Heel off Leash (ten points)

The dog begins the pattern sitting at the heel position. With the command to “Heel!” the handler and dog move forward approximately fifty paces and then turn around and come back. The dog remains at its handler’s left side, working with its shoulder approximately even with its master’s knee. The dog will be penalized for forging ahead, crowding, lagging behind or going wide. Each pattern must contain movement at a normal, slow and rapid pace (the handler may command the dog to “Heel!” at each change of pace), and each pattern must contain a right and a left turn, an about‑turn and a halt. The about‑turn is made to the left, moving directly into the dog. When the handler halts, the dog should automatically sit straight and square. After the structured heeling pattern has been completed, the team moves through a group of approximately four milling people in a loose pattern that must include one right and one left turn through the group. The team halts twice while in the group and the dog should sit automatically. The dog should be aware of the people around it, but should remain undisturbed and attentive to its handler. At the judge’s command, the team moves away from the group off leash. When the dog and handler have walked approximately fifteen paces, a gun will be fired once and then again a few seconds later. The dog should not react strongly to the shots. If the animal shies from its handler’s side, showing fear or stress, it will be dismissed from the trial. The dog will lose some points if it shows aggression or seems gun‑sensitive. If the judge is not sure of the dog’s reaction, he may have additional shots fired. Throughout the entire Schutzhund III obedience routine the leash is left off the field.

^{A commonly used heeling pattern. Schutzhund I and II dogs perform the pattern twice in competition (first on leash and then off) while Schutzhund III dogs perform it only once.}