Questions and answers related to training the German Shepherd

The Schutzhundprüfung [protection dog trial] has established itself for more than 100 years, and is a tried and tested method for selecting a resilient, vital Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] from a breeding point of view. In the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] training is carried out as Schutzhundsport [protection sports] and consequently in the disciplines tracking, subordination and protection service.

Here, the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] has created the Competence-Centers (CC). On certain days, experienced trainers are available to train the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] jointly with interested dog owners.
You will find dates for events at the Competence Centers here!

In addition to the information - both theoretical and practical - which is passed on at the Competence Centers, this website also offers a lot of varied information on basics of training - in particular for protection service.

Please take a look at this here!

Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] supports the breed of a healthy utility dog as described in the definition. Agility and Obedience are excellent methods to be active with a dog and also partially prepare him for the requirements in the Schutzhundsport [protection sports]. We fully understand if you want to carry out this sport with your dog and also appreciate just how much fun this can be. However, we do ask you to understand that the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] concentrates on a specific goal and therefore exclusively offers the training of protection dogs as well as tracking dog trials.

The Competence Centers (CC) offer seminars, training courses and workshops on a regular basis. You will find the dates here. The range of services includes all areas of Schutzhundausbildung [protection dog training], tracking, subordination, and protection service.

Even a small puppy can start tracking training. What is important here is to immediately lay the foundation so that little or no correction work becomes necessary. Therefore, we kindly urgently request that trainers visit tracking training days in a Competence Center with their puppies. You will find the dates here.

The dog is considered a "microsmat"; he “sees” his environment in particular through his olfactory sense - he masters it with his nose. In addition to the training level of the dog, further consideration must be given to surface conditions, weather and wind direction. You can learn all this at a Competence Center (CC).

Preparations for subordination start as soon as you fetch the puppy. The guideline for all disciplines is: You cannot not communicate. Dogs are always learning - and we must make use of this. You can obtain advice at the Competence Centers on how to keep the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] and how to prepare him for subordination training.

Certain key stimuli in protection service are already put in place in the first year. This requires between three to five protection service units distributed over the whole year. Dogs are usually mature enough between the age of 12-18 months (depending on the quality of the dog and the dog handler) so that they can be prepared on consecutive days for the Schutzhundprüfung 1 [dog protection trials 1). Please see that you make an appointment early enough for a seminar at your Competence Center.

Can I only start training with a dog this late or can I start training my dog much earlier - as I have been used to in the past?

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] only makes suggestions. The training and keeping of a dog is solely in the hands of the dog owner himself.

The Trial Rules of the FCI or the VDH apply for the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]

Any trials taken at an association or club recognized by the FCI or VDH are recognized by the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.].

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] will carry out trials with its own performance judges (LR RSV2000) according to FCI or VDH Trial Rules and train its LR [Leistungsrichter (performance judges)] based on the guidelines of these rules.

The Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] encourages collaboration and a close alliance with the service dog sector. Service dog handlers are warmly welcome in all areas of the Association. The transition from a service dog performance judge to a performance judge should be handled as problem-free as possible in the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]. Just how far provisions exist in this regard which would need to be observed must still be examined in detail.

The collaboration is therefore particularly required and promoted as the characteristics of service dogs correspond to the desired characteristics of the Deutscher Schäferhund [German Shepherd] as a utility dog. In addition, the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.] hopes that breeding programs can also be carried out at authorities keeping service dogs.

The ISP RSV2000 is the central sporting element of the Schäferhundverein RSV2000 e.V. [German Shepherd Association RSV2000 e.V.]. This is where dog handlers show their performance with their dogs and, based on the dogs’ own performance, recommend them for breeding. Admission conditions are regulated in the Training Rules.

Unfortunately this highlight will only take place for the first time after the RSV2000 was awarded “trial licensed club in the VDH”.

The training of judges is orientated towards the guidelines of the VDH and is regulated in the Judge Rules.