Proof of Competence for First-Time Dog Owners

What's it about?

Important Information & Legal Notice (Transition Period vs. Disadvantages)Legal Deadline: From July 1, 2026, the Animal Welfare Act generally mandates a 4-hour theoretical training.Transition Regulation in Tyrol: Courses with only 3 hours of theory (according to the Tyrolean State Police Act) may still be offered within a transition period until the end of June 2027, BUT:Restriction of Validity: The 3-hour course is valid exclusively in Tyrol.Risk of Relocation & Penalties: If a dog owner moves to another federal state, this 3-hour course will not be recognized there. The dog owner must complete the training entirely anew and risks – since the 4-hour course has actually been mandatory under the Federal Animal Welfare Act since July 1, 2026 – in the worst case, an administrative penalty.Timely Completion: Proof must be provided BEFORE acquiring or purchasing the dog. Failure to do so can result in administrative penalties of over €500 in some cases.Recommendation: To avoid any inconvenience, retraining in case of relocation, and additional bureaucratic effort, we strongly recommend that all prospective dog owners directly complete the new 4-hour, Austria-wide valid course.Our Training Offer at a Glance:At SVÖ Landeck Zams Schönwies, we now offer the new 4-hour theory course directly. This ensures that your citizens are legally on the safe side – no matter where in Austria they reside in the future.Course: Proof of Competence for First-Time Dog Owners (according to the Animal Welfare Act & § 6a para. 9 State Police Act)Duration: 4 hours of theory (valid throughout Austria)Course Fee: €80 (incl. comprehensive, 254-page color script as a handout for reference)Venue: Dog training ground SVÖ Landeck Zams Schönwies (6491 Schönwies, Lasalt)Phone: +43 680 330 55 20Email: office@hundeschule-landeck.at