Heelwork to Music at Rugby DTC

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The club holds Heelwork to Music classes every other Tuesday. The Beginners class is 7.00pm – 7:45pm and the advanced class is 8.00pm – 9:00pm.

Classes cost £5.00 per session for members (If you have multiple dogs in one class, with the same handler, there is a cost of £1.00 per additional dog).

This is an opportunity to teach your dogs some moves, new behaviours, and learn foundation skills in this popular canine activity. For those who are competing or those who may wish to compete in the future these sessions are a great way for you to practice your moves and strengthen your routine with support and guidance from our experienced trainers.

Carole Turton is the club's Heelwork to Music Coordinator and Trainer and has extensive experience in the sport.

Rugby DTC has members competing at all levels from Starters through to Advanced, including those who compete and demonstrate at Crufts.  

"Heelwork to Music” is the generic name for the sport, but there are 2 divisions within this which are Heelwork to Music and Freestyle. 

HTM started in 1990 when one of the world’s best known dog trainers performed a demonstration of obedience heelwork with music playing at a “Canine Cabaret Night“ in Bedford, many of the 200 audience went away and said they had seen Heelwork to Music and that’s how the name came about. This famous trainer who started it all was Mary Ray, one of our own trainers who still trains and teaches at the club on a weekly basis. 

After the Cabaret Nights in 1990 & 1992 Mary was invited to demonstrate at Crufts, with her demonstrations quickly becoming a favourite for many spectators. In 1996 Rugby Dog Training Club held the first ever Kennel Club licensed HTM show, which has been the UK’s leading show ever since and has now moved to the Kennel Club building at Stoneleigh Park. 

There are now many competitive HTM shows throughout the UK and around the world, but the crowning event remains the finals in the main arena at Crufts every year. 

At Rugby DTC, you and your dog can train for fun, or work towards entering a show and perhaps even qualifying for the big finals at Crufts.