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Schutzhund - The History & the meaning ?
Topic Started: 24 Feb 2014, 07:24 PM (249 Views)
Rooneysdad
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Schutzhund - The History & the meaning of --

Having been asked on numerous ocassions exactly what Schutzhund was & entailed, i sought permission from Mr Chris & Tim Wild from Wildhauskennels to post this very informative thread. :thumbs up:
Make yourself a cuppa & read on - ----


What is Schutzhund ?
===============

Schutzhund is a German word meaning "protection dog" , but there's a lot more to it than that. Originally developed as a means of testing potential breeding stock, it has evolved into a sport that can be enjoyed on a variety of levels from hobby to international competition. As dog sports go, Schutzhund is without a doubt one of the most exciting & challenging. It is also one of the most rewarding. Above all , it is a team sport; the team of dog & it's handler.The two must work together , and perform in harmony. When done well, it is beautiful to watch & the bond between dog & handler is clear for all to see & many to envy.

Schutzhund training involves three phases; tracking, obedience & protection. When put together, the great effort involved in obtaining a Schutzhund title, & the challenges which accompany this training , make for an obedient, stable, useful & well rounded companion & create an incredible bond between dog & handler. Schutzhund by necessity involves stringent tests of the dog's temperament, nerve & overall willingness to work, & by any definition a Schutzhund trained dog is a well trained dog. As such, these dogs are safe, happy & obedient with great self confidence, mental stability & a willingness to please the handler. These are the traits which make the german Shepherd Dog one of the most versatile breeds in existance, & which are still highly valued by professional trainers, law enforcement officers & families wanting an outstanding companion.

A Brief History of Schutzhund
------------------------------

Schutzhund has it's beginnings with the very origin of the German Shepherd Dog as a breed , & the two cannot be seperated. The founders of the German Shepherd Dog began with the herding stock & sought to create a versatile, utilitarian animal that was a canine 'jack of all trades'. With the industrialisation of Europe, herding dogs, while still a valuable part of life in many areas , were becoming less common. However, there was a huge interest in dogs for military & law enforcement work. The German Shepherd was ideal for this type of endeavour but, wisely so , the founders of the breed saw potential trouble on horizon. They felt that breeding of dogs specifically for police & military work by less knowledgeable individuals & without a set of standards for quality control could take the dogs to the extreme , & create unstable, dangerous animals. Likewise, there was a potential to go the other way. Purebred dog ownership & dog shows were already popular, & many people had much ego, money & reputation staked on the ability of their kennels to produce show winning purebred dogs. Many breeds has already suffered from over-breeding & breeding strictly for fancy looks , & thefounders did not want to see the heritage of the great German dogs destroyed in favour of trophies. So they designed the Schutzhund test to maintain the working ability of the breed, & keep balance between form & function.

The first Schutzhund trial was held in Germany in 1901. The purpose of this trial was to emphasize the correct working temperament & ability in the German Shepherd breed, & evaluate potential breeding stock to ensure that they possessed, & thus most likely to pass on the traits that makes the German Shepherd Dog, the incredible breed that it is. Good nerves, sound temperament, self confidence , utility, courage, willingness to work , scenting ability, physical soundness, trainability - all of these are characteristics which the breed's founders strove to develop & wanted to maintain, & all are tested in the Schutzhund exam.

The German Shepherd Dog club of Germany , the Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SV) was founded by the breed's creator, & adopted the Schutzhund test as an evaluation for breeding stock. Even today in Germany only puppies from breedings in which both the sire and the dam have passed the tests and achieved a Schutzhund or herding title, in addition to passing an endurance test and receiving a conformation rating and breed survey, can be registered with the SV, and be truly considered German Shepherd Dogs. Over the years, much of Europe adopted these same standards, which are still in place today and are probably the single greatest contributor to the high quality of the German Shepherd Dogs from Europe. Many breeders outside of Europe have chosen to follow the example of the SV, and still utilize Schutzhund for it's original purpose: to preserve the German Shepherd as a working dog.When the German Shepherd Dog first came to North America after World War I, Schutzhund did not come with it. It was not introduced on this side of the ocean until the 1970s, when a German immigrant set up the first Schutzhund club in the United States. It did not take long for Schutzhund to spread across North America. Today it is enjoyed by millions of people from all walks of life across the world. It is a fun and rewarding activity for dog and handler to enjoy together, and offers dog owners the opportunity to train their dogs and compete with each other for recognition of their ability to train and their dog's ability and willingness to learn. While Schutzhund has evolved into a highly competitive international sport, with local, regional, national and international level competitions held every year throughout the world, most people involved in the sport do so on a hobby level. They enjoy training and building a strong bond with their dog as well as the company of fellow dog fanciers with similar interests.

