The Three Parts of Schutzhund

By Martin Wahl

Tracking: The trainer follows the dog on a 30 foot leash as it searches for foot prints made earlier.	The tracking phase is usually the first part of a Schutzhund trial and begins with a check of the dog’s tattoo number and a temperament test by the overseeing judge to assess the dog’s mental soundness. When approached closely on a loose leash, the dog must not act shyly or become aggressive. The track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as soil or grass. The track includes a number of turns and a number of small, man-made objects usually the size of a credit card, left by this person on the track itself. The handler follows the dog at the end of a 30 foot leash. The dog is expected to scent the track (following the foot steps) and indicate the location of the objects, usually by lying down with the object between its front paws. The tracking phase is intended to test the dog’s trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance. The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are done closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such sharp noises. There is also a series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled by the handler.
In a trial, the judge (light blue jacket) observes both dog and trainer carefully for faults or illegal signalling (via leash).
Returning from the "sit out of motion". The dog must remain under control even at a distance.

Retrieve over a 6 foot wall

Perfect

The dog is required to retrieve dumbbells of various weights on a flat surface, over a three foot hurdle, and over a six foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction away from its handler on command and lie down at a distance of about 50 paces on a second command.

The "long down" (minimum 8 minutes) while other obedience takes place nearby (shouting)

Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog’s temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to work.

The "hold and bark" is the most practiced part of Schutzhund training. The dog must NOT bite until the decoy tries to escape or attacks the dog/owner

The protection phase tests the dog’s courage, physical strength, and agility. The owner’s control over the dog is essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a human decoy), and guarding that decoy (the hold and bark) while the owner approaches. When the decoy attempts an escape, the dog is expected to pursue, and to grip the decoy’s padded arm only once and then hold on firmly. The decoy is searched and escorted to the judge by the dog and owner. When the decoy again attempts to attack the owner, the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation.

The courage test. The dog must bite hard enough to be swung around, suspended from the decoy's sleeve. (But only once, and must release on  command) This is Arco, weighing 98lbs.

The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog’s owner from the opposite end of the trial field (50 or more paces). The dog is sent after the decoy when he attempts to run away. Before the dog can catch the decoy, the judge signals the decoy to turn about and run directly at the dog, yelling and threatening the dog with a stick. All bites during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped with a single command and/or when the decoy stops moving. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog is not a coward and under full control of its trainer at all times.

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Copyright 2001 Martin Wahl, Real GSD. RealGSD1@netscape.net. All rights reserved. Please view his site Real GSD.