Emily Pyle (web master) at emilypyle@sbcglobal.net AND MDSA at musicaldogsport@gmail.com. If you have your footage earlier, please send it along!


IMPORTANT PARTICIPANT NOTICE

A handler my use a workshop music suggestion or use the suggestion as a guideline. A handler is certainly under no obligation to use any of the songs suggested during the course of the workshop. In addition, using a suggested song will not affect the judging of the routine and does not guarantee a Qualifying score, if submitted to competition. Remember, this workshop is based on simple heeling footage, often under two minutes in length. We cannot know your musical preferences and every nuance of your dog's personality after watching less than two minutes of video footage. If you eventually put a suggested song to an actual routine, the match could be less successful for several important reasons: your choreography, the flow of the movements, your attitude on that day, your focus, the dog's focus, the environment of filming, your pace, your dog's speed, using no food or toys, and many other variables. The primary focus of this workshop is to highlight the elelments you should look for in the ideal freestyle music for your dog, including suggested tempo, instrumentation, and/or weight of music. How you use that suggestion and how successfully you showcase the match in a routine is up to YOU!



HOW TO RECORD FOOTAGE:

  • Film you and your dog heeling in a large, smooth circle.
  • The dog is always on the outside of the circle, in a comfortable trot if possible.
  • Do not play music while you film.
  • On or off leash, whatever works best for your dog.
  • There is no time requirement, the period of time you work depends on your dog s skill level. But generally at least good minute and a half is very helpful. Work just long enough that it stays fun and your dog has a good energy level.
  • You can work either clockwise or counterclockwise, but try to get longer periods in one direction before you change.
  • It's best if you have someone film you. Ask them to zoom in so we can clearly see your dog's movement and your own, too.
  • It's okay to hear talking and background noise and there s no need to edit out those noises, they will not matter later.

IMPORTANT: We want to see interaction between you and your dog, it's not a formal heeling exercise. Use lots of rewards during the exercise - treats, toys, play, touching and praise. This should be a relaxed and fun exercise, upbeat with smiles! It's okay to move for a short period of time and then take a quick break to play and then start again.



EXAMPLES OF QUALITY FOOTAGE

While some of you may have worked out a music matching method that works for you, it may not necessarily be one that works "magic". During this workshop we are sticking to and stressing the "Magic of the Match" technique and hope that you all will give it a try. Because quality footage is absolutely key to making (and seeing) matches, be sure to watch the examples below. You'll see a variety of dogs and movement styles, but they all have some important elements in common: it's easy to see the dog and handler movement (they are not too far away); they use praise, rewards and fun; they are working at a comfortable upbeat pace; they are working in a circle with the dog on the outside; there are nice periods of consistent movement (which will come in handy later.)