NEW DOG LAW
from 1 June 2025
in the canton of Zurich
BEFORE 1 June 2025
All dogs acquired before June 1, 2025, fall under the old legislation:
👉 mandatory courses ONLY for large dog breeds
👉 4x puppy course up to an age of 16 weeks
👉 10x young basic course up to the age of 1.5 years
= Total 14 lessons
👉 if the puppy course was missed, another 10x training course
= Total 20 lessons
AFTER 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, the new dog law will come into force, which includes the following requirements:
👉 1x a 2-hour online theory course with final exam
👉 6x practical training course in group lessons at one course location
= Total 1 online lesson + 6 practical lessons
Theory course online + exam
We offer the theory course for new dog owners before this deadline, but this is not recognized.
Starting 1st June, 2025 , we will also offer the mandatory theory course , for which you must
take and pass an exam . With us, you have the option of completing the course online.
👉 Duration: approx. two hours
👉 Earliest 1 year BEFORE and at the latest 2 months AFTER owning
the dog or after moving to the Canton of Zurich
You can expect an online presentation of various important dog topics that have been set by the canton.
1. Information About Dogs (20 Minutes)
🧠 Dog Senses: Especially the sense of smell and visual stimuli
🐾 Basic Needs: Food, exercise, rest, grooming, social bonding
🤝 Dogs as Social Beings: Development stages, socialization, communication, body language
🧍♀️ Calming signals, avoidance behavior, displacement behaviors
😨 Stress, fear, aggression & the “4 F’s” (Flight, Fiddle, Freeze, Fight)
🚫 Outdated Theories: Dominance, puppy protection, misinterpretations
2. Learning Behavior (30 minutes)
🎓 Basic Learning Theory: Motivation, step-by-step training
👀 Social Learning: Imitation
🎯 Conditioning:
Classical (e.g. fright caused by a noise),
Operant (e.g. reward for calm behavior)
🍖 Reinforcement: Types of rewards, everyday examples
🚫 Punishment: Why it’s problematic, incorrect associations
🔁 Generalization: Why dogs don’t automatically transfer learned behavior
3. Handling Dogs (30 minutes)
🔮 Proactive Management: Stimulus control, stress prevention
🐕 Leash management, greeting, daily structure, rituals
🧰 Allowed Tools: Harness, muzzle (short use only), Halti etc.
❌ Forbidden Tools: Prong collar, Teletac, anti-bark devices etc.
🧩 Structuring Daily Life: Walks, mental and physical activities, rest periods
📏 VETA Code of Conduct: Leash requirements, recall, ability to control the dog
4. Getting a Dog (15 minutes)
⏱ Time and Financial Commitment
🐶 Choosing a Dog: Puppy, adolescent, adult, senior
⚠️ Buying online & unethical breeding
🏠 Preparation: Home, car, basic equipment
5. Traveling with Your Dog (5 minutes)
🌍 Abroad: Entry requirements, health risks
🇨🇭 Returning to Switzerland: Customs, ban on docked dogs
6. Dogs and the Law (20 minutes)
📜 Animal Welfare Legislation: Housing, social contact, exercise, tools
⚖️ Zurich Dog Law: Leash rules, waste disposal, training obligations
🗃 Registration with AMICUS: Sign-up, updates, deadlines
"The theory course should be attended no earlier than one year before starting to own a dog. (...) Conversely, the training should be attended no later than two months after starting to own a dog or moving to the canton. (...) Ideally, the theory course should be attended shortly before adopting a dog."
4x puppy course
The puppy course should be attended approximately four times between the ages of 10 and 16 weeks to teach valuable social behavior. Dogs often become very socially insecure and reactive, or even problematic, if this important and formerly mandatory course is missed. We also teach the first helpful commands.
However, this course will no longer be compulsory from 1 June 2025.
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6x Practical training course
The practical training course (=Basic Course) is mandatory and must be attended six times . It covers important topics. It should begin no earlier than the dog's sixth month of life and must be completed no later than twelve months after the dog's adoption.
🧍♀️🐕 Promoting bonding and relationships
🐕 Recognizing and understanding the dog's body language
🎓 Enabling dog owners to provide basic training for their dogs
👀 Animal-friendly and safe handling even in challenging situations
🤝 Teaching the methods for getting used to the muzzle
Read MoreMittwoch / 18:00 Uhr in Zürich-Manegg Kurssprache: Englisch oder Deutsch je nach Anmeldungen
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