Canine Freestyle, or Dog Dancing, has become an established international dog sport. Eye-catching and heart moving performances illustrating the beautiful bond between dog and handler can be seen in competitions, most notably the world’s biggest dog sports fair “Crufts”, organized and held by the British Kennel Club every year. At the same time, it is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone with dogs of all ages and physical ability and can in fact help maintain health in senior dogs. It doesn’t require large space or special facilities, and you can exercise your training inside a small room or outdoors at a nearby park.
You don’t need any training background to start learning and discover what you and your dog can achieve through dog dancing at DDC (Dog Daisuki Club)!

Hi!
Welcome to my Dog Daisuki Club (DDC) Website. I am Chikage Hayashi, a certified dog trainer in Japan (currently in Tokyo and Kanagawa) with multiple titles and performance awards in both canine dancing and obedience competitions held by major organizations in Japan and judged by qualified international judges(DogDance Japan).Me and my dancing partner Orion, a toy poodle, competed actively in competitions, where the majority of the contestants were middle to large-sized dogs, and successfully claimed four consecutive obedience titles as well as numerous awards for our dance performances.
We represented Japan in one of two major dog dance competitions in Europe, the Open European Championship (OEC), held in Switzerland. We were also invited as chief judge and HTM/Freestyle seminar instructor in the Dance Competition Category of the National Dog Obedience Assembly held by Dogs New Zealand(New Zealand Kennnel Club).
The DDC is internationally recognized by influential members of the canine freestyle sport and the only dog training school in Japan to receive recommendation from Karen Sykes, one of the most distinguished dog handlers and a highly decorated member of the British HTM team.

By Karen Sykes
I have known Chikage since 2014 when I first saw her compete in Canine Freestyle with her lovely dog, Orion. From that first meeting it was clear that the bond between them was very special and I was impressed by her eagerness to seek advice to help her to advance her knowledge and practical skills in dog training.

Over the years Chikage has expanded her understanding of all aspects of dog training, particularly her expertise in working with each dog’s individual character and adapting her methods to support the handler in assisting the dog to achieve what is required whilst truly enjoying the process of learning different skills.

We have known and worked together for 6 years now which is why I can confidently recommend Chikage without hesitation. Anyone who is looking for basic training tailored to the individual dog’s nature, personality and temperament need look no further.

I have always loved animals since childhood and took up horse riding for a while. After graduating from university, I began my career working for a magazine company and then an ad agency where I was required to write up a list of winning project proposals for my clients. My experience during that time gave me the power to start from scratch and become competitive with new ideas and methods. Broadening my horizons by involving myself in volunteer work for dog rescue organizations became a turning point in my life. I seriously began to consider a new career in which I could utilize my skills to help dogs and their owners lead a fulfilling life and gave up my career to become a professional dog trainer.
Knowing too well that a truly skilled dog trainer is not made with theory and a certificate, I purposely put myself through a difficult test of competing with a small toy poodle (Orion) in various competitions and sports and successfully proved myself with numerous titles and awards. With Orion nearing retirement, I am now aiming to qualify to contest internationally with my new partner Melody, a border collie, but it is the hard work that I’ve gone through with Orion that has enabled me to establish my original training methods.
I also have plans to hold programs for children in the hope of educating the next generation on animal welfare awareness.

Unlike European countries, dog owners in Japan tend to choose smaller breeds due to their limited living space. Small dogs are usually highly strung and sensitive compared to larger dogs, thus in need of special attention. But their cuteness can be an audience grabbing tool in competition.
DDC focuses on building a curriculum to meet the needs of each individuals to ensure comprehensibility so that the dog remains motivated and the owner can feel the joy of training and the outcome of their efforts. During the course of training, health and proper assessment of their physical ability is top priority, so each session will be programed accordingly. Our original training method enables dog of all breeds and sizes to execute their movement effortlessly and accurately to the commands given by their handler. I have a variety of methods and skills from my experience with less trainable dogs—something that many trainers who have only trained the most obedient breeds cannot provide. The training lesson involving lots of treats and toys is great fun for the dog and both you and your dog will find great joy in interacting with each other on a daily basis in the convenience of your home. If you are an owner of a larger breed, looking for an effective training method to unleash the potential ability within your dog, you will find it at DDC.
We use the same rules established by the FCI in judging our DDC competitions.