Schutzhund training is a long process in which you have to improve your dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills. It’s also a fun sport you can enjoy together. But you should know what to expect before getting started.
With all the training and practice involved in this activity, you must be ready to put a lot of time, effort, and money into it. Beginners should be aware of the commitment required. So you have the right to know how long it can take to train your dog for Schutzhund/IPO trials.
In general, it will take between 1 and 3 years to train your dog for Schutzhund. You can start training a puppy as soon as 8 weeks old, and the minimum age to do a BH is 15 months. So it gives you around 12 months to prepare your dog for the first Schutzhund test, but it’s OK if it takes 2 or 3 years of training.
Keep in mind that the BH is a degree your puppy needs to get into the sport of Schutzhund. Also known as the Companion Dog Test, it’s an evaluation of the dog’s temperament and obedience in public. It’s a prerequisite to IPO titles.
After succeeding in the BH test, most people will do one Schutzhund level per year. However, you can train your dog for IPO 1, 2, and 3 in less than a year. Thus, how long it will take to win all IPO titles will highly vary from one Schutzhund team to another.
What Influences How Long It Takes To Train A Dog For Schutzhund?
Now, there’s a significant difference between 1 and 3 years to train a dog for Schutzhund. So you might wonder why some people can prepare their companion for this sport much faster than others. Well, many factors come into play.
How Often You Train Your Dog?
The first element you should consider is the training frequency and session duration. There’s no secret. Practice and consistency are the keys to success. The more time you spend preparing your dog for Schutzhund, the faster you will get there.
For example, someone that devotes 20 hours per week training a dog for Schutzhund will progress faster than another person who only has 10 hours to invest in this sport. Nonetheless, it’s important not to overdo it and always respect your dog’s conditions.
Resources You Have Available For Schutzhund Training
Not every handler has the same resources to learn Schutzhund training. So it’s another factor that can impact how long it takes. If you have an environment favorable to your progress, it can accelerate the process of preparing your dog for a BH/IPO test.
So it’s essential to set yourself for success by surrounding yourself with the right people, finding the help you need, and gearing up properly for Schutzhund. That’s why you should join a local club right off the bat if you’re a beginner.
The Dog Itself
All dogs are unique and have different conditions. So you can’t expect them to develop and learn at the same pace. That’s another reason why training some puppies for Schutzhund might take less or more time than others.
Protection dogs with the perfect pedigree for this sport will progress much faster than those that have to start from nothing. Some puppies are also easier to train and learn more quickly than others. Thus, it can speed up the process for them. Just make sure to let your dog improve at an appropriate and safe pace.
Your Training Skills & Technique
Then, your input is also crucial to determine how long Schutzhund training will take. If you have no prior experience with dog handling and use a poor technique, it might delay when you are ready for the BH/IPO test. That’s why improving your skills first is essential.
Doing nothing at all is often better than training your dog the wrong way and having to redo everything later on. Schutzhund is a complicated sport, so you can’t learn it alone. Seeking help from veteran athletes and professional protection dog trainers is the way to go.
Examples Of How Long It Can Take To Train A Dog For Schutzhund!
Now that you have a better idea of what can impact your timeline in Schutzhund training, you might want more concrete examples. With the 3 scenarios below, I’m sure you can relate to one to figure out how long it should take to train your dog for Schutzhund.
Fastest Way
Since your dog must be over 15 months old to do the BH Test, you have at least one year of training if you start young. After that, the minimum age for IPO 1, 2, and 3 is 18, 19, and 20 months respectively. So the best working dogs and handlers can master Schutzhund in under 2 years.
As long as you have the right resources, skills, and put in enough time, training your dog for obedience, tracking, and protection doesn’t have to be that long. However, you don’t want to rush through the fundamentals. If you plan to do things fast, make sure to do them right.
Average Duration Of Schutzhund Training
If you’re a beginner, you should probably not aim to train your dog as fast as possible. In general, 2 years should be enough time to prepare for the BH Test. Then, you can take around one year for every Schutzhund level, including IPO 1, 2, and 3.
Beginners will generally take between 3 and 5 years to prepare for this canine sport. So 4 years to improve your dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills is a more realistic goal for most people. It gives you plenty of time to find a club and train him properly for Schutzhund.
Slowly But Surely
The last option is for people that aren’t in a hurry. Maybe you only want to make your dog a better companion, do Schutzhund for plain fun, or you are busy. Whatever your reason is, it’s not a problem to take your time and make sure you are both ready for the BH and IPO Tests.
Schutzhund training doesn’t have to be a quick process. You can lengthen the preparation and practice phase as long as you want to make this activity less intensive and more enjoyable. Training your dog for this protection sport can take over 6 years, and it’s OK.
How Long Are Schutzhund Training Sessions?
In general, Schutzhund training sessions can take up to 8 hours for all three phases. That’s usually once a week, but it doesn’t include the driving time. Then, you have to do tracking at least 3 times per week and train your dog for obedience every day. So you should be ready to dedicate a lot of time to Schutzhund.
When Should You Start Schutzhund Training With Your Dog?
You can start obedience training and preparation for Schutzhund with your puppy as soon as 8 weeks old. The younger you start, the better and faster you will be ready for the BH Test and IPO Titles. But some trainers decide to wait until 6 months old. Just make sure not to overdo it and respect your partner’s limits.
Learn More About When It’s The Best Time & Age To Start Schutzhund Training!
Last Thought About How Long Does Schutzhund Training Take!
Finally, training your dog for the sport of Schutzhund is long and time-intensive. It will generally take between 3 and 5 years, but some people might do it faster or slower. Training sessions can also take forever and last up to 8 hours.
It means this activity requires a lot of dedication. But if you enjoy Schutzhund training, how long it takes doesn’t really matter. So give it a try and start improving your dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills as soon as possible.
Have Fun & Good Training!