Today, dogs of various breeds compete in Schutzhund and many other breed clubs have since adopted standards similar to the SV for evaluating breed worthiness in their dogs. It is not uncommon to see Dobermans, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Boxers, Belgian Malinios, Bouviers, Dutch Shepherds, American Staffordshire Terriers and many other working and herding breeds at Schutzhund competitions. However, German Shepherd Dogs remain by far the most common breed involved in Schutzhund and the sport remains an important part of the breed's heritage and future.


The Schutzhund Titles
===============


Schutzhund involves three phases: Tracking, Obedience and Protection. Each phase has specific tasks or exercises that the dog and handler must perform, and each phase is graded on a point system with a maximum score of 100 points in each phase. A dog and handler team must score a minimum number of points in each phase (70 in obedience and tracking, 80 in protection) in order to pass and earn a title. And all this must be done at the same trial on the same day. There are 3 levels of Schutzhund titles: SchH1, SchH2 and SchH3. Each title is progressively more difficult to accomplish as the individual exercises become harder and the overall level of accuracy required increases. The SchH3 is the highest level.

Prior to trailing for a Schutzhund title, all dogs must pass the BH, or companion dog test. The BH is graded pass/fail and includes an obedience test as well as a temperament test. The obedience exam involves two heeling exercises, on-lead and off-lead, the sit and down out of motion, recall with front sit, finish and long down under distraction. The temperament portion of the exam evaluates the dog's traffic sureness, and general approachability and safety. The dog must not show nervousness, fear, shyness or aggression when approached by friendly strangers, other dogs, bicyclists, joggers and the like. Nor may the dog exhibit insecurity or anxiety when left alone in the presence of strangers when the handler goes out of sight for a few minutes. All of these tests are designed to ensure that the dog is safe and reliable and has the proper basic temperament for work, prior to continuing training and trailing for Schutzhund titles.


The Three Phases of Schutzhund
=====================


Tracking
======

The tracking phase begins with a temperament test during which the judge evaluates the dog's general temperament, including his reaction to being crowded and handled by strangers. A shy or aggressive dog is dismissed from the field, and is unable to proceed and attempt to achieve a Schutzhund title at that trial. Tracks are laid at the very start of the trial, under the careful eye of the judge. In the SchH1 level, the dog's handler lays the track, and at the SchH2 and SchH3 levels the tracks are laid by a stranger. Tracks are normally laid on a natural surface, such as dirt or grass, and the tracklayer is to walk at a normal pace. The length and difficulty of the track depends on the title level, with a SchH2 track more difficult than a SchH1, and a SchH3 more difficult than a SchH2. Likewise, the amount of time the track must age before the dog is allowed to start tracking increases at each level.

The tracking itself involves the handler following behind the dog at the end of a 10-meter line, as the dog scents and follows the track. The track includes several turns, as well as man-made articles left on the track by the tracklayer. The dog must scent out and follow the track from start to finish on his own. Help from the handler after the initial command to track at the beginning of the track and after each article indication, is faulty and results in a point deduction. The dog must be methodical and accurate in his work, remaining on the track during both turns and straights, and must indicate the articles dropped by the tracklayer, usually by lying down with the article between his front paws.

The tracking phase is designed to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, his mental focus and concentration, his problem solving skills, and his ability to work independently for a prolonged period of time at a very specific and detailed task without encouragement or reassurance by his handler.


Obedience
=======

The obedience phase is very similar to AKC obedience trials, and includes a variety of heeling and field exercises. Unlike in AKC style trials, hand signals are prohibited and the dog must respond to voice command alone. Schutzhund obedience also includes a gun shot test to evaluate the dog's nerves and sound sensitivity. Dogs that demonstrate gun-shyness, a good indicator of weak character and nerves, are dismissed from the trial.

