You've just taken on a dog — or you're about to — and you want to know whether you actually need to complete a mandatory theory course, what it covers, and when the deadline falls. This article answers every one of those questions based on the Zürich cantonal dog law in force from 1 June 2025.
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Start the quiz →What Changed on 1 June 2025?
The revised Hundeverordnung (dog regulation) of Canton Zürich came into force on 1 June 2025. The most significant new element for many dog owners: the theory course is now mandated by cantonal law — with defined content, an official examination regulation, and a published list of authorised providers.
In practice, this means: anyone who acquires a dog in Canton Zürich on or after 1 June 2025 and falls within the scope of the obligation (more on that below) must complete and pass the theory course with a provider holding a valid Veterinäramt permit (Bewilligung).
The rules apply canton-wide — in every municipality across Canton Zürich, not just the city.
For a full overview of all training obligations under the June 2025 rules, see our article on the mandatory dog course in Canton Zürich.
Who Must Take the Theory Course?
The theory course is required only for first-time owners and anyone who has not kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years.
More specifically, the course applies to you if you:
- live in a municipality in Canton Zürich,
- keep a dog (or are about to), and
- have not kept a dog for at least six consecutive months within the past ten years.
If you're a first-time dog owner bringing home a puppy, also check out our article on obligations as a puppy owner — it brings all the key deadlines together in one place.
What Does the Theory Course Cover?
The theory course is based on the official Veterinäramt learning booklet (hundeausbildung-theorie.pdf), published by Canton Zürich and available publicly on zh.ch. Note that the primary source is in German only. The course has two components:
1. Self-study You work through the official learning booklet. This forms the basis for the exam.
2. Guided instruction (2 lessons) You attend two lessons with an authorised provider — either in person or online. Both formats are officially permitted.
After completing both components, you sit a formal examination. This too can take place online (web-based) or in person.
Topics covered (per the official Veterinäramt learning objectives):
- Dog needs and social behaviour
- Learning theory and communication
- Dog body language
- Methods of dog education
- Handling in everyday and public situations
- Legal requirements for dog ownership in Canton Zürich
- Permitted and prohibited equipment and tools
- Registration obligations (including AMICUS registration)
The course is deliberately practical: you learn not just how dogs learn, but also what your legal obligations as a dog owner in Canton Zürich are.
What Are the Deadlines?
There are two separate deadlines here — it's important not to confuse them:
Deadline 1: Complete the course — 2 months You must complete the theory course (including the exam) within 2 months of the start of dog ownership. This also applies if you move into Canton Zürich with an existing dog.
Deadline 2: Submit the confirmation — 3 months The course confirmation must reach your municipality within 3 months of the start of dog ownership. This is a separate step that comes after the course.
Where Can You Book the Theory Course in Zürich?
You may only complete the theory course with a provider holding a valid Bewilligung (permit) from the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich. The Veterinäramt publishes a publicly accessible list of all authorised trainers and training centres.
How to find an authorised provider:
- Go to zh.ch — Hunde (page is in German)
- Under the dog training section, look for "Liste der Ausbildenden mit Bewilligung" (list of authorised trainers)
- Choose a provider near you — many offer the course online as well as in person
For guidance on what the course costs, see our article on the cost of the theory course.
Keep in mind: the theory course is the first of two training obligations. After completing it, you'll also need to complete the practical dog course — a minimum of 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between lessons.
What Happens if You Don't Complete the Theory Course?
The Zürich Hundegesetz provides for consequences when training obligations are not met. We are not in a position to state specific fine amounts here, as no cantonal source with definitive CHF figures was available at the time of writing. What we can say: the Veterinäramt and municipalities are authorised to request proof of compliance and to enforce it.
More practically: without the theory course confirmation, you will encounter difficulties when registering your dog with your municipality. The confirmation is part of the documentation the municipality is required to record.
For a full overview of the legal consequences of non-compliance, see our article on the consequences of missing course obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a theory course taken in another canton count? The theory course must meet the requirements set out in § 10 of the Zürich Hundeverordnung and must be completed with a provider holding a Veterinäramt Zürich permit. A course taken in another canton will generally not satisfy these requirements. Contact the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich if you are in this situation and need a definitive answer.
What if I took the course before acquiring my dog? This is explicitly permitted — you can complete the theory course up to 12 months before you acquire your dog. If you complete the course before acquisition, you are not yet registered in AMICUS at the time of the exam. In this case, your trainer does not record the result in AMICUS; instead, they issue you a written confirmation certificate, which you present to your municipality when registering your dog. (See our article on registering your dog with AMICUS for more detail.)
How does documentation work after the course? Once you pass the exam, the result is recorded. If you are already registered in AMICUS, your trainer enters the result in AMICUS within 10 days. If you completed the course before acquiring your dog and are not yet registered in AMICUS, you receive a written confirmation certificate instead, which you submit to your municipality.
Does my dog need to attend the theory course? No. The theory course is training for the dog owner, not for the dog. Your dog does not need to be present during the lessons.
I'm moving to Canton Zürich from another canton — does the theory course apply to me? Yes, the obligation applies from the moment you are resident in Canton Zürich with your dog. The theory course must be completed within 2 months of moving in. Note that for the practical course, a different rule may apply: if you have already completed an equivalent practical course in another canton, you may be eligible for an exemption — subject to confirmation by the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich. There is no equivalent inter-cantonal exemption for the theory course under the current rules.
Can I do the theory course entirely online? Yes. Both the guided lessons and the exam can be completed online (web-based) or in person — both formats are officially permitted under the Prüfungsreglement. In either case, the provider must hold a valid Veterinäramt Bewilligung.
Summary
The theory course is a clearly structured obligation with two clear deadlines: complete the course within 2 months of taking on your dog; submit the confirmation to your municipality within 3 months. If you know a dog is coming, you can get ahead by completing the course up to 12 months in advance. Always book with a provider on the official Veterinäramt authorised list — you'll find it on zh.ch.
Still unsure exactly which courses apply to your situation? The quiz will give you a clear answer in a few minutes.
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.
