2019 IGP Rule Changes Quick Reference Sheet

Trying to make sense of the new rule changes coming in January 2019? This document breaks down the big changes for the BH and IGP1-3, outlining the changes by title and by phase. This is version 2.0, as one small change was needed in the BH section.

IPO Trial Checklist

Need a little help with hosting a trial? Download this FREE IPO Trial Checklist to make sure you have everything covered! Within this checklist, you will learn how to secure the trial date, create a trial flyer, plan for each phase of the event, and properly set up for trial day. This checklist is geared toward hosting a club-level USCA trial, but will work for most other organizations as well.

Obedience Tip Sheet for Trial Day

This tip sheet answers many questions about the handler's job during the IPO obedience phase at a trial. When do you report in on-leash vs. off-leash? When do you wait for the judge's signal? When do you observe a 3-second pause?  When should you offer handler help? When can you praise the dog? There is a wealth of information contained in this tip sheet that will help the handler prep for trial day!

Obedience Progress Tracker

Need a way to take notes and track your OB progress as you prepare for a trial? Take a look at this Obedience Progress Tracker! It includes the major elements of the IPO Obedience routine, and even breaks them down into their sub-components. If you find it helpful, please feel free to download, print, copy, and cross-post it!

The Art of Handler Etiquette

Wondering what you should and shouldn't do during a trial? Preparing to enter an IPO trial soon? Then this article is for you! It covers eight basic guidelines of handler etiquette, ranging from knowing the rules (Guideline #1) to valuing the learning experience of the trial (Guideline #8). This is a reprint of my article, "The Art of Handler Etiquette", which first appeared in Schutzhund USA magazine. 

Finding the Right Dog for IPO

If you are just getting into Schutzhund, then you may be faced with the very first challenge: finding the dog that has what it takes to do Schutzhund/IPO. What breed? Male or female? Adult or puppy? Import, or domestic? Where do you even find a good candidate for IPO?

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If this describes where you are with your Schutzhund journey, then this guide is for you! Finding the Right Dog for IPO will take you through the desired characteristics of the IPO dog, the steps to finding the right dog, the most common breeds that excel in Schutzhund, the benefits and drawbacks of puppies and older dogs, how to find a good breeder, and what to look for when importing a dog. And best of all, this guide is FREE!

How To Report In/Out Tip Sheet

One of the most common handler errors is incorrect reporting in/out. In most cases, this won't cost you points, but it is a matter of formal trial etiquette that shows respect for the judge and the sport. Additionally, it creates a positive first impression when done correctly. When done poorly...well, worst case scenario is a disqualification if you leave training equipment on your dog, if your dog bites the judge, if the dog engages the other dog upon check-in/out in obedience, etc.

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This tip sheet walks you through what to do and what to say for properly reporting in and out in each phase. The content originally appeared in my Handler Etiquette article, published in Schutzhund USA magazine's Jan/Feb 2017 issue. It's been given a new look, plus a few extra handling tips!

Goal-Setting Organizer

If you like graphic organizers, then give this one a try! There's space to break your training goal into smaller steps, to track your progress, and to take notes, all on one sheet. If you want the colorful version, click HERE, otherwise, select the button below to get the ink-saving version.

Elements of a Training Program

This graphic creates a visual guide to the various elements of a training program, and includes a brief description of each element.