If you've ever watched a Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd working on a hay field with their nose down and wondered what exactly they were doing, there's a good chance you were watching IGP Nosework Tracking

If you've ever watch a working breed heeling so beautifully beside the handler with the highest level of focus you have ever seen, you were probably watching IGP Obedience training.

If you've ever seen a dog running around triangular tents and then barking at a man standing inside one, there is a high probability you were watching IGP Protection testing of service breeds.

Maybe you've heard it called Schutzhund.

Maybe you've heard someone talk about IPO.

Or you've seen the social media videos of dogs tracking across a field, performing precise obedience exercises and then working in protection and thought:

"What dog sport is that?"

It's IGP which stands for in German "International Gebrauchshund Prufung" which means International Obedience Test

Even though many who are familiar with IGP think of it as a protection dog sport, In my humble opinion it is an Obedience test for working breeds.

We are not training our dogs to be aggressive. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We are training our dogs to be under control in all situations. IGP dogs must pass an Obedience and Temperament test before they can challenge a tracking and protection test. More to come on why I think of Protection Dog Sport as an Obedience test ...

I(f you're new to working dog sports, it can look complicated at first.

But the basic idea is actually quite simple.

IGP tests the relationship between a dog and handler across three very different disciplines: tracking, obedience and protection.

What makes IGP so interesting is that the same dog has to learn how to use its nose independently, work with precision, control and a desire to please its handler in obedience, and then demonstrate confidence, courage and fighting drive all under control in the protection phase.

Where did IGP Start?

The sport has its roots in Germany and was originally developed as a way of evaluating working qualities in their police and military dogs, particularly German Shepherds. Today, it is practiced internationally as a competitive dog sport by a variety of working breeds and it is known to be a breeding test for professional registered breeders.

The Three Phases of IGP

There are three phases:

1. Phase A — Tracking
2. Phase B — Obedience
3. Phase C — Protection

Each phase tests something different.

And that is one of the things I love about IGP.

A dog can be extremely talented in one area, but to progress through the sport, you need to develop and train the entire dog.

Phase A: Tracking

Tracking is often the phase that surprises people who are new to IGP.

The dog isn't simply following a scent trail because it smells something interesting.

The goal is controlled, accurate deep nose footstep tracking of a human-laid track while indicating articles placed on the track. The current FCI rules increase the difficulty as the dog progresses through the levels of IGP 1, 2 and 3.

As the levels progress, the tracks become longer and more demanding, and the dog works tracks laid by another person.

The dog has to learn to stay committed to the scent, work through changes in the track and indicate the articles it finds.

And here's something I think people sometimes misunderstand:

Tracking isn't about how fast your dog can run and air scent.

Good tracking requires concentration and a true understanding of the disturbed terrain vs undisturbed.

For me, developing a good tracking dog is about teaching the dog to become confident in solving the problem rather than constantly relying on the handler.

That independence is one of the things that makes tracking so fascinating.

Phase B: Obedience

This is the part most people recognize as traditional obedience—but IGP obedience has its own demands.

The dog must work with the handler through a series of exercises requiring unwavering focus, precision, control, responsiveness, harmony and enthusiasm.

Depending on the level, the work includes exercises such as heeling, recalls, positions, retrieving on flat, over jumps and scaling walls as well as other required exercises.

But the goal isn't simply to have a dog that knows the commands.

The dog has to work with the handler under trial conditions.

That means distractions, pressure and the environment all become part of the challenge.

This is where the relationship between dog and handler becomes incredibly important.

1. I want the dog to understand what I'm asking.
2. I want the dog to want to work.
3. And I want the dog to be able to maintain that connection and enjoyment even when the environment becomes challenging and stimulating.

This is one of the reasons I talk so much about relationship before obedience.

You can teach a dog a behaviour.

Building a dog that wants to work with you and please you is something much deeper.

Phase C: Protection

Protection is probably the part of IGP that gets the most attention from people watching the sport for the first time.

But it is also one of the most misunderstood.

The protection phase isn't about making a dog aggressive.

In fact, uncontrolled aggression is not the goal.

The dog is evaluated on controlled work, obedience, courage and the ability to respond to the handler during the exercises. The FCI rules include specific requirements around the dog's behaviour and control throughout the protection phase.

The person the dog is searching, finding and guarding in this phase is called the helper or decoy.

The dog learns how to engage in the exercises with the decoy while remaining under the handler's control.

One of the things that makes good protection work so impressive is the dog's ability to switch between intense work and obedience.