Heeling is all done off leash, both in the open field and weaving through a group of people. The dog must also perform "out of motion" exercises, in which the heeling dog is commanded to sit, down, and stand while the handler continues to move. Here the dog is required to immediately stop his forward movement and obey the command to sit, down or stand, despite his handler continuing to walk. Recalls are performed as well, and the dog must return to the handler quickly and happily and sit in front, and then to return to heel position at the handler's left upon command.

The dog must then perform a series of retrieves, using wooden dumbbells of various weights, on flat ground, over a 1-meter hurdle and over a 6-foot slanted climbing wall. The dog is also required to, upon command, run quickly straight away from the handler in the direction the handler indicates, and then lie down immediately with a second command from the handler.

Each dog must also do a long down at one end of the field, with the handler several meters away or, in the case of SchH3, completely out of sight. The dog must remain unmoving in the down position for several minutes, despite distractions, while another dog and handler team performs their heeling and field exercises not far away.

The obedience phase tests the dog's temperament, nerves, drive, control, trainability and willingness to work with the handler and take direction from the handler despite distraction, commotion and the presence of other dogs working not far away. It also evaluates the dog's overall physical ability, structural soundness and athleticism.


Protection
=======

The protection test of Schutzhund is very similar to that used for police dogs. All bites are on a padded sleeve worn by a specially trained person called the "Decoy" or "Helper". Contrary to what many people believe, a SchH dog is not merely playing a game of tug-of-of war with the Helper, using the sleeve as a toy. In correct SchH training and competition the dog views the helper as a threat and opponent, and the sleeve an extension of the Helper. The sleeve is simply a necessary piece of protective gear and biting only the sleeve is one of the rules of combat. Dogs will be disqualified for biting the Helper anywhere but on the sleeve. In all exercises, the handler's control of the dog is absolutely essential and is judged mercilessly.... so much so that many seasoned Schutzhund enthusiasts jokingly refer to protection as "obedience under extreme stress".

The protection phase begins with the dog performing a search, directed by the handler, of several hiding places looking for the Helper. When the dog finds the Helper he must guard the Helper by barking until the handler arrives. Here the dog is not permitted to bite or touch the Helper, as the Helper is behaving in a neutral, unthreatening manner. When the Helper attempts to escape, the dog must pursue, catch and hold firmly. The dog is expected to protect the handler when the Helper attempts to attack the handler, and to engage without hesitation when sent across the field to apprehend the Helper that is charging and threatening the handler and dog with a stick.

When required, the dog must engage without pause. Bites must be full and firm and the grip on the sleeve must be calm. The dog must not show any fear, nervousness or hesitation at any time, including when the Helper counterattacks and fights the dog, hitting the dog with a padded stick. During the entire protection phase, the dog must remain in the handler's control, respond quickly and correctly to commands, and disengage immediately when the Helper ceases to resist, or the dog is commanded to do so by the handler. Just as the dog must respond to threat or when sent by the handler, the dog must let go and disengage the fight upon the handler's command. During guards, and the transport exercises where handler and dog escort the Helper to the judge, the dog is to remain focused on the Helper and ready to react, but must not bother the Helper in any way.

The protection phase evaluates the dog's physical prowess and agility, as well as his courage, nerve, fighting instinct and willingness to attack a human when the situation calls for it. Even more importantly it tests the dog's self control, overall temperament, willingness to take direction and follow the handler's commands, and his ability to remain clear headed and obedient even under extreme stress. When appropriate, the dog must engage his opponent with strength, determination and aggression, but he must also refrain from engaging when inappropriate, and must disengage immediately at his handler's command. Dogs that are dangerously aggressive, out of control, or are lacking in nerve, courage and self confidence do not do well in the protection phase.


The Schutzhund Trained Dog in the Home
===========================

By design, a Schutzhund dog is an outstanding companion. There do exist some dogs who are extreme in drive and aggression and do not settle well into family life, and occasionally a dog with faulty temperament and nerves who never should have been bred or titled in the first place can slip through the cracks.

