IPO
What is IPO?
The origins of all training, such as Schutzhund or IPO, are based in Germany. These training tests were developed as a primary method of producing top level German Shepherd Dogs. They were geared to identify suitability of individual dogs for work in several formats:
IPO/Schutzhund is a challenging 3 part sport (obedience, tracking and protection. As a sport, several countries hold regional and national competitions.
IPO, when it is properly trained, provides an arena where you can learn about aggression and how your dog reacts to stressful situations. The dog also learns to control
his drives and learns to obey his owner even when he is very excited. This results in a very well-behaved dog. The duration and breadth of training also helps create a very close bond between dog and handler.
IPO/Schutzhund Titles:
What are the Components of Training and Trialing?
The elements of IPO/Schutzhund work are:
The origins of all training, such as Schutzhund or IPO, are based in Germany. These training tests were developed as a primary method of producing top level German Shepherd Dogs. They were geared to identify suitability of individual dogs for work in several formats:
- Stamina and endurance
- Agility
- Temperament and nerves (how well the dog handles stress)
- Courage
- Intelligence
- Handler Loyalty
- Desire to Work
IPO/Schutzhund is a challenging 3 part sport (obedience, tracking and protection. As a sport, several countries hold regional and national competitions.
IPO, when it is properly trained, provides an arena where you can learn about aggression and how your dog reacts to stressful situations. The dog also learns to control
his drives and learns to obey his owner even when he is very excited. This results in a very well-behaved dog. The duration and breadth of training also helps create a very close bond between dog and handler.
IPO/Schutzhund Titles:
- BH - basic obedience and temperament test
- SchA / APr 1-3 - obedience and protection only
- SchHI / IPO1 - first level
- SchHII / IPO2 - second level
- SchHIII / IPO3 - top level
- OB / UPr 1,2,3 - separate obedience titles
- TR / FPr 1,2,3 - separate tracking titles
- FH 1,2, IPO FH - advanced tracking titles
- AD - endurance title (for breed-worthiness)
What are the Components of Training and Trialing?
The elements of IPO/Schutzhund work are:
Obedience:
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
The obedience work is of a high level that is designed to test the dog’s intelligence, desire to work and please its handler, its ability to take directions from its handler, and its ability to work under stress (heeling around other people, during noises like gunshots, etc.) The obedience work includes heeling work, retrieval work (including over an A-frame obstacle), recalls, send outs, stay, along with position related work such as sit and down. It is important that the dog be a happy worker and interested in what he is doing.
tracking:
The depth of difficulty differs based on the title being worked towards, but tracking is all about testing a dog’s ability to not only scent but also about his ability to stay focused enough to follow the scent without distraction or frustration. It is also a test of how confident a dog is and how well he works in front of his handler. The dog will be required to properly identify articles (by alerting in some fashion such as lying down on or near the object) to his handler that have been left on the track by the track layer.
Protection:
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
This is the most misunderstood of the three phases of training and is normally the one the general public focuses on. During training and trialing, there must be a ‘helper’ to do protection work. The helper is the person that will be wearing the padded bite sleeve. The helper will be concealed behind a blind/hide and at more than point during the test will either attempt to escape or pretend to threaten/attack the dog or handler. Initially the dog is required to locate the helper when he is hidden and hold him there for the handler. When the helper attempts to escape or threatens the dog or handler, the dog is to actively apprehend the helper by biting the bite sleeve. A dog must be confident enough and strong enough mentally to handle this work, but he must also be sensitive to handler commands and release the sleeve when requested. It is hard to call a dog off when he is working at a high, excited level (or in high drive mode) so it is imperative that he is trained well enough and is responsive to handler commands.
It is important to note that temperament is a very important aspect in all levels. There are multiple things that are integrated into the testing for evaluating temperament. If a dog cannot pass these elements (by showing fear, nervousness, extreme aggression, sound reactivity, weaker nerves, etc.) he will not be able to pass a test.
If you are interested in training for IPO please contact us for more information about trainers in your area.
It is important to note that temperament is a very important aspect in all levels. There are multiple things that are integrated into the testing for evaluating temperament. If a dog cannot pass these elements (by showing fear, nervousness, extreme aggression, sound reactivity, weaker nerves, etc.) he will not be able to pass a test.
If you are interested in training for IPO please contact us for more information about trainers in your area.
