How Important is the pre-routine in Freestyle?  Does it effect your Presentation score or is it just a crowd pleaser? 

Bob - Pre-routine does not count for Presentation. However, pre-routine may contribute to your getting the crowd's attention and support to a higher level and you, the dog and the crowd may "feed" off of each other will should allow you to produce a higher Presentation score. 

Chuck - I have never used an elaborate pre-routine, I've felt my practice time could be better spent in other areas. A pre-routine, good or bad, can set the tone for the rest of your routine, but should not impact your overall score. If you choose to use a pre-routine, practice and memorize it the same way you would the rest of your routine so that you and your dog both know what each other is going to do.

Ron - A pre-routine is, for the most part, for crowd enjoyment and will not influence the judging. However, a good pre-routine can set a positive tone for your scored performance. Beware, though, that a pre-routine of more than 30 or 40 seconds or one that precedes a missed first throw may set a negative tone. Proceed with caution.