Without a timeline working on your pet in a training session can be frustrating. If you are looking for Schutzhund training information and the right age for your dog to start it, so you are in the right shelter. Let’s have a look at what actually Schutzhund training is:
What is Schutzhund training?
The Schutzhund training also called IPO, which means International Prufungorden training. It is a sport which is categorized into three parts or we can say three skills obedience, protection and tracking. If these abilities are available in a dog’s life so this dog is counted near the perfectly trained dog.
What is the age to start training your dog for Schutzhund training?
If we see USCA means The United Schutzhund Clubs of America so their requirement is based on 15 months old in order to take part in the companion dog title or BH. But still, for the owner, it is important to train the dog for Schutzhund before making them part of its trail. When a puppy is 8 weeks old, the owner can train him for obedience and work skills.
The dog’s age seems to be an important factor. But also some other factors should be taken into account like your dog’s health, temperament, ability for the Schutzhund training and many other elements to consider.
It is possible that your puppy is old enough but still not ready for taking session about obedience. So age is not the only factor to see whether the god is ready or not. Let’s figure out how you can check whether your dog is ready for the Schutzhund training or not
When the dog is mature so the owner can train him in obedience sessions and training. It can be done anywhere between 8 weeks old to 6 months age factor. It will be more suitable and better if it starts when your dog is a puppy. Wait is necessary to make sure that your dog is athletic and obedient.
Let’s take an example, a puppy of around 8 weeks can learn a few obedience commands. It should be noted that dogs which are young in age will give less attention. So don’t give them an overdose of learning commands. A calm environment should be needed where they can learn without any pressure.
After improving the obedience skills of dogs, on the other side engagement and focus skills can be enhanced. In this stage dogs should get a proper diet with all nutrients and exercise is needed. This can take weeks or months after that more advanced level can be approached.
Another phase includes protection work and tracking on the condition that your dog’s health is good and follows commands. You can start this training when your buddy is around 4 or 8 months old.
Other ways to check when your dog is ready for Schutzhund training
We have seen that age is a factor that should be considered while training but we cannot rely on only one factor. Each dog grows and develops at his own pace so let’s see what other factors should be considered:
- Obedience
- Focus
- Temperament
- Drive
Obedience
During the session or process of Schutzhund, it is important that the dog should follow, listen and obey commands. So owner should make sure that the dog should be obedient in order to start training. Patience and training is the key to starting any journey to success.
Focus
Another skill your dog should have before you get into Schutzhund is the ability to focus. It’s a fundamental trait for protection work and training. Thus, make sure your puppy can pay attention to you for long periods while ignoring distractions as much as possible
Temperament
To get ready for this training, the dog needs to be socially able, have ethics, be intelligent and also easy to be trained. For protection training courage and confidence should be present. Other traits can be improved but the majority of traits are innate.
Drive
If the dog does not engage with you or play so e is not the right one to go with in Schutzhund. The natural drive is important for Protection training.
What breed is best for Schutzhund training?
This training was for the German Shepherd Dog initially but now many other breeds have taken part in like:
- Beauceron
- Dutch Shepherds
- Belgian Malinois
- Boxers
- Rottweilers
- Bouvier de Flandres
- Belgian Tervueren and any more
When training should be stopped for Schutzhund?
When the owner’s dog is 7 years old so time and intensity should be adjusted for Schutzhund training sessions. it should be noted that serious training should be stopped when your dog’s mind and body can’t pay attention anymore. The vet should be consulted to make sure that your dog is good to go with Schutzhund training or not. Less energy will be present in old dogs and they can become fragile more.
Is this training dangerous for old dogs?
Regardless of the dog’s age, it has many risks which include accidents, injuries and tooth tear. So when the dog is of old age so the chances of injuries increase as f his health and physiology. It can be counted dangerous for dogs of older age.
But it does not mean that you should stop tanning at a certain age. Just don’t give them heavy tasks and exercises to work on.
Final thoughts
So older age is not of concern only good health should be there. The more the dog is young the more chances to be active in this whole training. Most of the dogs stop Schutzhund training when they reach the age of 7 to 9 years. Just make sure about his health, and diet and see what he likes and dislikes.
The dog should get what is demanded in order to give the best results in training. There should be patience and time is required to make the dog the best in its training. Love and care are needed throughout the process. Make sure to give them proper time in understanding each step of Schutzhund training.
