New ZH Dog Training Law, Effective 1 June 2025

Family, Education, Health and Pets
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Forgive me if this has been discussed before - I’ve just found my way back to the forum, so might have missed earlier discussions.

A heads-up for dog owners in ZH canton - the new cantonal dog training law will come into effect as of 1 June 2025.

In summary, all dogs under 10 years old who move to the canton after that date - all sizes, breeds, mixes - will be required to take a practical training course.

Additionally, first time dog owners and owners who have taken on a new dog after having been ‘dogless’ for the last 10 years will be required to take a theory course. A written exam will be part of the theory course.

There are exceptions, so I’d recommend reading through the ZH Veterinäramt pages explaining the new regs. I’d especially encourage all new dog owners* to read the ‘Lernziele’ documents linked in those ages, for both the theory course and the practical course.

If you have questions, contact the ZH Veterinäramt.

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Hey meloncollie. Welcome back!

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Howdy Melancolie, welcome back! :slight_smile:
…or, you can also call and bother the Zurcher Tierschultz to ask for details and recommendations- they are the ones who lobbied for this new law to be passed.

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Hello and welcome back!

Great news. We live in high population density areas, even villages. We can live better together with this.

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Is it just me, or are these dog training laws like an on again off again relationship?

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Could be because you see the differences between the Cantons. ZH is pretty structured and strict with training requirements, and in a couple of weeks the annual leash law in forests kicks in till the end of July.

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Bravo! Glad to see you, meloncollie!

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They were abolished at federal level a few years back but are slowly being reintroduced at cantonal level.
Neuchâtel reintroduced the mandatory dog training in 2021.

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