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Protection training is grossly misunderstood by the general public! A
misconception regarding protection training is associating it with guard dog or
attack training. Nothing could be further from the truth!
The most important point to understand when watching a protection routine, is
the relationship between dog and handler. The dog must never bite the trial
helper unless either dog or the handler is attacked. Then it must attack fully
and without hesitation. Here the real difference between Schutzhund and guard
dog - attack training becomes apparent. The dog must stop biting on the command
of the handler and guard the trial helper without further aggression. The
Schutzhund dog must always be under the absolute control of the handler.
The Schutzhund dog must be friendly and approachable. It does not regard a
person as an enemy until the person displays signs of hostility or aggression
towards him or his handler. The Schutzhund dog is trained with love, he and his
masterwork together as a team. The Schutzhund dog is not a nuisance or danger to
society. They should never be put in the same category as an attack dog.
A final misconception involves the feeling that a dog will protect his owner
"when the chips are down". Most family dogs have been taught not to
show any aggression. In addition many do not have the courage to bite when
threatened. An untrained dog is an unpredictable dog.
The Schutzhund dog who has had formal protection training is predictable,
therefore an asset to his owner and to the community. A well-trained, reliable
dog can serve for many years as a family protector and companion. To many
competitors this is a family sport. Children are often seen playing with their
dogs before and after the dog leaves the protection field. This seems impossible
to the uneducated, but this is a product of good breeding and proper training.
Schutzhund dogs are by far the most predictable, trustworthy, and safe
animals to be around.
Schutzhund I Protection
Maximum point score is 100 points.
Conditions
Numbers of helpers is one. 2 blinds are used.
Reporting to the Judge
Each handler and dog reports to the judge with the dog on leash. The judge
will send the handler and dog to the start position (imaginary center line).
There the leash will be removed by the handler.
Search for the Helper - 5 points
Before the search begins, the judge directs the helper to the hiding place
(blind). The helper must not be seen by the dog while moving into the blind and
while in the blind. The handler begins the search at the direction of the judge.
The handler releases the dog with the command to "Search" (Revier or
Voran) towards the empty blind and then towards the helper. The dog should run
directly to the empty blind and around it with one command. It is permissible
for the handler to give a signal to the dog by pointing in the direction of the
search.
It is not permissible to send the dog directly to the place for the hold and
bark. The dog's name may be used with the command "Here" (Hier) or
"Come". The search for the helper must be shown in normal, or forward.
direction.
Hold and Bark - 5 + 5 =10 points
When the dog reaches the helper, the dog should immediately and continuously
bark. The dog should not bother the helper by gripping or bumping. The handler
is to remain at the imaginary centerline as indicated by the judge. The judge
will signal the handler to pick up the dog. The handler goes to the dog and
places the leash on the dog, holding the dog securely so that the helper can
leave the blind.
The helper is directed by the judge to a new hiding place (blind) about 70 -
80 paces away in such a way so that the dog can not visually observe the
location of the helper.
Free Heeling Towards the Attack - 5 points
On the direction of the judge, the handler steps out of the hiding place,
gets in the basic position, and unleashes the dog. The handler hangs the leash
across the shoulder or places the leash in a pocket. Upon direction of the
judge, the handler proceeds with the free heeling dog towards the helper's
hiding place.
The dog must heel correctly. If the dog does not stay with the handler the
judge will give the order for an early attack. If the dog should leave the
handler before at least one half the distance is covered, 5 points will de
deducted. A partial score can only be given if the handler and dog have covered
at least half the distance towards the helper's hiding place.
Attack - 40 points
Upon direction of the judge, the helper will attack the handler and the dog
without making threatening sounds. The dog must immediately stop the attack
forcefully with a full hard grip. The dog will now receive two hits from the
helper with a flexible padded stick. The hits must be on the dog's thighs,
flanks, or withers. Encouragement via the voice command "That's a good
dog" (So ist bra) is permissible. On direction from the judge the helper
stops the aggression and stands still. The dog must release the grip
independently or releases on receiving the command to let go (Out or Aus) one
time, then guard the helper.
The handler, after receiving direction from the judge, will step beside the
dog and put the dog in a basic position with the command "Sit" (Sitz).
