New rules in the works:

In 2008 there will be a rule change to the FH2 start. Only one starting flag will be used to mark the track. This will again make the SchH/IPO track starting areas consistent. (2006 GBM)

CALL OUT OF THE BLIND
The command is now HIER-FUSS not just fuss, which is really stupid and a double command.

Schutzhund 1 call-out of the blind
You may do a call out into heel position, or you may walk up to your dog, command FUSS and heel to the call out position. You are no longer allowed to take the dog by the collar.

Set up for the escape
You may tell the helper to step out of the blind. The judge will have marked pre-determined positions for both the helper and the dog. Once the helper takes his position for the escape, you heel your dog to your designated position. When you get to that spot, make sure the dog is in a SIT before giving the command to platz. Once the dog is down, go into the blind.

ESCAPE
Once the dog has engaged the helper, you may keep one hand on the blind as you look out to see when to command "out". Approach your dog when the judge tells you. You may tell the dog SIT as you get into the basic position, but you may not tell the helper to move in any way. Heel away from the helper - the easiest way is tos ay FUSS and pivot to the left so that you're between the dog and helper and then heel smartly away. If you pivot to the right, you're asking your dog to take a cheap shot or re-engage the helper.

Set up for the courage test
Heel up the field for the courage test. You no longer go into a blind first before heeling out to the set-up position; just heel straight up the field. For the Sch1, it is a shorter distance, and the judge will usually tell you when you have gone down the field far enough. Also, you don't need to call the helper out of the blind. Some judges don't care if you do, others frown upon it. 

LONG BITE/COURAGE TEST
You can give a command to GO (voran) but you can not give a command to bite such as "pack ihn" or "packen" or voraus.

SchH 2 — SIDE TRANSPORT
(MESSAGE FROM USA DIRECTOR OF JUDGES July 13, 2006)
There is no side transport to the judge after the attack out of the back transport in either SchH2/VPG2 or IPO2 .
There is no SIDE TRANSPORT after the "Attack on the Dog out of the Back Transport" in SchH 2. There is still a side transport after the courage test.
For the IPO II protection the side transport after the "Attack on the Dog out of the Back Transport" is still required."

There is a SIDE TRANSPORT back to the judge after the courage test.

DISARMING THE HELPER
In disarming the helper, the handler is no longer allowed to physically or verbally move the helper; i.e., you may not say "STEP BACK".
As the dog is guarding the helper, you may walk up and stand in the basic position next to the dog. You may give the dog a SIT command. You then have the option of taking the stick and heeling to the transport position or heeling to the transport position and then taking the stick.
If your dog does an aus-platz and silent guard, you may give the sit command before or after taking the stick. You may either say SIT, take the stick, and then heel to the transport position or say SIT - FUSS, heel to the transport position and then take the stick.
At no time can the command platz be given to the dog in the guarding as this will result in disqualification. At no time can the helper be asked to step back or move other than in the transport.

Disarming after the courage test.
Approach the helper & dog when the judge tells you. Tell the dog to sit, but do not tell the helper step back.
Possible scenarios: say fuss, and pivot to the left and heel with your dog next to the helper.
There is nothing in the rules regarding how you must take the stick. You may take the stick from in front of the helper. You may take the stick as you heel around. Once in heel position, you may have the helper pass the stick behind and take it in your right hand. You may have the helper pass it over the dog's head in front. When you get to the position next to the helper, give your command to move forward. You may no longer touch the helper or guide them by the shoulder as you heel to the judge.

There has been some discussion that on the BACK transport you may not use "transport" as a heel command when transporting the helper, but that you must use FUSS. This is something you may want to clarify with the judge before the protection work commences.

2004 Rule Changes

The 2004 rule changes bring the Schutzhund rules closer to the FCI International IPO program. The VDH Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen - the German Kennel Club) and the SV have adopted the IPO regulations in order to promote unity between the WUSV and the FCI at national and international level.

Currently, the title is still known as SchH however it appears it will be changing to "VPG", or Versatility Test for the Working Dogs (Vielseitigkeitsprüfung f&uumlr Gebrauchshunde).

Both the IPO or the SchH/VPG will be recognized for all purposes, including Breed Surveys and entry into the National competition.

These rules are in addition to IPO rules and do not replace the IPO rules.

RULE CHANGES

BH — Begleithund (Companion Dog) Examination

The BH remains the prerequisite for progressing on to SchH/VPG or IPO. The SchH/VPG A remains as a training degree but is not recognized as a breeding title.

A written test will now be mandatory for those who are first time competitors with a BH dog. This test will be taken before the obedience and traffic portions of the BH.

There is no gun sensitivity test in the BH examination.

Temperament Testing

The Judge will no longer "disturb nor influence in any way the performance of the dog. This does not mean that the performance judge shall not be permitted to get close to the dog and handler, but that there may no longer be any pestering of the dog." For example, in the hold and bark the judge will not stand too close to the dog, although s/he must still be in the immediate vicinity in order to be able to make a proper assessment. The USA office has interpreted this to mean that the judge must stand at least one metre away from the working dog.

During the temperament test, the judge may no longer touch the dog. Other means of irritating the dog shall also not be used. The judge may not "require the dog to be put into close quarters with themselves or others, however, the casual passing of people when presenting themselves to the judge would still be permitted under this directive during the impartiality phase."

