Protection training is grossly misunderstood by the general public! The biggest misconception regarding protection training is associating it with guard dog or attack training. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The most important point to understand when watching a Schutzhund protection routine, is the relationship between dog and handler. The dog must never bite the trial helper unless either dog or the handler is attacked. Then it must attack fully and without hesitation. Here the real difference between Schutzhund and guard dog - attack training becomes apparent. The Schutzhund dog must stop biting immediately on the command of the handler and guard the trial helper without further aggression. The Schutzhund dog must always be under the absolute control of the handler.

The Schutzhund dog must be friendly and approachable. It does not regard a person as an enemy until the person displays signs of hostility or aggression towards him or his handler. The Schutzhund dog is trained with love, he and his owner work together as a team. The Schutzhund dog is not a nuisance or danger to society. They should never be put in the same category as an attack dog.

A final misconception involves the feeling that a dog will protect his owner "when the chips are down". Most family dogs have been taught not to show any aggression. In addition many do not have the courage to bite when threatened. An untrained dog is an unpredictable dog.

The Schutzhund dog who has had formal protection training is predictable, therefore an asset to his owner and to the community. A well-trained, reliable dog can serve for many years as a family protector and companion. To many competitors this is a family sport. Children are often seen playing with their dogs before and after the dog leaves the protection field. This seems impossible to the uneducated, but this is a product of good breeding and proper training.

Schutzhund dogs are by far the most predictable, trustworthy, and safe animals to be around.

 Layout of A Protection Field

Search For The Helper in The Blinds