The handler then puts the leash on the dog and heels to a hiding place as
directed by the judge. The judge orders the helper to hide in a designated
blind.
Prevention of an Attack - 40 points
The judge calls the handler out of the hiding place. The handler gets in the
position directed by the judge. The dog has to sit calmly. If the dog appears
restless, up to 3 points can be deducted.
Upon direction from the judge, the helper leaves the hiding place, which is
at a distance of approximately 70 - 80 paces from the handler. The helper
crosses the field in a normal/neutral manner. The handler orders the helper to
"Stop-stand still" (Bleiben sie stehen).The helper ignores the order
and attacks the handler and dog, running directly at them from the front.
On the direction of the judge, the handler releases the dog and send the dog
at the helper to repel the attack. A verbal command such as "Voran" is
allowed. The dog has to repel the attack by pressing directly toward the helper
and taking an energetic, firm, full, and secure grip. When the dog has taken the
grip, the helper will press the dog briefly without applying stick hits. The
helper will cease the pressing upon direction of the judge. The dog must release
the grip independently or on the command "Out" (1 time) and then guard
the helper.
Upon direction from the judge, the handler approaches the dog and the helper
at a normal pace. When next to the dog the handler puts the dog into the basic
position with the command to "Sit". The handler orders the helper to
stand back three paces from the dog and to raise the arms. Then the handler
orders the dog to lay down. The handler searches and disarms the helper. After
the search the handler returns to the dog, orders the dog to sit, and puts the
leash on the dog. The handler heels the dog to the right side or the helper and
assumes the basic position. The side transport to the judge is demonstrated. The
helper will then leave the field. The judge will give a critique and announce
the score. The dog may be put in a down/stay during the critique.
Minimum point score is 80 points.
Schutzhund II Protection
Maximum point score is 100 points
Conditions
Number of helpers is one. Six blinds are used.
Reporting to the Judge
The handler reports to the judge with the dog on leash in the basic position.
After reporting in, the handler takes the free heeling dog to the starting point
and assumes the basic position.
Search for the Helper - 5 points
Upon the direction of the judge, the handler will send the dog to search the
blinds. The handler releases the dog with the command to "Search" (Voran
or Revier) towards the first blind. It is permissible for the handler to give a
signal to the dog by pointing in the direction of the search. The dog's name may
be used with the command "Here" (Hier) or "Come". The dog
has to search the field 6 times (3 times to the left and 3 times to the right or
vise versa).
Hold and Bark - 5 + 5 = 10 points
The dog's holding and barking is the same for Schutzhund 1, 2 and 3. On
direction of the judge, the handler walks to within 3 - 4 paces of the dog. The
judge determines the position of the handler for the call out. When directed by
the judge, the handler calls the dog to the basic position with the command
"Heel" (Fuss). The dog must follow the command immediately. The
handler now orders the helper from the hiding place, give the order "Hands
up" and commands the dog into a down position. The judge determines the
position for the handler and helper. The handler searches the helper and then
goes to the hiding place to search it. At this point the Hold and Bark exercise
is finished.
If, for the call out, the dog does not return to the handler after 3
commands, the handler goes to the dog and free heels away from the helper back
to the call out position.
Escape - 10 points
The handler stands in the hiding place. The dog should watch the helper
closely while laying calmly in the down position. The judge will signal the
helper to escape. The dog should stop the helper quickly with a firm energetic
grip. The judge will signal the helper to stop the escape and stand quietly. The
dog should release the grip independently or after one verbal command, and then
should guard the helper.
If the dog does not stop the escape within a distance of 20 meters by
gripping and holding the helper, the protection will be terminated.
Defense - 20 points
After a brief pause, the judge will give the helper the signal to attack the
dog. Without influence from the handler, the dog must stop the attack with a
firm and full grip. When the dog has gripped firmly, two stick hits with the
flexible stick are to be executed. The hits are permitted only on the non-vital
parts of the dog's body, such as thighs, flanks, or withers. When directed by
the judge, the helper stops the attack and stands quietly. The dog must release
the grip independently or on one verbal command and then guard the helper. When
directed by the judge the handler goes to the dog and sits the dog into the
basic position.
Back Transport - 5 points
The handler orders the helper to turn around and to walk forward. The handler
orders the dog to heel and follows the helper at a distance of 5 paces.
