While we have always had an interest in working Ickis in some sort of protection type training, it wasn't until the beginning of 2012 that we decided to work Ickis towards an IPO title. We decided on IPO because of the incredible bond formed between the handler and dog, the beauty of the sport, and the accurate way it portrays the true working ability of a dog. Ickis earned his BH title in the spring of 2013 and we will continue to work towards his IPO1 title in the upcoming year. It is no easy task to start training a 3 year old dog towards a working title such as IPO 1, but I am confident he will prove himself in this sport with his phenomenal temperament and working drive. We have since decided to work all of our Corsi in IPO so long as they continue to show the correct temperament and drive for the work.
What is IPO? The letters are an acronym for Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung. This sport (formerly referred to as Schutzhund) originated in Germany in the late 1800s to early 1900s as a program to test the working ability, mental stability, courage, trainablility, and stamina of potential working German Shepherd Dogs in the German police program. This program has proven itself so well that it is now world renowned. Trials are held all over the globe as dogs and handlers compete for recognition. The handler and dog's performance is very strictly scrutinized by a judge who scores each aspect of each phase on trial day. There are three phases of IPO: Obedience, Tracking and Protection. A dog cannot compete in the Protection phase without first passing the Obedience Phase. Each phase has particular titles for dogs to work towards.
BH
(Begleithund)
The purpose of this portion of IPO is to assure the dog is 'traffic safe' and can maintain obedience with distractions such as other dogs, people, cars, gun shots, and more. The dog is expected to heel on and off leash, sit and down in motion, maintain a down stay under the distraction of other working dogs, and come when called.
(Begleithund)
The purpose of this portion of IPO is to assure the dog is 'traffic safe' and can maintain obedience with distractions such as other dogs, people, cars, gun shots, and more. The dog is expected to heel on and off leash, sit and down in motion, maintain a down stay under the distraction of other working dogs, and come when called.
FH1
(Fährten Hund 1)
This is an advanced tracking title. The dog must follow a track on the ground by a stranger's foot steps. The track for this title must be laid by someone who is a stranger to the dog. This track has 4 articles, 2 cross tracks, is 3 hours old and is a minimum of 1,200 paces long.
(Articles are items held by the stranger laying the track for at least 30 minutes so they have the stranger's sent.They are then placed on the track for the dog to identify by either picking the up article or identifying its location by standing, sitting or lying down. Cross tracks are other strangers walking through the track at different points as a sent distraction for the dog.)
(Fährten Hund 1)
This is an advanced tracking title. The dog must follow a track on the ground by a stranger's foot steps. The track for this title must be laid by someone who is a stranger to the dog. This track has 4 articles, 2 cross tracks, is 3 hours old and is a minimum of 1,200 paces long.
(Articles are items held by the stranger laying the track for at least 30 minutes so they have the stranger's sent.They are then placed on the track for the dog to identify by either picking the up article or identifying its location by standing, sitting or lying down. Cross tracks are other strangers walking through the track at different points as a sent distraction for the dog.)
IPO1
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 1)
This test brings together Tracking, Obedience and Protection. Before a dog can compete for this title, he must complete, with greater than 70 points, the BH test. The tracking portion of this test requires the dog to follow a track which is 300 paces and has to find 2 scent articles within 15 minutes. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog heel off lead, sit and down in motion, down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down, and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 2 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens, the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must stop biting. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper after a command.
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 1)
This test brings together Tracking, Obedience and Protection. Before a dog can compete for this title, he must complete, with greater than 70 points, the BH test. The tracking portion of this test requires the dog to follow a track which is 300 paces and has to find 2 scent articles within 15 minutes. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog heel off lead, sit and down in motion, down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down, and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 2 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens, the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must stop biting. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper after a command.
IPO2
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 2)
This title cannot be earned if the dog has not yet completed the IPO 1. This test is similar to IPO 1 but is more challenging. The track for this title similarly has to find 2 scent articles and must be completed in 15 minutes. This track, however, is 400 paces and is 30 minutes old. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog to heel off lead, sit and stand in motion (while walking), down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 4 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens the dog the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must release his bite. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper. Significant differences from the protection portion of the test from the IPO 1 is the number of blinds a back transport where the helper attacks the dog and the dog must engage after a command is given.
