Schutzhund Dog Training

Schutzhund is a dog sport that was created in Germany during the early 1900s to test whether German Shepherd Dogs exhibit the traits necessary for police-type work, rather than simply evaluating a dog's appearance. Today, many breeds other than German Shepherds can compete in Schutzhund, but it is a demanding test for any dog and few are able to pass successfully.
The Basics of Schutzhund Dog Training

The Schutzhund test has changed over the years. Modern Schutzhund consists of three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. A dog must pass all three phases in one trial to be awarded a Schutzhund title. Each phase is judged on a 100-point scale. The minimum passing score is 70 for the tracking and obedience phases and 80 for the protection phase. At any time the judge may dismiss a dog for showing poor temperament, including fear or aggression.

The training will test the dog in several different skills to aid them in police work such as tracking and protection. Schutzhund dog training begins when the puppy is very young.

Schutzhund Courses

There are many different aspects of Schutzhund training. The course you use will also depend on which videos or obedience program you prescribe to. Most Schutzhund courses will focus on the following, however:

Clicker Training Not many trainers will use a clicker. Its useful for training young Shepherds.
Obedience Obedience is judged on the dog's accuracy and attitude. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that is uninterested or cowering scores poorly.

Tracking The tracking phase tests not only the dogs scenting ability, but also its mental soundness and physical endurance.

Protection In the protection phase, the judge has an assistant, called the "decoy", who helps him test the dog's courage to protect himself and his handler and his ability to be controlled while doing so.

The point of Schutzhund training is equipping dogs with a specific set of skills that will aid them in completing the task at hand with efficiency and haste. Dogs enrolled in official classes may move at a slower pace to give the trainer a better chance to evaluate them.

If youre thinking about Schutzhund training for your dog, make sure you research the training courses and the philosophies involved.

This information is provided to you by Harvey Parker. If you need more tips to get rid of problems with your puppy/dog, then visit this link: http://www.puppydogexpert.com/