Intro to IGP
The sport of IGP, which used to be previously called IPO and originally called Schutzhund (with the translation being Protection Dog), originated in Germany in the early 1900s. It was developed as a way to select the best dogs to breed from, with it originally being aimed at The German Shepherd Dog. The sport is aimed to help enthusiasts to be able to identify the desirable working characteristics in a dog, and if the dog met these characteristics (by earning titles) it would be deemed suitable for breeding.
Currently the sport is open to any breed of dog. They are able to compete in all or select areas of the sport if they wish, but the sport is very demanding and only a few dogs will pass.
Desirable Characteristics
Dogs that have been put through an IGP program would also very likely be suitable for real life working roles, such as; police work, search and rescue, odour detection (think drug dogs) and so on. Some of the desirable characteristics are;
Trainability
Intelligence
Courage
Bond with its handler
Sense of smell
Physical working ability (strength, endurance and agility)
Desire to work.
The Sport
IGP is a sport that consists of three levels, IGP1, IGP2 and IGP3. IGP1 is the beginner and “easiest” while IGP3 is the advanced level. With each of these levels consisting of three phases: tracking, obedience and character work. Before we get into each of these phases we need to understand that before we can start trialing for our IGP1 there is a temperament test called the BH.
The BH
BH (Begleithundprüfung, [I wouldn't try to pronounce that] translates to "traffic-sure companion dog test") aims to test basic obedience (which will also help you when it comes time to start preparing your dog for your IGP1, 2 and 3) but it also serves another very important purpose, which is to test the dog’s character or sureness around new people, new dogs, loud noises and traffic). A dog that displays excessive fear or aggression cannot pass the BH test and therefore cannot move onto trailing for IGP1. This is a very important test as it eliminates dogs that do not have the stable and level headed traits that are required. Arguably this ensures that IGP dogs are some of the safest dogs you will come across.
Some of the required Exercises
On Leash Heeling
Off Leash Heeling
Heeling in a group of people
Sit on command
Down on command
Recall from a down position
Long down with distractions
Traffic/Sociability test (this is at the judge’s discretion but can include bikes, dogs, people, car horns, groups of people walking into the dog, etc ...)
Phase A - Tracking
The tracking phase is designed to test the dog’s scenting ability, it will also inherently test the dog’s ability to concentrate, and also its physical endurance. Here is how it works: a track layer will walk across a field dropping articles (small items of wood, leather, or fabric), and after a period of time the dog will be put on the track to follow it while the handler will be at the other end of a 10 meter long leash (also known as a tracking line). When the dog comes across an article that the track layer has dropped he/she will need to indicate by either dropping on the article or sitting down in front of it.
As the level of tracking titles go up so does the complexity: longer length, more articles and aging of the track. At IGP3 level the track is at a minimum 600 paces, three articles, five legs, four corners and it gets aged for a minimum of 60 minutes!
Phase B - Obedience
The second portion of the IGP program is obedience, which is usually done on a large field. The way it works is two dog teams will come onto the field and greet the judge, and at judge’s discretion one will go and put their dog in a long down at the end of the field, while the other team will perform their obedience routine. The routine will consist of heeling exercises, dumbbell retrieves (on flat, one over a 1.8m A-frame and one over a 1m jump), send outs, and it even has gunshots to test the dog’s reaction to loud noises. The dog is judged on accuracy and attitude. Dogs that show poor work ethic, little interest, or cowering will score poorly. This is very important as the judges want to see a happy dog that is happy to work and to be with the handler. At the end of the routine, the teams will swap places, and the second dog will perform its routine while the first waits in its long down position.
Phase C - Character work
The character work phase tests the dog’s ability to protect itself and the handler while remaining under complete control. But this phase is a little different, because the judge has a “helper”. The helper’s job is to test the dog and help the judge determine the dog’s performance. The helper will wear a heavily padded sleeve on his arm.
The field is set up with six blinds that are placed in two rows, the helper will hide in blind number six. Once the team enters the field, the dog will be instructed to start searching for the helper by searching each blind on command. Once the dog finds the helper he will indicate by barking but not touching the helper. Some of the other exercises in this phase include a simulated run out on the dog, and an escape. The dog must stop or block the challenge and hinder/prevent the helper’s escape by biting the padded sleeve that the helper is wearing and most importantly the dog must out (or release) the sleeve immediately on command, if not the dog will be disqualified. Just like in the previous phases the dog must show happiness to work and enthusiasm, if the dog shows fear, lack of control or inappropriate aggression towards anyone the team will be disqualified.
Resources
This is a quick overview of what the sport of IGP involves, for a complete list of the rules and regulations, there is some (not so) light reading in the form of a 64 page document that has been provided by the IGP governing body, the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale).
You can also obtain some of the following books on IGP training,
Schutzhund - Theory and Training Methods by Susan Barwig
Advanced Schutzhund by Ivan Balabanov and Karen Duet
How do I get involved?
You can visit the Working Dog Federation of Australia website, WDFA is the leading sport dog organisation in Australia, providing all the administrative functions for the sport of IGP and a platform for all IGP clubs to operate, training workshops and seminars throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Or you can just reach out to WSDC and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
About the Author
Jake C. currently participates in IGP with his Working Line German Shepherd, Rocky and a Belgian Malinois, Lulu, at The Wollongong Sportdog Club Inc., where he is also one of the club helpers.
Currently they have passed IGP2 and are aiming to attempt IGP 3.
