Unless your profession or area is in real need for true personal protection SchH should not be discounted for PP. It is not SchH that is not “real” (I hate that word) it is the manner in which you train is or is not. If you train in a systematic approach beginning in prey bite development progressing through solid defense and if your dog has the genetic capability fight drive your dog will be a great protection companion. If you are being stalked or live in a high crime infested area then SchH might not be ideal though not counterproductive. A gun isn’t too bad either in that case.

Hi Jim,
First, a good GSD can do anything a Mal can. (well. . .except maybe clear a 9 1/2' foot wall, little buggers can jump) anyway. . .
You seem to have the same goals that I did a few years back. You want a dog for hard core protection and a family companion. This is what I would do if I were you.
1) Get good dog-you got one?, 2) Title the dog in Schutzhund. (If you ever want or need to sell him this is what most people will want to see.) It will also give you a good foundation of training. 3) Make sure that your protection work is "real" in the dogs head. Defense and Civil work are GOOD. 4) Then figure out what your SPECIFIC needs for protection are and work them, and them, only. Why waste your time training skills that you will not need or that are not practical, i.e. carjacking? If some hommie sees your dog in the car and still wants to jack you, dog ain't stoppin' home boy. I do specific drills that suit MY needs. Examples- Decoy trying to force entry to the yard and house. Decoy staging an attack in my office building or parking lot. I'm not knocking PSA or any other sports/certs but, TO ME, it seems like a waste of time. Especially if you are, like myself, a novice trainer. I try to keep it as simple as possible and really nail my personal training goals. Remember also that a PP dog is just a barrier to the bad guys out there, not a solution, in and of, it's self. You have probably though about all of this stuff, but like I said this is what I would do.

In fact, this is what I have done. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Jim A.,

It looks like a fairly good test at all levels to me. I am not sure it is a trial I would want to do though. I never saw much point to requiring jumps except as a portion of the scenario. I prefer the NAPD style trial as none of the scenarios are announced at any level, and the obedience is more functional (like what would be required at home). Most of the NAPD protection scenarios seem to be a little more fun for the dogs, competators, and crowd.