11/28/2024
We are super excited about the new changes to American Schutzhund! Can’t wait to get our BT in 2025 and check out more AS events! It’s wonderful to have so many opportunities for our dogs!
We’ve been teasing something exciting for about a week, and we’re finally ready to share the BIG NEWS! The THREE major announcements are… DRUMROLL PLEASE 🥁🥁🥁
1️⃣ A NEW title: “SO” (Stadium Only)
The SO title will be similar to that of a GPR in IGP. It is Obedience and Protection only—no scent work—and the routines are identical to each three American Schutzhund levels. You MUST complete a full BT or BTX* (*2️⃣) before attempting an SO. Each Stadium Only title has to completed in order: SO1, SO2, SO3.
**You cannot use the SO titles to advance through FULL AS titles. Each AS title (AS1, AS2, AS3) has to be earned in order to move ahead**
2️⃣ BTX
The BTX is an OPTIONAL alternative to a BT (Behavior and Temperament Test), including Protection work aligned with a young dog’s training. There will be three primary exercises, all completed ON LEASH, to test relevant protection skills.
This will be perfect for those with young or less experienced dogs who aren’t quite ready to hit the field in all three phases but want to test their training and their dog’s workability!
**The dog aggression test, environmental evaluation, and obedience test will remain the same as a BT.**
3️⃣ Scent Work Title Rule Change
For those who are interested in independent Scent Work titles ONLY, it is now possible to complete the three Scent Work titles without a FULL BT or BTX. Prerequisites for SW1-3 now include just the dog aggression test and environmental evaluation portions of the BT. You will now also be able to complete all scent work titles in any order you choose.
✨Are you excited?! We will be sharing more information and details on each of these announcements within the coming week, and the rulebook will be updated soon as well. All of these changes will be effective January 1, 2025. ✨🇺🇸
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