However, as a general rule Schutzhund dogs make great pets, particularly for active people who enjoy going out and doing things with their dogs. Every dog owner, whether they are interested in a dog for sport, work, or family companionship, values the characteristics that are present in a Schutzhund dog; mental stability, physical soundness, confidence, fearlessness and a high willingness to work for and please the handler. Likewise, a Schutzhund dog has been well socialized and well trained, making them safe, reliable and obedient companions who can accompany their family anywhere. Schutzhund dogs are approachable and excellent with children, while being courageous and protective. They are alert and aware of their surroundings, yet are unbothered by unusual sights and sounds. They are neither fearful and timid, nor inappropriately aggressive, standing their ground calmly and confidently without backing down, but not looking for a fight. They are willing to spring into action and work or play at a moment's notice, but in the interim are content to enjoy quiet time with the family. The control that Schutzhund training gives the handler, and the good overall temperament that a Schutzhund dog possesses, allows the handler to take the dog more places and do more things with the dog, increasing their bond and having more fun together.

Even if one is not interested in having a dog for work or sport competition, but instead for family companionship, careful research of breeders and dogs is critical. Most problems that pet owners encounter with their dogs are due to lack of socialization, lack of training or poor genetic temperaments. Socialization and training are the responsibility of the dog's owner, but a good dog starts with good breeding. Most dogs that are fearful, skittish and timid are this way because of genetics. Many times, such dogs that are spooky and easily threatened become dangerous fear biters. In fact, most dogs that are dangerous and unsafe are this way because of an underlying fear of strange people, objects and events. Fearful dogs commonly react aggressively in an attempt to scare away the threat. Proper socialization and training can improve the situation greatly, but the underlying genetics cannot be changed and the truth is that such dogs are never as stable and reliable as a dog that does not have genetically weak nerve and temperament to begin with. The Schutzhund exam does not allow for a dog that shows nervousness and fear, or reacts in a timid and skittish manner. Such dogs are quickly weeded out of Schutzhund, and therefore are also weeded out of the gene pool of breeders who still value Schutzhund as a test of breedworthiness and utilize it as such.

Many people are fearful of "protection" dogs and question how such animals can be safe around their families, the general public, and especially children. While protection work is a part of Schutzhund training, it is done in a very careful manner with the utmost emphasis on the handler's control of the dog. Not only do Schutzhund dogs possess the proper nerve and temperament to make them safe around children, they have been well socialized and their training stresses proper control. While Schutzhund dogs are supposed to be willing to defend the handler when required, more importantly they must be willing to trust and obey the handler's judgment and direction.


How to Get Started in Schutzhund
=======================

If you are interested in learning more about Schutzhund, meeting the dogs and seeing what its all about, the best way to start is to find a local club. Contact the club's Training Director, and ask to come observe an upcoming trial or training session in order to see more of what it is really about and what the dogs are truly like. Schutzhund requires a tremendous amount of time, energy and dedication. This is far more than an eight-week obedience class. The dog and handler team must train and practice regularly, in all types of weather, at all three phases in order to succeed. Even with diligent efforts, the average age of dogs attaining a SchH1 title is around 2 ½ years old. Very dedicated and experienced trainers may be able to then get the SchH3 by the time the dog is three years old, but it is not uncommon with people just starting out in the sport with their first dog to take significantly longer to attain their titles. Sometimes, this can seem like a depressingly long road. However for those with the interest and dedication to stick it out, the rewards are phenomenal and the bond between handler and dog is almost tangible.

If you decide that the sport is definitely something that you want to pursue further, make sure to visit several clubs in your area. Schutzhund is something that requires a club or training group to train properly, particularly for the protection work as athletic decoys who are good at reading and judging dogs are a must. Each club is different, with it's own different "culture". Look for a club who's members you can get along with, because you'll be spending a lot of time with these people. Talk with them and ask a lot of questions.

Consider carefully what your goals for Schutzhund are. Do you want to go all the way and become a national level competitor? Or are you more interested in an enjoyable pastime for you and your dog? Some clubs are for serious competitors only and don't want to waste time on people who just want to have fun. Other clubs are more geared toward the weekend hobbyist, and may have neither the knowledge, experience or desire to work with a member who has more lofty goals. And many clubs have a mix of both and are equally supportive of competitors and hobbyists alike. Look for a club that has the same goals and people with the appropriate experience to get you where you want to go and, just as importantly, make sure that they are willing and able to help teach a novice. Meet their dogs and watch the training to see who's dogs you like and who's training methods and overall philosophy is something that you agree with.