Attack - 20 points
After about 50 paces, on the judge's signal, the helper will attack the dog
and handler out of the back transport without making any threatening sounds. The
dog has to immediately stop the attack with a firm grip. When directed by the
judge, the helper stops the attack and stands quietly. The dog must release the
grip independently or on one verbal command and then guard the helper. When
directed by the judge, the handler walks to the dog. With the command
"Sit", the dog is put into the basic position. If the dog is already
in a sitting position, the handler can confirm the dog's behavior with the
command "Sit". If the dog is in a down position after releasing the
grip, the handler can confirm the dog's behavior with the command
"Down" before giving the "Sit" command. Upon direction from
the judge the handler walks with the free heeling dog towards a designated
hiding place.
Defense Against Attack with Lying in Wait and Guarding of Handler - 30
points
The handler steps out of the hiding place with the free heeling dog and goes
to the centerline starting position as directed by the judge. There, the handler
puts the dog into a sit and holds the dog by the collar. The handler is not
permitted to stimulate the dog. The dog has to sit calmly by the handler. The
dog is to remain in this position until given the command to stop the attack. If
the dog appears restless up to three points may be deducted.
The helper leaves the designated hiding place at a distance of about 70 - 80
paces from the handler and walks across the field in a normal manner. The
handler orders the helper to "Stand still". The helper ignores the
order and attacks the handler and dog from in front. The judge will immediately
signal the handler to release the dog to stop the attack and the handler sends
the dog.
The dog has to stop the attack forcefully and has to show an energetic, firm,
full, secure and calm grip. When the dog has a grip, the helper will briefly
press the dog and then cease the aggression on a signal from the judge. No stick
will be applied. The dog should release the grip independently or after one
verbal command and then guard the helper.
Upon direction from the judge, the handler approaches the dog and the helper
in the most direct route at a normal pace. When next to the dog the handler puts
the dog into the sit position with the command "Sit". If the dog is
laying down after releasing the grip, this position may also be confirmed with
the command "Down". The handler orders the helper to step back three
paces from the dog and to raise the arms. Then the handler orders the dog to lay
down.
The handler searches and disarms the helper. After the search of the helper,
the handler returns to the dog, orders the dog to sit, and free heels the dog to
the right side of the helper and assumes the basic position. The side transport
to the judge is demonstrated. After the handler has reported out, the leash is
put on the dog. The helper leaves the field. The judge will critique and
announce the score. The dog may be put in a down/stay during the critique.
Minimum point score is 80 points.
Schutzhund 3 Protection
Maximum point score is 100 points.
Conditions
Number of helpers is two. Six blind are used.
Reporting to the Judge
The handler reports to the judge with the free heeling dog in the basic
position. After reporting in, the handler takes the free heeling dog to the
starting point and assumes the position.
Search for the Helper - 5 points
The dog's search for the helper is the same for Schutzhund 2 and 3.
Upon direction of the judge, the handler will send the dog to search the
blind. The handler releases the dog with the command to "Search" (Voran
or Revier) towards the first blind. It is permissible for the handler to give a
signal to the dog by pointing in the direction of the search. The dog's name may
be used with the command "Here" (Hier) or "Come". The dog
has to search the field 6 times (3 times to the left and 3 times to the right or
vise versa).
Hold and Bark - 5 + 5 = 10 points
The hold and bark exercise is the same for Schutzhund 1, 2, and 3.
On direction of the judge, the handler walks to within 3 - 4 paces of the
dog. The judge determines the position of the handler for the call out. When
directed by the judge, the handler calls the dog to the basic position with the
command "Heel" (Fuss). The dog must follow the command immediately.
The handler now orders the helper from the hiding place, gives the order
"Hands up" and commands the dog into a down position. The judge
determines the position for the handler and helper. The handler searches the
helper and then goes to the hiding place to search it. At this point the Hold
and Bark exercise is finished.
If, for the call out, the dog does not return to the handler after 3
commands, the handler goes to the dog and free heels away from the helper back
to the call out position.
Escape - 10 points
The escape exercise is the same for Schutzhund 2 and 3.
