First Steps After Passing BH

First Steps After Passing BH

Passing your BH is a proud milestone. It proves your teamwork, stability, and basic control under pressure. The First Steps After Passing BH set the tone for everything that follows, from sharpening obedience to building new phases and preparing for IGP1. At Smart Dog Training we map those steps with the Smart Method so you move forward with clarity, motivation, progression, and trust. If you want expert guidance from the very start, partner with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer (SMDT) and build structure that lasts.

Why the BH Matters and What Comes Next

The BH confirms your dog can perform essential obedience in public and remain safe and neutral. It also exposes gaps. The First Steps After Passing BH should close those gaps and prepare your dog for the demands of IGP phases. That includes more precise heelwork, stronger engagement, and the introduction of tracking and protection foundations. With Smart Dog Training, those next steps are planned, measured, and delivered at the right pace to protect your dog’s confidence.

The Smart Method That Powers Your Progress

Every result we create at Smart Dog Training comes from the Smart Method. It blends five pillars that turn good BH teams into consistent IGP performers.

• Clarity. We use precise markers and commands so the dog always knows what to do and when.
• Pressure and Release. We apply fair guidance with clear release and reward. Accountability grows without conflict.
• Motivation. We build desire to work with food and toy rewards. Your dog enjoys the process.
• Progression. We add distraction, duration, and difficulty step by step until skills hold anywhere.
• Trust. Structured training strengthens your bond. The dog offers calm, confident, and willing behaviour.

These pillars are your compass for the First Steps After Passing BH. Work them daily and your dog will not only perform but also enjoy the journey.

First Steps After Passing BH Start With Clear Goals

Set the target before you train. The First Steps After Passing BH should define specific outcomes and time frames. At Smart Dog Training we help you convert broad dreams into practical goals.

• Short term. Improve focus in heelwork and build reliable engagement in new places.
• Mid term. Introduce IGP1 foundations for tracking, retrieves, and controlled protection work.
• Long term. Create a dog that is neutral, powerful, and steady across all phases.

If you want a professional roadmap, a Smart Master Dog Trainer will set milestones and metrics so you always know what to train and why.

Assess Your Current Baseline

Before you add complexity, measure where you stand. The First Steps After Passing BH include a simple audit that Smart Dog Training uses with every team.

• Engagement. Does your dog offer eye contact and enthusiasm when there is no reward in hand
• Heel picture. Is the position precise, with clean turns and halts
• Handling pressure. Can your dog accept fair guidance and bounce back to work
• Neutrality. Is your dog calm near other dogs, people, and traffic
• Recovery. How quickly does arousal settle after play or stress

We record a short video of each element and review it with clear criteria. This creates proof of progress as you follow the First Steps After Passing BH.

Build Reliable Engagement After BH

Focus is your engine. The First Steps After Passing BH must lock in engagement so your dog chooses you in any environment. Smart Dog Training builds this in layers.

• Value transfer. Reward consistent eye contact. Start in low distraction, then move outdoors.
• Choice. Offer the dog a choice between the environment and you. Mark and reward choosing you.
• Duration. Extend focus for a few seconds at a time. Keep the dog winning.
• Movement. Add slow walking, then turns, then changes of pace while maintaining attention.

Engagement drives heelwork quality, faster sits and downs, and resilience when pressure appears. It also makes rewards feel earned, which builds pride in work.

Precision Heelwork That Judges Reward

After the BH, judges expect more detail. The First Steps After Passing BH should sharpen position and rhythm using the Smart Method.

• Picture first. Define head height, shoulder position, and line of travel. Reward the picture, not the step count.
• Clarity. Use clean markers for yes, no reward, and release. Your dog must never guess.
• Micro reps. Train in ten to twenty step bursts. End before focus fades.
• Pressure and Release. A light line guide, then instant release when position is offered. Reward follows the release.
• Proofing. Add turns, halts, sits, downs, and recalls in new environments once the base picture holds.

Record sessions weekly. Compare to last month. This is how Smart Dog Training keeps the First Steps After Passing BH measurable and honest.

Obedience Foundations for IGP1

The next level adds retrieves, a longer down under distraction, a send away, and tighter precision. Smart Dog Training introduces these exercises with the same structure.

• Retrieve. Build a clean hold and calm mouth first. Then layer pick up, motion, and return. Reward calm control more than speed at the start.
• Down with duration. Teach stillness as a skill. Pay for breathing, chin on the ground, and no creeping.
• Send away. Create a clear target and a straight line. Reward the drive to the spot, then add the down cue later.
• Recall. Prioritise straight, fast, and committed returns. Precision sits come after the speed is stable.

These steps fold into your plan as you complete the First Steps After Passing BH. Keep reps short and wins frequent.

Tracking Foundations After BH

Tracking builds calm, methodical work. Done right, it steadies dogs and improves obedience. The First Steps After Passing BH introduce tracking the Smart way.

• Surface choice. Start on short, consistent grass with light moisture if possible.
• Footstep food. Place food in every step to teach nose in the track and slow pace.
• Line handling. Keep light contact that guides the arc of movement without dragging.
• Corners. Straight lines first, then gentle corners that are well marked with reward.
• Articles. Introduce one article with a clear down and a rich payout.

We want a quiet tail, deep nose, and steady rhythm. Smart Dog Training builds this picture before increasing length or complexity. This is central to the First Steps After Passing BH for teams aiming at IGP1.

