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Schutzhund: The Canine Green Berets, Part I

© Deborah J. Myers

So what can you do to keep your Doberman challenged?

As any Doberman owner would tell you, keeping the canine brain in that little knobby skull busy will go a long way towards reducing negative behavior. Bored Dobermans can be naughty Dobermans, barking, digging, and, generally raising a ruckus. But active ones feel fulfilled and content. They are happy because they are learning new skills and, in their minds, performing valuable tasks for you.

Because of its country of origin, Schutzhund training is used for the large, strong dogs of German descent like Dobermans and German shepherds. It may sound prejudiced to exclude other breeds, but the dog’s physical and mental characteristics are a big part of Schutzhund.

Schutzhund is the German word for “working dog.” It is a form of dog training that includes protection, tracking, and obedience. Protection training will not make your dog vicious. It simple means that you will have more control over his natural ability to defend you from threats. You will be able to use him as a tool to provide a means of escape if a burglar were to break into your home, for example.

Tracking is the part of Schutzhund that most owners will probably use the least and it is the hardest to train, according to John Hendershaw, Schutzhund trainer and owner of Two Bears Pet Services (Erie, Colo.). Although it makes excellent use of the Doberman’s keen nose, tracking really has few practical modern-day applications except in law enforcement. Tracking is a lot of fun for the dog, however, and can provide a diversion requiring his skill and concentration. By learning tracking together, owners and dogs bond even closer.

Obedience training is probably the part of Schutzhund that most owners want the most for their dogs. It goes beyond the basic “come,” “sit,” “stay,” “heel” commands and makes the dog one unit with the owner. Unquestioned obedience is expected of the dog; unquestioned respect is necessary of the owner.

Owners considering Schutzhund training must submit their dogs to a professional Schutzhund trainer for personality testing to see if they are capable of completing the training. Of course, top physical condition is assumed.

Only a trained professional dog handler should lead Schutzhund training. You should become thoroughly acquainted with how much training you will need, alongside your dog, for Schutzhund. It may seem glamorous to have a dog who will defend you on command, will drop to the ground at your word, or will track flawlessly; however, Schutzhund is a lot of work. You and your dog must be willing to put in the time it takes to achieve Schutzhund I, II, or, the highest level, III.

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