The handler stands in the hiding place. The dog should watch the helper
closely while laying calmly in the down position. The judge will signal the
helper to escape. The dog should stop the helper quickly with a firm energetic
grip. The judge will signal the helper to stop the escape and stand quietly. The
dog should release the grip independently or after one verbal command, and then
should guard the helper.
If the dog does not stop the escape within a distance of 20 meters by
gripping and holding, the protection will be terminated.
Defense - 20 points
The defense exercise is the same for Schutzhund 2 and 3.
After a brief pause, the judge will give the helper the signal to attack the
dog. Without influence from the handler, the dog must stop the attack with a
firm and full grip. When the dog has gripped firmly, two stick hits with the
flexible stick are to be executed. The hits are permitted only the non-vital
parts of the dog's body, such as thighs, flanks, or withers. When directed by
the judge, the helper stops the attack and stands quietly. The dog must release
the grip independently or on one verbal command and then guard the helper. When
directed by the judge the handler goes to the dog and sits the dog into the
basic position.
Back Transport - 5 points
The back transport exercise is the same for Schutzhund 2 and 3.
The handler orders the helper to turn around and to walk forward. The handler
orders the dog to heel and follows the helper at a distance of 5 paces.
Defense Against Attack with Lying in Wait and Guarding of Handler - 15
points
The defense against attack with lying in wait and guarding of handler
exercise is the same in Schutzhund 2 and 3.
The handler steps out of the hiding place with the free heeling dog and goes
to the centerline starting position as directed by the judge. There, the handler
puts the dog into a sit and holds the dog by the collar. The handler is not
permitted to stimulate the dog. The has to sit calmly by the handler. The dog is
to remain in this position until given the command to stop the attack. If the
dog appears restless up to three points may be deducted.
The helper leaves the designated hiding place at a distance of about 70 - 80
paces from the handler and walks across the field in a normal manner. The
handler orders the helper to "Stand still. The helper ignores the order and
attacks the handler and the dog from in front. The judge will immediately signal
the handler to release the dog to stop the attack and the handler sends the dog.
The dog has to stop the attack forcefully and has to show an energetic, firm,
full, secure and calm grip. When the dog has a grip, the helper will briefly
press the dog and then cease the aggression on a signal from the judge. No stick
will be applied. The dog should release the grip independently or after one
verbal command and then guard the helper.
Upon direction from the judge, the handler approaches the dog and the helper
in the most direct route at a normal pace. When next to the dog the handler puts
the dog into the sit position with the command "Sit". If the dog is
laying down after releasing the grip, this position may also be confirmed with
the command "Down". The handler orders the helper to step back three
paces from the dog and to raise the arms. Then the handler orders the dog to lay
down.
The handler searches and disarms the helper. After the search of the helper,
the handler returns to the dog, orders the dog to sit, and free heels the dog to
the right side of the helper and assumes the basic position. The side transport
to the judge is demonstrates. After the handler has reported out, the leash is
put on the dog. The helper leaves the field. The judge will critique and
announce the score. The dog may be put in a down/stay during the critique.
Defense Out of Attack with Guarding Position - 15 points
The handler leaves the designated hiding place with the free heeling dog and
goes to the designated starting position (center line). The dog sits freely on
the handler's left side or the handler holds the dog by the collar. The handler
is not allowed to stimulate the dog. The dog has to remain calm. The dog has to
maintain the sit position until released with the command to stop the attack.
If the dog does not remain calm up to 3 points may be deducted.
The second helper leaves the designated hiding place at a distance of about
70 - 80 paces from the handler and runs across the field. The handler orders the
helper to "Stand still". The helper ignores the order and attacks the
handler and dog from in front. The judge will immediately signal the handler to
release the dog to stop the attack and the handler sends the dog.
The dog should stop the attack forcefully with an energetic, firm, full,
secure and calm grip. When the dog has a grip, the helper will briefly press the
dog and then cease the aggression on a signal from the judge. No stick hits will
be applied. The dog should release the grip independently or after one verbal
command and then guard the helper.
Defense - 20 points
Same as Schutzhund 2 and 3 defense after the escape exercise.
The side transport is demonstrated with a free heeling dog. The leash is put
on the dog after the handler reports out. The helper then leaves the field. The
judge will give a critique and announce the score. The dog may be put in a
down/stay during the critique.
Minimum point score is 80 points.
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