The BH

The foundation for any IPG dog is obedience.  Your Schutzhund journey will start with a BH.  The BH is a title for traffic-safe companion dogs that tests the dog’s temperament in and around people. It includes basic formal obedience such as heeling on and off leash, sits, downs, and recalls, as well as practical tests of the dog’s character in everyday situations. These include reaction to normal situations involving crowds of people, strange noises, joggers, cars, and other dogs. Before being allowed to enter for a Schutzhund or IGP title, the dog must first have successfully completed the BH.  The BH also includes a multiple-choice written test for the 1st handler.  The minimum age for a dog to enter for a BH is 15 months.

The Three Parts of a Schutzhund/IGP Trial

Schutzhund and IPG work concentrates on three parts. The first two parts are tracking and obedience. These parts are also utilized by many of the American Kennel Club’s affiliates. The third part is unique to the Schutzhund/IPG standard, which is protection work.

Phase 1: Tracking

The tracking phase is designed to test the dog’s trainability, ability to scent, mental focus and concentration, problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently for a prolonged period of time at a very specific and detailed task without influence or encouragement from the handler.   The tracking phase begins with a temperament test during which the judge evaluates the dog’s general temperament, including his behavior toward a crowd of strangers. A shy or aggressive dog will be dismissed from the field and is unable to attempt a Schutzhund title at that trial. Tracks are laid at the very start of the trial, under the careful eye of the judge. At the IGP1 level, the dog’s handler lays the track, and at the IGP2 and IGP3 levels the tracks are laid by a stranger/tracklayer. Tracks are normally laid on a natural surface, such as dirt or grass, and the tracklayer is to walk at a normal pace. The length, complexity, difficulty of the track, as well as how long the track has aged and the number of articles which the dog must indicate, depends on the title level.

The tracking itself involves the handler following behind the dog at the end of a 10-meter line, as the dog scents and follows the track. The track includes two turns, as well as man-made articles left on the track by the tracklayer. The dog must scent out and follow the track from start to finish on his own. The dog must be methodical and accurate in his work, remaining on the track during turns and straights, and must indicate the articles dropped by the tracklayer, usually by lying down with the article between their front paws.

Phase 2: Obedience

The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gunshot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to loud sharp noises. The obedience portion also contains a series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler.

With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, on the edge of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All the obedience exercises are tests of the dog’s temperament, structural efficiencies, and — very importantly — its willingness to serve its handler despite distraction, commotion, and the presence of other dogs working nearby. It also evaluates the dog’s overall physical ability, structural soundness, and athleticism.

Phase 3: Protection

The protection phase tests the dog’s courage, physical strength, and agility. The protection phase begins with the dog performing a search, directed by the handler, of several hiding places, looking for the helper. When the dog finds the helper, he must guard the helper, by barking until the handler arrives. Here the dog is not permitted to bite or touch the helper, as the helper is behaving in a neutral, unthreatening manner. When the helper attempts to escape, the dog must pursue, catch and hold firmly. The dog is expected to engage without hesitation when sent across the field to apprehend the helper that is charging and threatening the handler and dog. When the dog engages the helper, the helper fights back against the dog, including hitting the dog with a padded stick.

The dog must engage without pause, with bites that demonstrate a full, firm, and calm grip on the sleeve. The dog must not show any fear, nervousness, or hesitation at any time. During the entire protection phase, the dog must remain in the handler’s control, respond quickly and correctly to commands, and disengage immediately when the helper ceases to resist, or when commanded to do so by the handler. During guards and the transport exercises where handler and dog escort the helper to the judge, the dog is to remain focused on the helper and ready to react, but must not bother the helper in any way.

The protection phase evaluates the dog’s physical and mental prowess by testing his courage, nerve, fighting instinct, ability to deal with conflict and pressure, hardness, and willingness to protect. Even more importantly it tests the dog’s self-control, overall temperament, willingness to take direction and follow the handler’s commands, and his ability to remain clear-headed and obedient even under stress. The dog must engage his opponent with strength, determination, and aggression, but he must also refrain from engaging when inappropriate and must disengage immediately at his handler’s command.

What is the Judge looking for in the Dog?

At all three stages – IGP I, II, and III – each of the three phases (obedience, tracking, and protection) is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points. If a dog does not receive a minimum of 70 points in tracking, 70 points in obedience, and 70 points in protection, it is not awarded a title that day. This is also the case if a dog does not pass the pre-trial temperament test. To successfully receive a title, the dog must repeat the entire test, passing all phases of the test at a later trial. In every event, the judge is looking for an eager and accurate working dog with strong concentration. High ratings and scores are given to the animal that displays a strong willingness and ability to work for its human handler.