Nationales Hundehalter Brevet: NHB
(National Dog Owner's Certification)

What is the National Dog Owner’s Certification ( Nationale Hundehalter Brevet -NHB)? The basis for the "National Dog Owner's Certification (NHB)" is the former regulatory text on the dog ownership competency test. Article 34 of the Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance defines the goals of the training:

1. The goal of the training is to ensure that individuals who want to acquire a dog are made aware of animal welfare and environmentally friendly dog ownership.
2. The goal of the training is to ensure that individuals responsible for the care of a dog know how to train dogs appropriately, understand their most important forms of expression, and handle them considerately.

Who supports the NHB?

 The new NHB is a collaborative idea. It is supported by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV), the Swiss Animal Protection (STS), the Society of Swiss Veterinarians (GST), and the Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine (SVK), under the leadership of the Swiss Canine Education Association (VKAS).

What is the VKAS?

The VKAS is the representative umbrella organization of Swiss training organizations in the field of cynology. Under the name Association for Cynology Education Switzerland (VKAS), training institutions from the cynology sector have joined together to form an association that does not compete with existing organizations. The VKAS unites well-known organizations without restricting their independence. As a professional association, it is committed to species-appropriate and animal welfare-compliant conditions in cynology. As an interest group, it coordinates and represents the common concerns of its members to politics, administrations, the public, and the media. Members are institutions that train people as course leaders, specialists, etc., in the field of cynology and are certified through external quality control.

Engagement and Activities of the VKAS:

a) Exchange of experience and ideas among members

b) Species-appropriate and animal welfare-compliant conditions in cynology on a national and cantonal basis

c) Representation of interests on a national and cantonal basis for its members

d) Services for its members : The VKAS aims to advance vocational training to become a "Dog Specialist."

Do I have to attend the NHB course?

Unlike the formerly legally required competency test (SKN), the National Dog Owner's Certification (NHB) is still voluntary in Basel Stadt and Baselland (except for restricted breeds, or special circumstances). However, due to the rise in dog bite incidents in Switzerland since the SKN was abolished, more and more cantons are now requiring the NHB. The creators of the NHB  hope to motivate dog owners to see that learning about and training dogs is always worthwhile. The dog owner can decide whether to take the "full program" with theory and practice, or just specific modules, or only the practical exam.

Is the old SKN certificate now invalid? In some cantons, dog courses are still required. However, the SKN has been abolished nationwide. With the new NHB, a uniform concept is being pursued that will be valid throughout Switzerland.

Goals of the NHB course: With the new nationwide certification, the participating organizations are pursuing several goals:

• Dog owners should be made aware of their responsibilities.
• The general population should feel that dog owners are making an effort to educate their animals.
• Since the NHB is valid across cantons, it can be more easily recognized by those cantons that require training for dog owners.
• Motivate as many dog owners as possible to attend the course with an attractive short concept.
• The focus is on the theme "Learning with Dogs" and the realization that owners and dogs can
  achieve common goals with a lot of fun and without admonition.

What will I and my dog learn?

The training provides:

• Practical skills to keep a dog under control in everyday situations.
• Knowledge about appropriate handling and methodically correct training of dogs, understanding body signals indicating threats, attacks, insecurity, or submission, as well as consulting specialists in the case of problematic behaviors.

Does my dog also have to attend the NHB course?

Training dogs is an important topic. After all, our four-legged friend should be able to accompany their owners everywhere: to restaurants, shopping, or visits. You can either take charge of training your dog yourself or be supported by a specialist. In any case, it is always worthwhile to achieve a learning goal together with the dog. Both the owner and the dog can be proud of their achievements.

Voluntary Learning in 4 Stages:

• Theory course similar to the SKN (at least 4 live teaching hours)
• Theory exam with multiple-choice questions from all subject areas
• Practical course with 10 lessons of 1 hour each
• Practical exam with external experts.

The new dog owner certification strategy is based on a new freedom:

• Freedom of choice
• Reflection on one's own abilities
• Proper assessment of the dog's training level
• Insight that learning is possible anytime and always
• Commitment to society
• Respect for proper integration into one's environment

In the entire program for the new National Dog Owner's Certification, clear content guidelines are provided. However, there are no regulations regarding the presentation of the materials and the individual program of the theoretical and practical courses. After the training, dog owners and dogs must be able to complete the exam tasks correctly.

Being able to freely choose which part of the program or course to attend is not enough! The appeal to owner responsibility has been made for years with good success, however, always with the pressure of "required" in the background. A different, new feeling should be conveyed—the feeling of togetherness! Dog and dog owner always form a team, regardless of the level of training, social environment, or emotional bond. Training should be fun and aimed at making dog and dog owner a respected team in society.

Why should I take an NHB course?

Dog ownership involves not only managing the dog at home but also in public. Dogs accompany us everywhere in everyday life. This demands a lot not only from the dogs but also from the dog owners, who must responsibly guide their dogs in many different situations, not least to avoid unpleasant situations or even accidents. NHB courses offer human-dog teams a good basis for a successful, shared human-dog life.

Boredom is harmful—even for dogs!

 If you are bored, how does that feel? You fiddle around aimlessly and become restless. This is also how most dogs feel when they have nothing to do for an extended period of time and are under-stimulated. They become nervous, pace around restlessly, and in the worst case—since they have too much energy that they cannot use constructively— might even destroy things. Boredom in dogs can also manifest as barking. Your four-legged friend wants to alert you that something is wrong. Other symptoms include chewing or excessive licking of certain body parts. A noticeably high level of aggression can also be a consequence of under-stimulation.