Compulsory Courses Canton of Zurich
The Hundetherapie und –schule Bodmer offers the mandatory courses for the Canton of Zurich from June 1, 2025.
Compulsory theory course Canton of Zurich according to §13 of the Dog Ordinance (HuV)
Course duration 2h + written exam.
Content of the course:
- Information about the dog
- Learning behavior
- Dealing with dogs
- Acquisition of a dog
- Traveling with a dog
- Dog & Law
The theory course is compulsory for people who live in the canton of Zurich and are either first-time dog owners or people who have not had a dog for more than 10 years (until 2015). The course and the test must be completed within 1 year before and 2 months after the dog is acquired.
The next course dates:
- June 28, 2025, 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
- July 12, 2025, 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Compulsory practical dog training from the Canton of Zurich in accordance with §13 of the Dog Ordinance (HuV)
The Hundetherapie und -schule Bodmer offers the mandatory practical dog training for the Canton of Zurich from June 1, 2025.
Course duration: min. 6 lessons of 60 minutes each
Learning objectives:
1. promotion of the bond and the relationship
2. recognizing and understanding the dog’s body language
3. to enable the dog owner to train the dog fundamentally
4. animal-friendly and safe handling, even in challenging situations
5. teaching the methods for muzzle familiarization
The training is only considered successfully completed when the dog owner has achieved all learning objectives
Practical dog training is mandatory for all persons who adopt a dog in the Canton of Zurich from June 1, 2025:
- Dogs at the earliest after the age of 6 months and must be completed 12 months after starting to keep the dog or after moving to the Canton of Zurich.
- The learning success check takes place on an ongoing basis and must be documented using the official form.
- There is no practical test to take.
The courses are offered on an ongoing basis.
For dog owners who acquired their dog before June 1, 2025, the following mandatory courses apply:
Puppy training (5 lessons)
Dog age: 8-16 weeks
1. the development of the dog’s bond with the owner,
2. promoting desired behavior in the puppy,
3. socialization with people and conspecifics as well as getting used to the environment,
4. the use of animal-friendly educational methods,
5. the perception and implementation of the duties as a keeper
Young dog course (12 lessons)
Dog age: 16 weeks -18 months
1. achieving basic obedience from the dog,
2. correctly tying and leading the dog on a leash,
3. the animal-friendly and safe handling of the dog in the environment, as well as when encountering people, other animals and other animals, especially wild animals,
4. a continuation and deepening of the learning goals of puppy support appropriate to the dog’s level of development,
5. the implementation of the principles that are important for safely leading the dog when living together with the dog.
Parenting course (12 lessons)
Dog age: 18 months – 8 years
The owner of a dog must attend a training course with the dog in the following cases:
1. She or he took over the dog when it was between 16 weeks and 18 months old, but the dog did not attend puppy training or did not attend it completely. The training course must be attended within one year of completing the young dog course.
2. She or he adopted or moved in with the dog when it was between 18 months and eight years old. The parenting course must be attended within one year of taking over or moving to the country.
3. She or he did not attend the puppy support program or the young dog course with the dog, even though she or he kept the dog at the age in question in the canton.
The learning goal of the training course is to deepen the content of the young dog course appropriate to the dog’s maturity and level of training.
The parenting course includes:
1. in the cases of numbers 1 and 2 above, at least ten practical lessons lasting at least 50 minutes, whereby the lessons must be attended on at least five different days,
2. in the case of number 3 above, at least 20 practical lessons lasting at least 50 minutes, with the lessons being attended on at least ten different days.
The lessons are held partly inside and partly outside the training area.