That balance is what we're looking for.

Drive without control isn't acceptable.

Is IGP Just for German Shepherds and Malinois?

No.

German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are certainly common in the sport, but they aren't the only breeds that participate.

Other working breeds, including Rottweilers, Dobermans, Boxers, Bouviers, Giant Schnauzers and others alternate herding breeds can also be seen in IGP.

That doesn't mean every dog is suited to IGP.

And that's an important distinction.

A dog doesn't need to be a champion before you can explore the sport.

But you do need to consider the individual dog's temperament, physical ability, motivation, confidence, trainability and desire to work.

Some dogs are naturally very well suited to the demands of the sport.

Others may enjoy certain aspects of IGP without necessarily being suited to competition.

And that's perfectly okay. All handlers can enjoy learning, watching and the camaraderie.

What Does It Take to Train an IGP Dog?

A lot more than teaching commands.

This is where people sometimes underestimate the sport.

You're developing multiple skills at the same time.

Your dog needs to learn:

• How to use its nose

• How to concentrate

• How to work independently

• How to engage with the handler

• How to control excitement

• How to develop physical skills

• How to work around distractions

• How to understand clear communication

• How to channel drive

• How to recover from pressure

• How to perform under competition conditions

And the handler has just as much to learn.

You're not only training your dog. You're learning how to train your dog.

What Is IGP 1, IGP 2 and IGP 3?

IGP has three levels of difficulty: IGP 1, IGP 2 and IGP 3.

Each level builds on the previous one and increases the demands placed on the dog and handler. Under the current FCI regulations, each level includes all three phases: tracking, obedience and protection.

The first step toward entering IGP competition is generally the BH-VT, or Companion Dog Test, which evaluates basic obedience and behaviour in a public setting.

From there, the handler and dog can begin working toward the IGP levels.

You don't have to wake up one morning and decide you're going to train for IGP 3.

Good IGP training starts with foundations.

What Makes a Good IGP Dog?

There isn't one single characteristic that makes a great sport dog.

I look at the whole dog.

1.Drive matters.

But so does control.

2.Confidence and courage matters.

But so does the ability to think.

3.Motivation matters.

But so does trainability.

4.Physical ability matters.

But so does the relationship with the handler.

And that's why I don't believe in trying to make every dog fit the same training formula.

The dog in front of you should determine how you approach the training.

• Some dogs need more confidence.
• Some need more control.
• Some need more engagement.
• Some need help learning how to channel their drive.
• And some already have plenty of drive but need to learn how to think when they're excited.

That's the art of training.

Do You Need an IGP Breed of Dog to Enjoy the Sport?

Absolutely not.

One of the things I enjoy about IGP is that there are many different goals you can have.

• You may want to compete.
• You may simply want to develop your dog's tracking ability.
• You may enjoy obedience.
• You may have a young working dog and want to build the foundations for future sport.
• Or you may simply enjoy challenging yourself and your dog.
• You don't have to know where the journey will end before you begin.

Start by learning.

Start building your relationship.

Start developing the foundations.

Then see where your dog takes you.

Why IGP?

For me, one of the greatest things about IGP is that it challenges the whole dog and the whole handler.

• Tracking asks the dog to work independently.
• Obedience asks the dog to work closely with the handler.
• Protection asks the dog to demonstrate drive, courage and control.
• And all three require communication between the dog and handler.
• That's what makes IGP much more than a collection of exercises.

It's a partnership.

And that partnership is what I enjoy most about training sport dogs.

Thinking About Getting Started?

If you're curious about IGP, my biggest piece of advice is simple:

• Go watch a training session.
• Talk to experienced handlers.
• Find a knowledgeable trainer.
• And most importantly, have your dog evaluated before deciding what your goals should be.
• Don't look at another person's finished competition dog and assume you need to train your dog exactly the same way.
• Your dog is an individual.
• Learn what you have.
• Build the strengths.
• Work on the weaknesses.
• And develop the relationship along the way.

You may discover that IGP isn't for you—and that's okay.

Or you may discover a sport that completely changes the way you and your dog work together.

For me, that's what makes it so rewarding.

Christine Kisser
Ruffdog Sports
Balanced Dog Obedience Training

Ready to Explore IGP?

Ruffdog Sports offers IGP coaching and sport-dog training focused on developing the foundations needed for tracking, obedience, drive development under control, protection and competition preparation.

Whether you're just starting with a young dog or you're already working toward competition, training should begin with understanding the dog in front of you.

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