Dear Valued Club,
On behalf of American Schutzhund, we would like to warmly welcome you to the organization.
If you have not already done so, please feel free to join our private Facebook group page. This group provides a space for members to share training accomplishments, post upcoming training opportunities, upload training videos and photos, and participate in open discussions with fellow members.
PSA/American Schutzhund has gone completely green. The combined PSA/AS website allows you to complete membership applications, register a club, search for and obtain membership numbers, locate clubs, purchase scorebooks, apply to host trials or events, access the rule book, find scheduled events, and obtain trial paperwork.
American Schutzhund has also launched a stand-alone website intended to serve as a one-stop resource for information related specifically to American Schutzhund. From this site, you may also access the combined PSA/AS website. We encourage you to take time to explore the main drop-down menu, where you will find several tabs offering a wealth of helpful information. This website is a work in progress and is continuously being updated.
Some of the available tabs include, but are not limited to:
- New Club Welcome Letter
- Rule Book
- Bylaws and Code of Conduct
- Combined PSA/AS Website
- Scorebooks
- Training Opportunities / Events
- AS Titles / Certifications
- Dog Aggression Test
- BT
- BTX
- Phase A
- Phase B
- Phase C
- Independent Certification
- Trials
- Trial Paperwork
- Certified Helpers
- Social Media Links
- AS Newsletter
- Friends of American Schutzhund
- 2024 Nationals
- 2025 Nationals
Additional Information to Help Clarify Common Questions
1. If a club hosts one trial over two days and a dog/handler team fails the BT or any phase of an AS title or independent certification, it may not be repeated on the second day.
For example, if a team fails the BT on Saturday, it cannot be retaken on Sunday, as the trial is considered a single event over two days. However, if a club hosts two separate one-day trials with two different judges, a team that fails on the first day may repeat on the second day, as the second day would be considered a new trial.
2. To participate in independent scent work titles, the dog must pass the Dog Aggression Test and complete the Independent Environment Evaluation. Once both are completed, the dog/handler team may pursue independent scent work titles in any order.
To participate in independent obedience certifications and stadium-only certifications, the dog/handler team must first pass the Dog Aggression Test and either the BT or BTX. Independent obedience certifications and stadium-only certifications must be earned consecutively.
- Obedience Independent Certifications:
OB1
OB2
OB3 - Stadium-Only Certifications:
SO1
SO2
SO3
3. For the Independent Environment Evaluation, the team must first pass the Dog Aggression Test, followed by the stand-alone sound sensitivity test (gunfire). After completion of these two tests, the team may proceed to the six environment evaluations.
4. If a club is hosting a trial over two days, a team may earn their BT or BTX on the first day and their AS1 on the second day. This is not permitted during a one-day trial, as the BT/BTX and AS1 cannot be earned on the same day.
5. With independent certifications, provided all prerequisites are met, a club may allow an independent certification to be earned on the same day as the BT/BTX. Alternatively, if a trial spans two days, the BT/BTX may be earned on the first day and independent certifications on the second day. This is at the discretion of the hosting club and its scheduling capabilities.
Please note: AS2 and AS3 may not be earned at the same trial, even if the trial spans two days.
6. Before advertising a trial or AS-sanctioned event, PSA requires that the hosting club wait until the event has been posted on the official event calendar. This is a PSA procedure we have been asked to follow.
7. Clubs must verify that all trial participants hold a valid PSA membership. This verification can be completed through the combined PSA/AS website. Please note that PSA memberships may take up to two weeks to process and appear on the master list. If membership cannot be verified online, a PayPal payment receipt may be accepted. If additional assistance is needed, please contact me.
8. Official scorebooks must be purchased by members for every dog competing in PSA/AS. Only valid members may order scorebooks, and the purchaser must be the dog’s owner.
Scorebooks may be purchased when applying for or renewing a PSA/AS membership, or separately. The scorebook application is available on the PSA/AS website. Scores, titles, honors, or certifications will be recorded in the scorebook and signed for authenticity by the certified judge and trial secretary.
If a scorebook is lost or forgotten, a $100 replacement fee must be collected at the trial to cover administrative costs for completing and mailing the scorebook after the trial. There are no exceptions to this rule. American Schutzhund will no longer allow scorebooks to be purchased at trials.
All scorebook applications must include a microchip and/or tattoo number, as well as the dog’s registration number. If a registration number is not provided, the dog will be listed as a mixed breed.
All new AS scorebook applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the trial in which the member plans to compete. If the scorebook is not received in time due to late submission, the member will not be permitted to trial. All scorebooks must be ordered through the PSA/AS website.
9. To remain an AS club in good standing, clubs must host at least one sanctioned AS/PSA event per trial season. If a new club joins after August 1st, it will not be required to host its mandatory event until its first full season. All AS-sanctioned events must be approved by the National Director. For clarification on what qualifies as an event, please contact the National Director or your AS Member Liaison. A valid PSA/AS membership is required to participate in all PSA/AS sanctioned events.
If there is anything I can assist you with, or if you have additional questions, please feel free to call, text, email, or message me via Facebook Messenger at any time.
Sincerely,
Kim
American Schutzhund Member Liaison
Email: AmericanSchutzhund@gmail.com
Cell: 703-655-2847
Facebook: Kim Dooley