In Germany, every town typically has at least one Schutzhund club, many of which have been operation for decades. Schutzhund is very much a family affair and social outlet as well, and some of the clubhouses and training grounds are so extravagant they are more like a country club than a dog training group. So fanciers have literally dozens of clubs to choose from, and many belong to more than one club and can train at any time, any day of the week. Not so here in North America. Schutzhund clubs are still relatively few and far between and many enthusiasts drive a couple of hours or more each way to meet for training. So while distance is a factor in club selection, it is worth the effort to visit as many clubs as are a within a reasonable distance, and pick the one that best fits your personality and goals. This is far more important than which club is the cheapest or closest.

If you have a dog already that you think may make a good Schutzhund prospect, take your dog to the club and have it evaluated. The Training Director and other members will have the experience and objectivity to give you an accurate evaluation of your dog's Schutzhund potential. If you don't have a dog for the sport, but would like to get one, start first with visiting local clubs and finding one to join. Watch the club dogs carefully, and when you seen ones that you especially like inquire as to the dog's bloodlines and from whence the dog came. Your Schutzhund club members are a great resource to help you to locate the right dog. They can also give you advice based on your skills and experience as to what mix of characteristics to look for in your first Schutzhund dog. They may know someone who has a good dog for you, recommend a breeder, or at the very least can help you sort out bloodlines and other information to help in your search for your future Schutzhund star.

"You're Teaching Dogs to Bite?!"

This sort of thing is the most common, and certainly strongest, objection to Schutzhund. This misconception is very widespread, even amongst those with years of experience in various other dog training activities. And perhaps this type of attitude is understandable when the only thing people know about Schutzhund is seeing pictures of Schutzhund dogs doing protection and hearing Schutzhund people throwing around terms like 'aggression' and 'full, hard bite'.

When I encounter this sort of view of Schutzhund, one thing I can safely assume is that this person has had little, if any, actual exposure to Schutzhund dogs and Schutzhund training, and they most certainly don't have an understanding of what this training entails. In every case I've ever encountered, and there have been many, this negative attitude toward Schutzhund is quickly changed if the person is willing to spend some time getting to know the dogs and the trainers and seeing what Schutzhund training is all about.

The truth is, Schutzhund dogs are some of the safest and most reliable dogs around. How could that be?? Well, let's examine some facts...


ALL dogs CAN bite

============

Schutzhund doesn't teach dogs to bite. Dogs are born knowing how to bite, just as people are born knowing how to hit and kick. It doesn't take training, it's instinct. Nature endowed every animal with a basic fight or fight response. Place a dog, or a human, or any creature for that matter, into a threatening situation and that animal is going to fight to defend itself. For a dog, that means biting.


ALL dogs WILL bite under certain circumstances

The vast majority of dog bites are the result of fear. The dog's inborn fight/flight response has been triggered by a perceived threat and the dog must make a choice of how to react. If placed in such a situation, even the most laid back, mild mannered couch potato family dog will bite if he feels he must.

For many dogs, their first course of action is to try to run away. They will only fight if they feel trapped, without an avenue for escape. When flight is no longer an option, they will turn and fight. What constitutes being trapped varies from dog to dog. For some dogs, they would have to be backed into a corner. For others a room, a house, a fenced yard, a kennel, a leash or any barrier, real or perceived, may cause the dog to feel trapped and thus can make a dog who would prefer to run feel that he must fight.

Conversely, there are many dogs who are likely to choose fight as their first response. This is especially true of dogs who descend from the working breeds, where this 'fight first' attitude was integral to the dog performing it's job, and thus intentionally maintained through generations of selective breeding. These dogs' first instinct is to fight, and they will only run away if their initial attempts to scare away or defeat the threat prove unsuccessful.

Additionally, different dogs have different thresholds for feeling threatened. Dogs that are considered to be of sound temperament are ones that have reasonably high thresholds. It takes a lot for them to feel threatened or that they need to defend themselves. They would have to be faced with a very obvious, strong threat before their fight/flight response would be triggered.

