Is Schutzhund For You?
Schutzhund is a fun and rewarding sport for you and your dog. However, it is very time consuming. Training a dog from scratch to an IPO 3 can take several years depending on ability (yours and your dog’s) and the time you put into it. Few dogs excel in all three phases of the sport, and training problems always crop up. The sport requires patience and good sportsmanship. We expect our members to treat their dogs fairly. Abusive training methods will not be tolerated.
Success in Schutzhund comes through team effort. We expect our members to help one another and to respect other club members, trainers and judges. We expect everyone to pitch in with club tasks, including helping with club events.
Is your dog an ideal Schutzhund dog? Here are the traits of a suitable canine candidate:
• Confidence. Approaches all new situations with curiosity rather than fear.
• Outgoing and friendly towards people. A more mature dog may exhibit some caution or aloofness, but never shyness or unwarranted aggression.
• Indifferent or friendly toward other dogs. Some dog-aggression is tolerated, but a dog that routinely picks fights or over- reacts to the presence of other dogs is not a good candidate for the sport.
• Lots of prey drive. Prey drive means your dog loves to play tug or chase a ball. It does not mean that he wants to attack other animals. Dogs with high prey drive are strong-willed and have exceptional enthusiasm for activities like Schutzhund. All dogs are born with some degree of prey drive; the challenge for handlers is to build that drive to its highest potential.
• Neither too independent nor too dependent on his handler. Schutzhund requires the dog to be obedient to his handler but also show initiative, make certain decisions on his own, and work away from his handler.
• Full of energy. The sport requires this of both dog and handler. Not for couch potatoes. The ideal Schutzhund dog may be a pain to live with because he always wants to do something.
• Is physically sound. Not for dogs with chronic conditions (such as hip dysplasia) that may interfere with their ability to jump, run, or engage a helper. Not for dogs whose physical structure would render them unable to jump the required one-meter high jump.
• Natural athlete. Schutzhund requires a quick turn of foot, jumping ability, and endurance.
• Low reaction to noise. Schutzhund dogs are tested for their reaction to gunfire.
The First Visits
As a prospective new member you are asked to meet with the Training Director; come observe at least three training sessions; train with the clubs for several sessions.
After these sessions, the training Director will present your application to the executive members for their approval.
The Training Director will also determine the suitability of the dog for the sport by making one of three conclusions:
1. The dog’s temperament is not suited to the sport, and/or the handler does not show willingness to train or socialize the dog appropriately.
2. Suitable, at which time the applicant will be invited to continue to attend training sessions.
3. Suitability undetermined. The dog may show promise but still be questionable. The training coordinator will advise as to the time frame to re-evaluate the dog at no additional fee. The evaluation will continue until the training coordinator reaches either conclusion 1 or 2 above.
Temperament Testing
We will make an honest assessment of your dog during the invitational sessions and tell you whether your dog is suited for the sport. A stable temperament is foremost. Your dog will be evaluated for its reaction to people, other dogs and its surroundings. This can be quite overwhelming, so please don’t write your dog off after one session -- we don’t!
Schutzhund is not for dogs with weak nerves or very low drive. The training coordinator will observe and evaluate your relationship with the dog and its drive. Does it enjoy playing tug-of-war? Does it love to chase a ball? Please understand that these evaluations are not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings; they are an honest appraisal of the potential of the dog in this sport. Sometimes this means that a young dog simply needs time to grow up. Sometimes a dog doesn’t have the heart to participate. This doesn’t mean it isn’t a perfectly wonderful companion.
Schutzhund is a fun and rewarding sport for you and your dog. However, it is very time consuming. Training a dog from scratch to an IPO 3 can take several years depending on ability (yours and your dog’s) and the time you put into it. Few dogs excel in all three phases of the sport, and training problems always crop up. The sport requires patience and good sportsmanship. We expect our members to treat their dogs fairly. Abusive training methods will not be tolerated.
Success in Schutzhund comes through team effort. We expect our members to help one another and to respect other club members, trainers and judges. We expect everyone to pitch in with club tasks, including helping with club events.
Is your dog an ideal Schutzhund dog? Here are the traits of a suitable canine candidate:
• Confidence. Approaches all new situations with curiosity rather than fear.
• Outgoing and friendly towards people. A more mature dog may exhibit some caution or aloofness, but never shyness or unwarranted aggression.
• Indifferent or friendly toward other dogs. Some dog-aggression is tolerated, but a dog that routinely picks fights or over- reacts to the presence of other dogs is not a good candidate for the sport.
• Lots of prey drive. Prey drive means your dog loves to play tug or chase a ball. It does not mean that he wants to attack other animals. Dogs with high prey drive are strong-willed and have exceptional enthusiasm for activities like Schutzhund. All dogs are born with some degree of prey drive; the challenge for handlers is to build that drive to its highest potential.
• Neither too independent nor too dependent on his handler. Schutzhund requires the dog to be obedient to his handler but also show initiative, make certain decisions on his own, and work away from his handler.
• Full of energy. The sport requires this of both dog and handler. Not for couch potatoes. The ideal Schutzhund dog may be a pain to live with because he always wants to do something.
• Is physically sound. Not for dogs with chronic conditions (such as hip dysplasia) that may interfere with their ability to jump, run, or engage a helper. Not for dogs whose physical structure would render them unable to jump the required one-meter high jump.
• Natural athlete. Schutzhund requires a quick turn of foot, jumping ability, and endurance.
• Low reaction to noise. Schutzhund dogs are tested for their reaction to gunfire.
The First Visits
As a prospective new member you are asked to meet with the Training Director; come observe at least three training sessions; train with the clubs for several sessions.
After these sessions, the training Director will present your application to the executive members for their approval.
The Training Director will also determine the suitability of the dog for the sport by making one of three conclusions:
1. The dog’s temperament is not suited to the sport, and/or the handler does not show willingness to train or socialize the dog appropriately.
2. Suitable, at which time the applicant will be invited to continue to attend training sessions.
3. Suitability undetermined. The dog may show promise but still be questionable. The training coordinator will advise as to the time frame to re-evaluate the dog at no additional fee. The evaluation will continue until the training coordinator reaches either conclusion 1 or 2 above.
Temperament Testing
We will make an honest assessment of your dog during the invitational sessions and tell you whether your dog is suited for the sport. A stable temperament is foremost. Your dog will be evaluated for its reaction to people, other dogs and its surroundings. This can be quite overwhelming, so please don’t write your dog off after one session -- we don’t!
Schutzhund is not for dogs with weak nerves or very low drive. The training coordinator will observe and evaluate your relationship with the dog and its drive. Does it enjoy playing tug-of-war? Does it love to chase a ball? Please understand that these evaluations are not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings; they are an honest appraisal of the potential of the dog in this sport. Sometimes this means that a young dog simply needs time to grow up. Sometimes a dog doesn’t have the heart to participate. This doesn’t mean it isn’t a perfectly wonderful companion.