The creative and artistic activity of canine freestyle dance incorporates a dog as a central performer in a musical dance routine, entertaining the audience with tricks and specialized heelwork. These routines, carefully choreographed by the dog’s handler, can be either humorous or dramatic in scope and can range from simple to complex. While the entertaining activity first gained notice in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1991 that the first official Canine Freestyle Dance organization was formed in British Columbia. Kishu Ken breed dogs are very agile and surefooted with an extreme sense of loyalty to their owners. While they are sometimes strong-willed, firm and consistent training methods are typically effective, and they thrive when given a job to do.
Hide and seek is a favorite childhood game for many people and can easily be modified to play with your dog. Dogs with strong bonds to their chosen human will often find this game to be very satisfying, as it provides mental stimulation and helps to strengthen critical thinking skills as well as reinforcing the bond between you and your canine companion. This game is also a good way to encourage bonding between not only your Kishu’s favorite chosen person but also with other family members like children who play the game with you. The other nice thing about this activity is that it is a good way to entertain you and your pooch, without costing you anything but time.
Rally Obedience, sometimes simply referred to as Rally-O, is a dog sport that combines elements of both agility and obedience training. It is a team sport involving your dog and a handler, usually the owner, in which the dog navigates a course that includes ten to twenty signs that indicate certain moves or behaviors for the canine to exhibit including sending them over jumps, changing pace, and making turns and spins. The focus of this activity is the bond between the animal and the person, making it an excellent activity for a loyal and intelligent dog like the Kishu Ken. The steps in rally-o can be learned through books and videos but many pet parents prefer to learn from a professional trainer. The cost for professional training can range from fifty dollars to over three hundred dollars, depending on where the lessons are held, whether it involves private lessons or a group class, and how long the course runs.