protection

Biting on a so called bite arm is a exciting game for most dogs and that´s also the way that we´ll teach them this part of the Schutzhund program. It´s a play that appeals to the prey drive of the dog. Devotion, courage and obedience are important ingredients of this game, because the helper will not give up his bite arm for nothing. He will try to chase the dog away or to intimidate him with his voice and attitude.

SchH. I program

Condtions: Numbers of helpers is one. 2 blinds are used. Maximum point score is: 100. Minimum point score is: 80.

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' 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 center line 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 braaf) 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.

SchH. II program

Condtions: Numbers of helpers is one. 6 blinds are used. Maximum point score is: 100. Minimum point score is: 80.

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' 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.
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.

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 center line 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.

SchH. III program

Condtions: Numbers of helpers is one. 6 blinds are used. Maximum point score is: 100. Minimum point score is: 80.

Reporting to the Judge: The handler reports to the judge with the free heeling dog in 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 II and III.
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 dog's holding and barking is the same for Schutzhund I, II and II. 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 escape-exercise is the same for Schutzhund II and III.
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. The defense exercise is the same for Schutzhund II and III.
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 back transport exercise is the same for Schutzhund II and III.
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: 30 points. The defense against attack with lying in wait and guarding of handler exercise is the same in Schutzhund II and III.
The handler steps out of the hiding place with the free heeling dog and goes to the center line 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.

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.