CHANGES TO THE TRAINING REQUIREMENT AS OF 1 JUNE 2025

Source: Zurich Veterinary Office​

The revised dog legislation in the canton of Zurich came into force on 1 June 2025.

Read on to find out what the training requirements for dogs now are.​​​​​

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTS FIRST​

With the revised dog law, every dog kept in the Canton of Zurich from 1 June 2025 onwards is subject to compulsory training. It doesn’t matter whether the dog is small or large, stocky or slender. It doesn’t matter whether you already live in the canton and are getting a new dog, or whether you are moving there with your dog.

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COMPULSORY TRAINING INCLUDES

• A theoretical training course

  • Mandatory for anyone becoming a first-time dog owner after 1 June 2025. Or for those who have owned dogs in the past but not within the last 10 years.

• A practical training course

  • ​ Obligatory dog training course, which, according to the Veterinary Office, must comprise at least six lessons.

  • Must be completed by virtually everyone who acquires a dog or moves into the canton with a dog from 1 June 2025 onwards. There are only a few exceptions to the compulsory course.

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THEORETICAL TRAINING

The theoretical training comprises a theory course and a final examination. Anyone who fails the theory exam can easily retake it.

 

The training requirement is applicable to

• First-time dog owners who acquire a dog for the first time from 1 June 2025 onwards. And keep it for at least 3 months.

• First-time dog owners who move to the canton with a dog on or after 1 June 2025. And keep it for at least 3 months.

 

EXCEPTIONS

The following people are not required to complete theoretical training:

• People who have owned a dog in the last ten years for at least six consecutive months.

• People who take over a dog from a spouse or partner, provided the dog has been living in the shared household for at least six months.

• Visually impaired individuals who adopt a guide dog from a guide dog school recognised by the disability insurance scheme.

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TIMING​

• No earlier than 1 year prior to the start of dog ownership / relocation to the canton.

• No later than 2 months after the beginning of dog ownership / relocation to the canton.​​​

• Course dates can be found at ‘Dog courses’

• The test may be retaken as many times as necessary until it is passed.

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PRACTICAL TRAINING​

The training requirement applies to

• ALL dogs that, after 1 June 2025, are under 10 years of age, are newly acquired or are relocating to the canton of Zurich.​​

 

EXCEPTIONS

The following persons or dogs are not required to complete practical training:

• Individuals whose dog is over ten years old at the time of purchase or when moving into the canton.

• Individuals who are new to the canton and have already completed practical dog training. This must be of equivalent standard (confirmation from the Veterinary Office required).

• People who take over the dog from their spouse or partner, provided the dog has been living in the shared household for at least six months.

• People who hold a licence as a dog trainer.

• Dogs registered in the central dog database as belonging to an animal shelter. This does not apply to dogs imported by an animal shelter from abroad for rehoming in Switzerland.

• Individuals who own an assistance dog from a school or training association recognised by the disability insurance scheme.

• Individuals who deploy their dog in the army, in the police security service, in a prison, or in the Border Guard Corps; or where the dog is intended for such deployment.

• Livestock guard dogs accredited by the Federal Office for the Environment.

• Individuals who are unable to complete the training for health reasons may, upon application to the Veterinary Office, be exempted from the practical dog training.

• The same applies if an individual keeps a sick dog or one with behavioural issues with which practical dog training cannot be carried out.

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SCOPE

The practical dog training consists of at least six lessons, each lasting 60 minutes.

The lessons must be attended with an interval of at least one week between them.

 

TIMING

• Dogs must be at least six months old at the start of the practical dog training.

• The practical training must be completed no later than 12 months after the dog is acquired or after relocating to the canton.

• Course dates can be found under ‘Dog Courses’.