Light on their paws, 'doggy dancers' cut rug

When the duo finished their routine, seven other "doggy dancers" at the Capital Dog Training Club in Silver Spring applauded. Doggy dancing, gourmet pet foods and doggy day care are just some of the luxuries to which Americans are increasingly subjecting the country's 48 million canines. "Some people don't like bowling, but this is something some people like to do with their dogs. For the human part of these duos, it's a "sharing experience," says Mrs. Tennille, who founded the Canine Freestyle Federation in 1995. She prefers to call the activity "canine freestyle" instead of "doggy dancing," and considers it a sport. 
     "As a way to make people understand about canine freestyle, I say it's similar to dancing with your dog," she says. Attire is expected to complement the dog and the choreography. Dogs enjoy dancing because they are social animals, says Patie Ventre, founder and president of the World Canine Freestyle Organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Dancer, Ms. Ventre's 3-year-old border collie, competes in the events from time to time, wearing decorative collars and ankle bands.

     One day, she would like canine freestyle to become an Olympic sport. In the meantime, she continues to hold competitions with titles such as "Salty Dog Swing," "Disco Doggy Dance," "Dance Our Tails Off," "Mighty Dancing Dogs" and "I Left My Paws in San Francisco."
     "You become joint partners with the dog," she says. "The dog actually has a lot of input."

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