Other dogs have lower thresholds for fear. Some unfortunately are so low that regular, everyday occurrences scare them. They frighten easily, and thus their fight/flight response can be triggered by innocent, unthreatening people, animals and objects. Some can be so hair trigger in this regard that they will respond with aggression to something that startles them or makes them just a bit uneasy, taking a "best defense is a good offense" sort of approach in an attempt to scare the potential threat away before it can become an actual threat.

Dogs of weak nerve and unreasonably low thresholds are unsuitable for participating in Schutzhund training. These temperament traits, and the behaviors that go along with them, will disqualify a dog from a trial. Additionally, one of the huge benefits of Schutzhund training is that it builds confidence in a dog. The dogs are challenged and mildly stressed, and by overcoming each challenge and working through each stressor, they gain more and more self confidence. Starting with a sound nerved, confident dog and then socializing that dog, training him, and conditioning him to be even more sure of himself makes Schutzhund dogs some of the most safe and trustworthy dogs around. Obviously, since most dog bites occur out of fear, the more confident the dog, and thus the less likely he is to feel threatened, the better!

Schutzhund training also helps give a dog more clarity and better judgment. By exposing the dog to different threats under carefully controlled circumstances, the dog learns not only how to respond to a threat but also how to recognize one. Thus he is better able to discern a true threat and becomes less likely to make a mistake and perceive a threat where none exists.


Training doesn't change temperament

Temperament is genetic. The dog is born with it. While different behaviors and reactions to certain stimuli can certainly be affected by environment, the core of who the dog is doesn't change, and cannot be changed by any training venue. If a dog has sound nerve and temperament before Schutzhund training, he will have sound nerve and temperament after Schutzhund training. He'll just have even more confidence, more skills and better training. Likewise, if he is a dangerous fear biter, or one of the rare canine equivalents of an unbalanced homicidal sociopath, he will always be so and training will not change that.

Since dogs in the later category are quickly washed out of Schutzhund training and one of the prerequisites for Schutzhund training is that a dog DOES have sound nerve and temperament, from the genetics standpoint in terms of inherent personality, Schutzhund dogs have a leg up over the general dog population.


Schutzhund Protection: Obedience under pressure

Everyone who's ever trained a dog knows that as distraction level goes up, reliability goes down. The dog who will always sit for the cookie in the quiet family kitchen may act as if he's never heard the word 'sit' before in the middle of the pet store, or playground, or dog park, or in the vet's office when the tech comes in to draw blood. The dog who always walks nicely on leash may start hauling his owner down the street like something out of a Marmaduke comic strip if a squirrel runs past or the kids next door are throwing around a tennis all. The same holds true when the dog is exposed to pressure or stress. Just as we find it hard to concentrate and focus during times of anxiety, so do dogs.

When dogs are exposed to a high degree of interesting, exciting or stressful stimuli, their ability to focus on their handler and concentrate on following direction is compromised, and thus their response to obedience commands decreases. A huge part of Schutzhund training is exposing the dog to those distractions and stressors, and teaching the dog to work through it. No where is this seen more than during the protection phase.

Schutzhund training involves extreme distraction training. The dogs must track despite a half dozen people tromping along next to them. They must focus on their handler and perform a wide range of exercises as part of a long and complicated obedience routine despite the huge crowd of people a few yards away. And then lie down and stay there while their handler walks away, maybe even out of sight, despite that same crowd and another handler/dog team running around doing their obedience exercises just a few feet away.

And that's nothing compared to the Schutzhund protection phase where the dog must search out the bad guy and hold him in place with barking alone, while his handler catches up. No biting allowed at this point because the bad guy is being neutral, and not making any threatening moves. Then when it's appropriate to do so, the dog must engage the bad guy in a fight, stay in that fight when the bad guy starts fighting back, then immediately let go and disengage from the fight when commanded to do so by his handler. Throughout all this, the dog must also perform a variety of obedience exercises with the threatening bad guy just a few feet away. The dog does all this because his handler says so, and it's all done off leash, by voice command alone.