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 2)
This title cannot be earned if the dog has not yet completed the IPO 1. This test is similar to IPO 1 but is more challenging. The track for this title similarly has to find 2 scent articles and must be completed in 15 minutes. This track, however, is 400 paces and is 30 minutes old. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog to heel off lead, sit and stand in motion (while walking), down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 4 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens the dog the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must release his bite. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper. Significant differences from the protection portion of the test from the IPO 1 is the number of blinds a back transport where the helper attacks the dog and the dog must engage after a command is given.
IPO3
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 3)
This title cannot be earned if the dog has not yet completed the IPO 2. The track for this title is 600 paces, have 3 articles and is 60 minutes old. The dog has 20 minutes to complete this track. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog to heel off lead, sit, down and stand in motion (while running), down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 6 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens the dog the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must stop biting. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper. The significant differences from the protection portion of the test from the IPO 2 is the number of blinds and an additional attack on the dog while in the guarding phase.
(Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung 3)
This title cannot be earned if the dog has not yet completed the IPO 2. The track for this title is 600 paces, have 3 articles and is 60 minutes old. The dog has 20 minutes to complete this track. The obedience portion of this test requires the dog to heel off lead, sit, down and stand in motion (while running), down under distraction, a flat retrieve, retrieve over a hurdle and over a scaling wall, a send out with a down and a recall. The protection portion of this test cannot be done unless the dog has passed the obedience portion. The dog must search 6 blinds for the helper and when he finds the helper he must signal by barking. Once the helper threatens the dog the dog should engage. When the handler commands the dog to 'out' the dog must stop biting. When the helper tries to escape, the dog must reengage the helper. The significant differences from the protection portion of the test from the IPO 2 is the number of blinds and an additional attack on the dog while in the guarding phase.
AD
(Ausdauerprüfung)
This is a 12.5 mile endurance test that is not technically an IPO title or degree. When working towards this certification, the dog must run along side his owner for a total of 12.5 miles. The dog gets a break at the 5 mile marker and the 9.4 mile marker. At this time the judge evaluates the dog for fatigue, sore pads, and overall condition. At the end of the 12.5 mile run, the dog is allowed a 20 minute rest before starting a short obedience routine.
(Ausdauerprüfung)
This is a 12.5 mile endurance test that is not technically an IPO title or degree. When working towards this certification, the dog must run along side his owner for a total of 12.5 miles. The dog gets a break at the 5 mile marker and the 9.4 mile marker. At this time the judge evaluates the dog for fatigue, sore pads, and overall condition. At the end of the 12.5 mile run, the dog is allowed a 20 minute rest before starting a short obedience routine.
FH2
(Fährten Hund 2)
This title is sometimes referred to as a superior tracking title. This track, similarly to the FH 1 title, must be laid by a stranger, must be at least 3 hours old and have 2 cross tracks. This track, however, is a minimum of 2,000 paces and has 7 articles.
IPO is not 'attack dog' training. It is a sport where man and dog compete to show their level of skill in obedience, tracking and protection. Whether you work a German Shepherd Dog or Cane Corso, in IPO you have a huge amount of work ahead of you. Titling a dog requires daily dedication to your dog and the sport. Even if you put all the time in the world into working your dog, if your dog lacks the courage, stamina or drive, he can not title in IPO. I am still very new to the sport and am fortunate to find a club willing to work with off breeds - any breed other than a German Shepherd Dog competing in IPO. If you are considering starting your Corso in IPO, I strongly suggest you find a local IPO club and meet with them. They will be able to guide you in the right direction and inform you of whether your dog is even a candidate to compete in such a rigorous sport. A stable temperament is vital for participating in this sport.
There are qualities in a dog that are required in order for him to be successful in the sport. Even the best IPO trainer in the world with numerous national champion titled dogs can not train every dog to title in IPO. Ivan Balabanov and Karen Duet wrote that "Schutzhund measures a dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiency, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability." (Advanced Schutzhund). If a dog is only willing to work on his own terms or is nervous or uncontrolable, that dog can not succeed in IPO. We work hard to prove our Corsi have what it takes by bringing all of these traits to the field and more.
Special thanks to Richard Shook of Piedmont Schutzhund Club for his expertise in training and behavior and his experience and willingness to work with off breeds in the sport.
Deciding on IPO
What is IPO?
IPO is a Skillful Sport
IPO Requires the Right Dog
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There are many titles to earn in IPO, here are some of the most common titles.
Photo Credit: Chrissy Verner
