Don't Expect It To Be Easy
Expect To Become Better
WHO ARE WE?
A Schutzhund/IGP Club in Calgary, AB.
K9 Force Working Dog Club is a non-profit Schutzhund Club located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We are a group of dedicated people who devote our time and effort to help our members achieve their goals. Our club provides a training facility, programs and access to competitions.
K9 Force WDC promotes a safe, respectful, and friendly environment to our members. We focus on helping each other to improve and share knowledge. We celebrate everyone’s success as our own.
WHAT IS SCHUTZHUND/IPO?
SCHUTZHUND/IPO
Schutzhund/IPO is a test started in the 1900s in Germany, designed to identify, test and validate the qualities necessary for a successful working dog. But over time it became a sport.
Translated from German, “Schutzhund” means protection dog, yet the name can be misleading as the protection part is only one of the three disciplines which are tested. The other two disciplines this sport evaluate are tracking and obedience.
Schutzhund is not intended to teach the dog to protect the owner, although some skills involved are similar to those that are taught to the police K-9s. Initially, and basically Schutzhund – is a sport and it is meant to evaluate the dogs’ mental stability, endurance, strength, willingness to work, courage and ability to be trained.
Is it worth it ?
Like any sport, Schutzhund requires dedication. This is not the 8 weeks training course, where the goal can be achieved in a short period of time, and the owner and the dog leave upon expiry. Schutzhund requires several years of work. A Schutzhund competitor trains with the club to which he/she belong from 2 to 5 times a week. The average age of the dog testing for Schutzhund I is 2.5 years. The decision to join a Schutzhund Club and start the training must be taken with consideration of where, how and with whom will you undergo training. Schutzhund is a sport that becomes a lifestyle. It takes years of practice and dedication to reach the higher levels. This applies to both: the dog and the handler. Both of them – a TEAM that is trying to create the perfect dance together. Of course, not every dog can go through all the phases of Schutzhund, but if you are eager and enthusiastic go ahead and let your dog be more balanced, happy and useful companion.