Above all else, Schutzhund is about CONTROL. A dog who is successful in Schutzhund is impeccably trained, and he has had that training tested under extreme situations. He has learned to be able to think and function despite distraction, stress or drive level, and to always be aware of his handler and respond to his handler, no matter what else is going on. Even when the dog wants to bite or feels he has to bite, if the handler says not to, the dog obeys. This skillset and attitude developed in the dog through the training carries over into real life, off the Schutzhund field, giving the dog's owner an extreme level of control over their dog in virtually any situation that could arise.


Schutzhund training is also HANDLER training

Most dog owners simply don't know what it would take to make their dog bite, because they've never been in a situation to find out. If one day they do find out and something triggers an aggressive response in their dog, they and their dog are both going to be totally taken by surprise and completely unprepared to deal with it. This lack of preparedness can quickly turn a bad situation worse.
Schutzhund is a team sport; the team of dog and handler. And thus, it is as much handler training as it is dog training. Through this training, a handler gains an intimate knowledge of his dog's personality. He learns how his dog thinks and how his dog will respond to different people, places and things. He learns his dog's moods, likes and dislikes, what sort of situations might make the dog feel stressed or frightened or otherwise trigger unwanted behavior.

A Schutzhund handler already knows, or can make a very accurate educated guess, how his dog will react to different situations. Thus, the handler can be proactive, avoiding potentially risky situations and stopping trouble before it starts. And if trouble does arise, both dog and handler have the tools to deal with it. Not only has the dog been taught to listen and respond to commands despite what's going on around, but the handler has learned how to keep a clear head, communicate effectively with his dog and manage his dog under all sorts of anxiety laden situations.

A dog of genetically sound nerve and temperament + confidence building + good judgment based upon experience + exceptional training + an educated and conscientious owner = a very safe dog.

It also equals a Schutzhund dog.


Schutzhund Dog = Protection Dog?

The term Schutzhund means "protection dog" in German, and the fact that Schutzhund training involves bite work leads to the common misconception that a Schutzhund dog is a protection dog. In truth, Schutzhund is first and foremost a sport and breedworthiness test for working dogs. It is not meant to be personal protection dog training. Schutzhund can lay excellent groundwork for dogs to be later utilized as security, military, police and protection dogs, but additional training is needed to turn a Schutzhund dog into a real protection dog. Unfortunately, the general public is uneducated about working dog sport.
Many people actually fear Schutzhund dogs because they believe that they are aggressive and have been taught to enjoy biting people and many Schutzhund enthusiasts have been asked why we want to make our dogs "mean and dangerous". Schutzhund and other sport dogs are trained with a decoy wearing a padded protection sleeve, or occasionally a bite suit. To the dog, the decoy is a sparing partner. Many sport dogs have no desire whatsoever to truly harm the decoy. Many do, but in their case it is because they have been taught to view the decoy as a challenging opponent that must be defeated, not because they are vicious.

While the skills taught in Schutzhund are similar to those used for personal protection, security and police K9 work, and many Schutzhund dogs are later converted to such uses, additional training is required. True protection training involves situational training, simulating real life scenarios in strange areas with strange decoys unknown to the dog, and the decoy must be wearing a bite suit or hidden sleeve for protection, to prevent the dog from cuing on recognizable and familiar equipment.

To use a commonly referenced analogy, Schutzhund training is like boxing or martial arts for dogs. A person taking karate classes learns self-discipline and control, in addition to learning all the moves and how to fight. But this training all takes place in a safe, familiar environment where true threat or risk of injury is minimal. It is in this same manner that a sport dog learns protection work. On the Schutzhund field, as in the karate classroom, there are rules of conduct, the scenarios are pre-planned. No one is in fear of their life, or truly trying to kill or severely harm one another.

To expand on that analogy as it applies to Schutzhund dogs versus protection dogs, just because someone has an advanced degree in martial arts and has maybe won a tournament or two, does not mean that he would be able to successfully defend himself in a street fight. He may not have the personal strength of character or ability to adapt his competition skills to a situation where there are no rules and the threat of both inflicting and incurring physical damage is very real. He might, but additional training in more "real life" scenarios would significantly improve his chances of success. The same holds true with protection dogs.

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Cross posted with the kind permission of Chris & Tim Wild
www.wildhauskennels.com


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T.C.E
Regal Puppy
Schutzhund, now called IPO because of the interpretation of the word I believe.
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