There is no longer a waiting period between trials for the next degree. However, for the welfare of the dog, this is interpreted to mean that the dog and handler may trial for a SchH 1 one weekend and a SchH2 the following weekend, not the following day.

Point Ratings

There is no longer the grade "UNSATISFACTORY." All performances below 70% are now classified as "FAIL." Previously, an INSUFFICIENT rating was between 36% to 69% and an UNSATISFACTORY rating was 0% to 35% of the point totals. This groups together all performances below the 70% level and gives it one classification.

Sportsmanship and Special Rules of Disqualification

If a dog is disqualified for lack of control, not coming when called, leaving the handler or field, or refusing to out in protection, all points previously accumulated in that phase will be lost, and no points will be awarded for that phase, and DQ will be recorded in the scorebook.

A handler may be disqualified for alcohol consumption, carrying food or toys, breaking the trial rules, inhumane treatment, or "other breaches of acceptable behavior". In this case, all points awarded up to this time, including those in other phases, will be lost. No points or ratings will be recorded, and UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR will be recorded in the scorebook.

Helper Regulations

The jacket will be required at all times in the protection phase.

Tracking Test

The TR 1, 2 and 3 examinations is now oficially provided for in the new SchH/VPG. The titles awarded are not recognized for breeding or conformation. The Tracking Trial cannot be held as a stand-alone sanctioned event, but there must be four other BH, SchH/VPG, IPO or FH dogs competing.

Changes in LEVELS SCHH/VPG 1 THRU 3

On-leash heeling is no longer required in any of the levels above the BH. The dog will come on the field and be presented to the judge off-lead just as is currently done at the SchH/VPG, IPO 3 level.

SchH/VPG 1

Phase A — Tracking

The new length is now 300 paces (600 to 900 feet). The size of the articles is described more precisely and will be no larger than 3 ½ in. by 3 ½ in.

Phase B — Obedience

There is no "on leash" heeling. The handler reports in with the dog off lead.

The one-metre jump is no longer a brush jump. The top must be rigid, and the entire 1-metre jump is solid.

The scaling wall is added to SchH/VPG 1. The 15 points previously given to on-lead heeling will now be awarded for the scaling wall.

Phase C — Protection

The handler and dog report in off lead.

The blind search is the same. The Hold and bark is the same until the pick-up. The barking should last approximately 20 seconds. At the judge's signal, the handler goes to within 5 paces of the blind. At the next instruction, he can call his dog to heel into the basic position, OR (only at LEVEL 1), the handler is permitted to pickup the free heeling dog out of the blind. The handler cannot take the dog by the collar as in the past. Both alternatives are assessed equally.

The "leash-on-leash-off" routine of the old SchH1 is gone. The dog remains off leash.

The "attack out of the blind" has been replaced with an "escape" and reattack. There are two stick hits as previously.

During the long grip (courage test), the distance between helper and dog handler before the attack should be approximately 30 to 40 paces.

The type and method of searching and disarming is left to the handler. The handler may not tell the helper to put up his hands. The stick may be retrieved in a way determined by the handler.

The side transport is about 20 paces.

The new point allocations are:

Search for the Helper	5 Points
Hold and Bark	10 Points
Escape	20 Points
Reattack	35 Points
Attack on the Dog Out of Motion (Long Grip)	30 Points

SchH/VPG 2

Phase A — Tracking

Track length at least 400 paces (800 to 1200 feet). The size of the articles is described more precisely and will be no larger than 3 ½ in. by 3 ½ in.

All articles are to be provided with numbers that correspond with the track number.

Phase B — Obedience

The off-lead heeling has been replaced with the "Walking Stand".

Phase C — Protection

Reporting in is done off leash.

In the blind search, only 4 blinds are used.

Hold and bark should last approximately 20 seconds before the handler is signaled to approach the blind. The handler goes up to within 5 (five) paces of the blind and when instructed by the judge, calls the dog into the basic position.

There is no search of the helper prior to the Escape exercise.

The length of the Back Transport is no less than 30 paces.

At the start of the long grip, the distance between the dog/handler and the helper is about 40 to 50 paces.

The type and method of disarming is left to the dog handler. There is no raising of the arms by the helper.

Side Transport is about 20 paces.

Everything else remains the same.

SchH/VPG 3

Phase A — Tracking

Track Length: at least 600 paces. The size of the articles is described more precisely and will be no larger than 3 ½ in. by 3 ½ in.

All articles must be numbered, with numbers that correspond to the track number.

Phase B — Obedience

The "walking stand" exercise is no longer required and the "Sit Out of Motion" is now worth 10 points.

Phase C — Protection

The "Bark and Hold" will last no less than 20 seconds.

The length of the Back Transport is about 30 paces.

The distance between the dog handler and the helper before the attack in the long grip is about 60 paces.

The type and method of disarming the helper is left to the dog handler.

There is no raising of the arms by the helper.

Side Transports are about 20 paces.

Tracking Dog 1 (FH 1)

The FH 1 must be at least 1200 paces (2400 to 3600 feet), with 2 (two) crosstracks (the crosstracks may not be on the first or last leg of the track).

The articles will be 3 ½ in. by 3 ½ in. and must be numbered to correspond with the track number.

Tracking Dog 2 (FH 2)

The FH 2 track will be no less than 1800 paces (3600 to 5400 feet , with 2 (two) crosstracks (the crosstracks may not be on the first or last leg of the track).

The articles will be 3 ½ in. by 3 ½ in. and must be numbered to correspond with the track number.