The second of three events in a Schutzhund Trial.
Obedience includes a series of heeling exercises, in the open field and closely in a group of people. It includes a gun shot test to judge sharp noise reaction of the dog. There is also a series of field exercises where the dog, on command, must sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. The dog is also required to retrieve dumbbells on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle and six-foot wall. Finally, the dog must stay in the “long down” lying down while another dog completes the obedience routine without getting up. These exercises are designed to test the dog’s temperament, structural efficiencies, and its willingness to sever its owner.
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Kelly with Ditto, a.k.a., “Piglet” working basic obedience
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What is Schutzhund?
Schutzhund is a German word meaning “protection dog”. It refers to a sport that focuses on developing and evaluating those traits in dogs that make them more useful and happier companions to their owners. Schutzhund work concentrates on three parts; tracking, obedience and protection work.
Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog’s intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog’s mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability.
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The third and final event in a Schutzhund Trial.
Protection tests the dog’s courage, physical strength and agility. The dog must search a series of blinds and find the hidden person (trained helper), and guard the helper. During the test the dog will pursue/catch the helper when an escape is attempted, will have to guard and escort the helper, stop an attack on the handler by the helper, and pass a courage test where the helper is charging the dog and handler with a stick. All grips on the helper by the dog must be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the helper discontinues the fight. These tests are intended to assure that the dog possesses the proper temperament for breeding.
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Bubba Corpren (SchH III, IPO III, BH, CGC) performing the “Bark and Hold” Rotti style
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When a dog successfully completes the first trial, it is awarded a title of Schutzhund I, (SchH I). It can then progress to SchH II and finally SchH III. Each level makes ever greater demands on the dog and the handler in training in all three areas, tracking, obedience and protection.
(Source material from Schutzhund USA)
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Gaye tracking with Apple her German Shepherd
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The first of three events in a Schutzhund Trial.
Tracking requires the dog to track footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction and show absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track. The dog must also find articles (wood, cloth, leather) along the track and indicate their locations to the handler. This is often done under less than ideal conditions with difficult terrain, bad weather, and an aged track. Tracking is intended to test the dog’s trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance.
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