You have a dog — or you're about to get one. You know Canton Zürich requires two mandatory training courses. But what actually happens in those courses? What gets tested, how long does it take, and what do you submit at the end? This article walks you through the complete picture.
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Start the quiz →Theory or Practical — Which Comes First?
The theory course comes first — or at least runs concurrently. You can complete it up to one year before you even have a dog, and it must be finished no later than two months after you start keeping a dog.
The practical course follows. It can only begin once your dog is at least six months old, and must be completed within twelve months of acquiring the dog or relocating to Canton Zürich.
At a glance:
| Course | Earliest | Latest deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Theory course | 1 year before acquiring dog | 2 months after acquiring dog |
| Submit confirmation to municipality | — | 3 months after acquiring dog |
| Practical course | When dog is 6 months old | 12 months after acquiring dog |
Both courses fall under the revised cantonal dog regulation (Hundeverordnung / HuV), which entered into force on 1 June 2025. For a full overview of the legal framework, see the mandatory dog course guide for 2025.
The Theory Course — Content, Duration and Format
The theory course gives you the foundational knowledge required to keep a dog safely and legally in Canton Zürich. The Veterinäramt has defined official learning objectives for all approved providers to follow (§ 10 HuV).
What the course covers:
- Dog needs and behaviour
- Safe handling in public: greetings, walks, encounters with other animals and people
- Permitted and prohibited training aids
- Legal requirements for keeping a dog in Canton Zürich — including notifiable breeds and obligations
The course is available in two formats: online (web-based) or in-person (Präsenz) — both are valid, as long as the provider holds a permit (Bewilligung) from the Veterinäramt. For a practical comparison of the two formats, see Online vs. in-person: theory course for dogs in Zürich.
One important requirement: the course must be completed by the person registered as the dog's owner in AMICUS.
The Theory Exam
The theory course ends with a written exam (Theorieprüfung). Depending on the provider format, this is administered either online or in person. The question pool is provided by the Veterinäramt and reviewed at least every five years.
The Veterinäramt holds supervisory oversight (Oberaufsicht) over how exams are conducted and marked.
Can you fail? Yes — and if you do not pass, you can request a re-sit. Appeals relating to a "not passed" result or exclusion from the exam are handled by the Veterinäramt.
For full details on the exam, approved providers, and course content, see the dedicated article on the dog theory course in Zürich.
The Practical Course — What Happens With Your Dog?
The practical course always takes place together — you and your dog — under the guidance of a certified instructor. Your dog does not attend training alone. You are the central learning participant.
Structure and Minimum Requirements
The law requires: a minimum of 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between lessons. If the defined learning objectives are not met after six sessions, additional lessons are required before the course can be confirmed as complete.
The Veterinäramt has published official learning objectives for the practical course (November 2024). All approved providers must work to these objectives.
What is typically practised:
- Dog communication and body language: learning to read your dog
- Walking on a lead and behaviour in public
- Reactions to encounters with other dogs and people
- Everyday situations: recall, waiting, managing stress
Who Is Exempt from the Practical Course?
Mandatory for new dog owners in Canton Zürich as a general rule. Exemptions apply in certain cases — including dogs over 10 years old at acquisition, transfers from a spouse or life partner (dog in shared household for at least 6 months), licensed dog trainers, persons moving from another canton who have already completed an equivalent practical course (subject to Veterinäramt confirmation), assistance dogs from IV-recognized schools, and other specific cases.
The Veterinäramt may also grant an exemption on application if you are unable to attend for health reasons, or if your dog is ill or has behavioural issues that currently make practical training not feasible.
For full details on the practical course and what to expect, see the article on the practical dog course in Zürich.
Is There an Exam — and Can You Fail?
Theory course: Yes. There is a formal written exam. You must pass it. If you don't, you can sit a re-sit.
Practical course: There is no formal closing exam in the traditional sense — but there are binding learning objectives. If those objectives are not met by the end of the minimum six sessions, further lessons are required before the course certificate is issued. There is no way to receive a certificate without meeting the learning goals.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
It depends on when you start — and how old your dog is when you get them.
Example scenario: puppy, acquired at 8 weeks
- Start the theory course immediately (you can complete it before acquiring the dog, or finish it within the first two months)
- Submit confirmation to your municipality within 3 months
- At 6 months old: start the practical course — minimum 6 weeks duration
- Complete the practical course by 12 months after acquisition at the latest
Realistically for a puppy: theory course in months 1–2, practical course in months 6–8. The whole process can be wrapped up in roughly 6–8 months.
Example scenario: adult dog, 2 years old, relocating from Bern to Zürich
- Theory course: complete within 2 months of relocating
- Practical course: within 12 months — the dog is already old enough, so you can start immediately
What Do You Get at the End — and Where Do You Submit It?
After the Theory Course
Once you pass the exam, your provider enters the result in AMICUS — the national dog database. You can log in to AMICUS to verify the entry has been made correctly.
Important edge case: If you completed the theory course before acquiring your dog — which is allowed up to one year in advance — you are not yet registered in AMICUS at that point. In this case, your provider will issue a written course confirmation (Kursbestätigung), which you present to your municipality when you register the dog. The municipality then records the completion on their end.
You then submit the confirmation to your Wohngemeinde (municipality of residence) — no later than three months after acquiring the dog. For details on how to register your dog with your municipality, see registering a dog in Zürich.
After the Practical Course
Completion of the practical course is also documented by your provider — typically entered into AMICUS or provided as a written confirmation. Keep all course certificates in a safe place.
Finding the Right Provider
All courses must be completed with a trainer who holds a permit (Bewilligung) from the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich. The list of approved providers is published on zh.ch.
We don't name individual providers as recommended — the right choice depends on where you live, your dog, and your schedule. Our quiz helps you identify which course type comes next and shows you verified providers near you.
The quiz analyses your situation — dog age, acquisition date, courses already completed — and tells you exactly what to do next.
Start the quiz →Conclusion
The structure of Canton Zürich's mandatory dog courses is clearer than it first appears: theory first, practical once your dog is six months old, everything completed within twelve months. The theory exam is formal — it must be passed. The practical course has no closing exam but does have binding learning objectives. At the end, you record completions in AMICUS and notify your municipality.
Knowing what to expect going in makes the whole process significantly less stressful — for you and your dog.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legally binding advice. For binding information, please contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich.
