Is the dog course mandatory in the canton of Neuchâtel?

Yes, since 1 January 2021, for anyone keeping a dog for the first time.

Does this apply to you?

Who it applies to

you cannot show that you have kept a dog in the past

Who does not need to do anything

you can show that you have kept a dog before

Proof can be a pet passport, a registration in the AMICUS database, or a municipal dog tax invoice.

The rule in detail

Duration
Eight hours in total: two hours of theory, then a practical part with the dog split into eight periods of forty-five minutes.
Deadline
Start no later than six months after acquiring the dog, and finish within the year following that acquisition.
At the end
A written check of the knowledge acquired.
Who may teach
Only trainers authorised by the consumer protection and veterinary affairs service. To be authorised they must hold a federal dog trainer certificate, the DIC diploma or the MEC certificate, and submit a full application.
How many people
Around five hundred owners a year are concerned.

Consumer protection and veterinary affairs service of the canton of Neuchâtel, as of September 2026.

If in doubt, the official page prevails.

Who offers it in the canton of Neuchâtel

Gervaise Duvoisin

Dog-Motivation Sàrl

La Grande Béroche, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

Next mandatory course: Tue 20 October

Florian Abbet

Société canine de Bouvry

Milvignes, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

Catherine Adatte

Zap Toutou

Le Locle, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

Mary-Claire Béguin

École Noir et Blanc

Milvignes, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

Didier Berchier

CANE'motion

Laténa, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

Viviane Berchier

CANE'motion

Laténa, NeuchâtelFR

Mandatory coursesPuppiesBasic training

All trainers in the canton of Neuchâtel

21 professionals in the canton, mandatory course or not.

See the canton page

Frequently asked questions

How do I prove I have had a dog before?

A pet passport, an AMICUS registration or a municipal dog tax invoice is enough.

Is there an exam?

A written check of knowledge at the end of the training.

When do I have to start?

No later than six months after acquiring the dog.

Neighbouring cantons