Schutzhund is a sport that tests a dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills. In other words, the goal is to get as close as possible to the perfectly trained working dog. So you might think Schutzhund dogs are treated more like robots than pets.
With all the rumors and horror stories out there, this training method can seem very cruel. It’s no wonder why Schutzhund people have a bad reputation. But before judging this sport, let’s analyze if protection dog trainers really want to cause pain or suffering to their companion.
Can Schutzhund Training Be Cruel?
Schutzhund can be cruel, but it doesn’t have to be. Handlers have the option to use gentle training methods and positive reinforcement. So as long as you respect your dog’s conditions and train him properly, Schutzhund isn’t cruel at all. In fact, dogs generally enjoy activities involved in this canine sport.
However, some trainers don’t understand that Schutzhund should be a fun and safe activity for everyone. And as for in any other competitive sport, someone’s ego can take over common sense. Thus, it might lead to cruelty in rare cases.
With that said, most handlers won’t willingly cause pain to their dog or make them suffer. They probably only want to progress as fast as possible and neglect their partner’s well-being or safety on the way. So you should read this article carefully to avoid cruelty while training your dog.
It’s also essential to understand that Schutzhund isn’t the problem. If this sport is cruel in any way, it’s either the handler’s fault or the training method he uses. Now let’s figure out how your dog can suffer and experience pain during this activity!
When Does Schutzhund Training Become Cruel For Dogs?
At some point, Schutzhund training may not be safe or enjoyable for your dog. Even if he’s well-suited for this sport and you don’t want to cause him pain, it can happen. There are usually three situations in which Schutzhund might become cruel.
Too Much or Intense Training.
As you probably already know, improving a dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills require a lot of training. In general, it will take around 2 or 3 years before you can participate in the BH and win IPO titles. Thus, some trainers want to speed up the process.
But too much or intense Schutzhund training can do more harm than good to dogs, especially puppies. Besides that, too much of something might take the fun out of it. So it’s essential to train a dog reasonably and not overdo it to make sure it’s enjoyable and safe for him.
Punitive Training Methods.
Apart from the duration and intensity of training sessions, the techniques used by the handler can be problematic too. Whether it’s because they think it’s more effective or someone told them to do so, some people can train their dog using aversives.
In dog training, the term aversive means you use something unpleasant to suppress, correct, or diminish an unwanted behavior. It includes punishment, physical correction, and anything else that might cause discomfort or even pain to the dog.
Those methods combined with any sport, including Schutzhund, can be cruel. Some handlers and schools of thought still use punishment, dominance, and aversive for dog training. In my opinion, we should avoid it at all costs for the well-being and safety of our loved four-legged athletes.
Pure Cruelty.
Although it’s extremely rare, some trainers willingly cause pain or make their dogs suffer to reach their goals. That’s pure cruelty, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Schutzhund isn’t to blame for the inhuman acts taken by mindless handlers.
You have probably already heard of horror stories such as people training their dog with an electric cattle prod, sharpened prong, or any other way that involves violence. Well, those are not common practices in Schutzhund. It’s just some crazy trainers that are straight-up cruel.
How To Avoid Cruelty During Schutzhund Training?
If you have read this far, you probably don’t want to hurt your dog deliberately. But we might sometimes put our Schutzhund training partner at risk even with the best intentions in mind. Thus, here are some principles you should follow to make sure this sport isn’t cruel.
Respect Your Dog’s Limits & Conditions.
The first golden rule in anything you do with your dog is to know his limits so you can respect them. You won’t be able to avoid cruelty in Schutzhund if you don’t understand what might cause him pain or make him suffer.
That’s why you should visit your vet for a health check of your pup before getting started. Once you have a better idea of his conditions, you can adapt your obedience, tracking, and protection training sessions accordingly.
For example, puppies are too fragile for strenuous exercise and have short attention spans. So doing high-impact physical activity and training them for too long isn’t safe nor enjoyable. But if you don’t know that information, you might do cruel things without even being aware of it.
Use The Right Training Techniques.
As I already said, the training method you decide to use can also determine whether Schutzhund is cruel or not. Positive reinforcement is generally the way to go. It means you should reward your dog with treats, playtime, or praise to reinforce desired behaviors.
This popular training strategy is not cruel, and it’s very effective. You shouldn’t punish, yell, or do anything wrong that might be painful or unpleasant for your dog. Instead, you can use rewards properly to make training as gentle and enjoyable as possible.
Make Sure That Schutzhund Is Enjoyable For Everyone.
The last thing you should keep in mind is the way your dog is feeling. Cruelty isn’t all about causing pain and suffering, it’s also forcing him to do something against his will or that he doesn’t like. So make sure your partner has fun while training and practicing for Schutzhund.
Otherwise, you might find ways to motivate and encourage your dog to improve his obedience, tracking, and protection skills. But at some point, you might have to find another sport you will both enjoy!
Last Thoughts About Schutzhund Training Being Cruel For Dogs!
Finally, Schutzhund is far from being cruel. In fact, it can be a fun activity for both the dog and the handler. The only way this type of training may cause pain or suffering for your companion is if you overdo it or use the wrong methods.
So I’m sure you can find a way to train your dog for Schutzhund without involving any cruelty. It is an excellent sport and opportunity to bond, exercise, and spend quality time together.
If you’re interested in improving your dog’s obedience, tracking, and protection skills, I highly recommend giving it a try. You will quickly realize that there’s nothing cruel about Schutzhund training.
Have Fun Working With Your Dog!