MEMBER OF USA SINCE 1978

Many people who are unfamiliar with Schutzhund may think this is "attack dog training". Schutzhund training is made up of dedicated owners working and training their dogs to be socialized, obedient & protective companions.  Schutzhund was designed in Germany as a means of testing a dog's abilities in temperament, health and desire to work with the handler.  There are Schutzhund clubs all around the   world and many people enter their dogs in "trials" to test their working abilities.   There are three levels to Schutzhund (one, two and three), each level having three segments (Tracking, Obedience, and Protection). Training a dog to be titled in Schutzhund can take many years   involving one on one training/working with your dog.

Tracking

The tracking phase of training requires the dog to track a person's footsteps over various types of terrain and changes in direction but must demonstrate absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track.  The dog must also find articles placed on the track, such as a flat wallet then  indicate their locations to the handler. 

Obedience

Obedience  is probably the most important phase of training.  A dog must have a solid foundation in obedience in order to correctly  perform the other phases of a trial.  Obedience phase requires the dog to willingly take commands from the  handler,  both on and off lead. The dog must perform long down, be willing to go out and work away from the handler, jump high obstacles and retrieve  objects delivering them to the handler.   Obedience work tests a dog's working ability .

 Protection

Protection phase is  displaying a desire to  protect their owners from a threatening person. They are trained to "Bark and Hold", and not initiate any biting  until a real threat to their handler has been made. The dog must automatically "out" on command from  the handler, or when the attacker stops motion.  Protection is taught as the last phase of training with Greater Washington, D.C Schutzhund Group.  Our dogs must be  mentally and physically mature,  and have a solid foundation in Obedience.   Protection work is done using positive re-enforcement methods.

The members of Greater Washington, D.C Schutzhund Group welcome you to our member’s   page.    On our members page you will see profiles of each handler and their dogs at work and training of this wonderful sport. We hope you enjoy your visit to our site and we hope  you come train with us and become a member.

This web site is designed by MTLYN Associates.   Send mail to  MTLYN ASSOC@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2001 GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C SCHUTHUND GROUP Last modified: April 03, 2001