| Breeder Lookup | | | | more comfortable in this area, as many of the |
| Schutzhund | | | | exercises are similar. There is heeling, both on and off |
| | | | lead. The sit, down and stay are also done when the |
| What does protection really mean? | | | | dog is moving. Schutzhund applies it's own style to the |
| Protection training is grossly misunderstood by the | | | | work. The handler and dog work on a soccer size trial |
| general public. A misconception regarding protection | | | | field. Some exercises require the dog to heal under the |
| training is associating it with guard dog or attack | | | | noise of a firing gun. In addition to the normal dumbbell |
| training. Nothing could be further from the truth! | | | | retrieval, the dog must retrieve over several obstacles |
| The most important point to understand when | | | | with varying degrees of difficulty. Down stays and a |
| watching a protection routine, is the relationship | | | | long send away conclude the test. |
| between dog and handler. The dog must never bite | | | | When the Schutzhund dog is working he should exhibit |
| the trial helper unless either dog or the handler is | | | | willingness and enjoyment. The dog should perform the |
| attacked. Then it must attack fully and without | | | | exercises quickly, with spirit and precision. Each |
| hesitation. Here the real difference between | | | | exercise should be taught to the dog to create the |
| Schutzhund and guard dog - attack training becomes | | | | desire to work in the dog. Dogs that are slow or dull |
| apparent. The dog must stop biting on the command | | | | during the work are penalized heavily by the judge. |
| of the handler and guard the trial helper without further | | | | Obedience training also carries a moral burden for the |
| aggression. The Schutzhund dog must always be | | | | trainer of a dog who is also receiving protection |
| under the absolute control of the handler. | | | | training. It is necessary that the dog be reliable and |
| The Schutzhund dog must be friendly and | | | | under control in all situations. To be a safe companion, |
| approachable. It does notregard a person as an | | | | the dog must master walking at his master's side, lying |
| enemy until the person displays signs of hostility or | | | | down and staying on command in any location at any |
| aggression towards him or his handler. The | | | | time. |
| Schutzhund dog is trained with love, he and his master | | | | What is meant by Tracking? |
| work together as a team. The Schutzhund dog is not | | | | Tracking requires the dog to meticulously follow a |
| a nuisance or danger to society. They should never be | | | | person's footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction |
| put in the same category as an attack dog. | | | | and show absolute accuracy and commitment to |
| A final misconception involves the feeling that a dog | | | | finding the track. It must also find dropped articles with |
| will protect his owner "when the chips are down". Most | | | | human scent and indicate their location to the handler. |
| family dogs have been taught not to show any | | | | Often this is done under less than ideal circumstances |
| aggression. In addition many do not have the courage | | | | with difficult ground cover, bad weather conditions and |
| to bite when threatened. An untrained dog is an | | | | an aged track. Many find tracking to be the most |
| unpredictable dog. | | | | satisfying experience in training, when only the handler |
| The Schutzhund dog who has had formal protection | | | | and dog are working together. |
| training is predictable, therefore an asset to his owner | | | | Titles of Excellence |
| and to the community. A well trained, reliable dog can | | | | V Rating |
| serve for many years as a family protector and | | | | Rating given to Shepherds only when they have |
| companion. To many competitors this is a family sport. | | | | accomplished a display of high German standards. A |
| Children are often seen playing with their dogs before | | | | judge will choose only those who exemplify "Vor" or |
| and after the dog leaves the protection field. This | | | | "Excellent." |
| seems impossible to the uneducated, but this is a | | | | VA Rating |
| product of good breeding and proper training. | | | | Rating awarded only to Shepherds who make the |
| Schutzhund dogs are by far the most predictable, | | | | best placements in a regional show or the World |
| trustworthy, and safe animals to be around. | | | | Sieger Show in Germany. "VA" means "Excellent |
| Obedience | | | | Select", thus VA1 is the title given to the Champion or |
| Those who are familiar with A.K.C. obedience will feel | | | | Sieger and Siegerin. |