Protection Foundations After BH

Protection work is about control, clarity, and full commitment. The First Steps After Passing BH focus on target clarity and emotional balance. Smart Dog Training keeps the dog safe and confident while building power with control.

• Drive channel. Build pursuit on a clear sleeve or wedge target. Teach the path and rules of the game.
• Grip development. Reward full, calm grips. If the grip loosens, reset and build again. Quality before intensity.
• Out on cue. Pair a clean verbal out with pressure and release. The instant the dog outs, pressure ends and reward returns.
• Rebites. Allow rebites when the dog earns them. This teaches responsibility and builds satisfaction without conflict.
• Control. Interleave obedience snippets between protection reps. The dog learns that work and control live together.

Protection is advanced. If you are unsure, book time with an SMDT who delivers the Smart Method with precision.

Conditioning and Health To Support Work

Performance rests on fitness and recovery. As part of the First Steps After Passing BH, build a simple conditioning routine.

• Warm up and cool down. Five minutes of movement work before and after sessions.
• Core strength. Controlled stands, sit to stand, and balance work on stable surfaces.
• Sprint mechanics. Short, straight sprints on safe footing. Focus on clean starts and full stops.
• Flexibility. Gentle range of motion. Reward calm behaviour throughout.

Monitor hydration, weight, and rest days. Smart Dog Training programmes balance stress and recovery to keep your dog eager for each session.

Structure Your Week With Purpose

Consistency creates progress. The First Steps After Passing BH work best inside a weekly plan. Smart Dog Training uses simple, repeatable blocks.

• Three short obedience sessions focused on heel picture, plus one session for retrieves or send away.
• Two short tracking sessions on controlled ground.
• One to two protection foundation sessions, as appropriate for your dog’s maturity.
• Daily engagement games for two to five minutes.
• Two rest days with light decompression walks and calm handling.

Keep sessions short, end on a win, and log your reps. Adjust weekly based on your video review and notes. This is the practical heart of the First Steps After Passing BH.

Proof Neutrality and Real Life Reliability

Your dog must be steady in the world. The First Steps After Passing BH include structured neutrality training designed by Smart Dog Training.

• People and dogs. Practice calm positions at a distance. Reward stillness and attention to you.
• Vehicles and noise. Start at low volume and increase only when your dog is settled.
• Environmentals. Work near parks, shops, and fields. Short reps, high rate of reinforcement.
• Handler skills. Your calm breathing, posture, and timing transfer stability to the dog.

We make neutrality a trained behaviour, not a wish. This protects performance at trials and in daily life.

Equipment and Environment Management

Plan your tools and training locations. The First Steps After Passing BH require clean communication and safe setups.

• Rewards. Use food and toys that your dog values. Keep rewards out of sight until the marker.
• Lines and collars. Fit equipment for safety. Apply light guidance, then release the instant the dog makes the right choice.
• Surfaces. Rotate through grass, dirt, and stable indoor floors to generalise skills.
• Session structure. Warm up, focused reps, then a clear cool down and end routine.

Smart Dog Training keeps each element predictable so the dog understands the session from start to finish.

Measure Progress and Avoid Plateaus

What gets measured gets improved. Build these checks into your First Steps After Passing BH.

• Video. One take per week for heelwork, tracking, and protection foundations.
• Criteria. Write down what a win looks like for each exercise before you train.
• Data. Track distance, duration, and distraction. Change one variable at a time.
• Deload. Every three to four weeks, reduce intensity for a few days to allow adaptation.

Smart Dog Training gives you templates for notes and review. The result is steady progress without guesswork.

Common Mistakes After the BH and Smart Solutions

The First Steps After Passing BH can go wrong when teams rush or change too many things at once. Here are issues we fix every week.

• Skipping foundation. Teams jump to retrieves and send away before the heel picture is stable. Solution. Rebuild engagement and position, then add complexity.
• Overuse of pressure. Dogs lose enthusiasm. Solution. Use fair pressure with instant release, then feed motivation so the dog wants the job.
• Long sessions. Focus fades and mistakes grow. Solution. Short reps, clear success, then rest.
• Inconsistent markers. The dog guesses. Solution. One marker for reward, one for release, one for no reward. Keep them consistent.
• No proofing plan. Teams get ring savvy only at a trial. Solution. Smart Dog Training maps proofing across locations with rising distraction.

When to Work With a Professional SMDT

Guidance saves time and prevents confusion. If you are unsure how to sequence the First Steps After Passing BH, work with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer. An SMDT will assess your dog, write a plan, and coach your handling so timing, pressure and release, and reward delivery are spot on. You can train with confidence knowing every step supports real trial readiness.

Ready to turn your dog’s behaviour around You can get started today. Book a Free Assessment and connect with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer. We are available across the UK.

Putting It All Together in a Sample Week

Here is how the First Steps After Passing BH might look when arranged into a simple week. This example follows Smart Dog Training structure.

• Monday. Short engagement and heel picture drills. Two focused sets. Cool down.
• Tuesday. Tracking on grass with food in every step. One short article at the end.
• Wednesday. Retrieve hold work and calm mouth. End with a fun recall.
• Thursday. Protection foundation. Pursuit to a wedge, calm grip, clean out, then a rebite.
• Friday. Heelwork with turns and halts. Video one sequence for review.
• Saturday. Neutrality session at a quiet park. Down with duration while people pass.
• Sunday. Rest day with decompression walk and light handling.

Repeat this plan for two to three weeks, then review your video and notes. Adjust one variable at a time. This is consistent with the Smart Method and keeps you moving through the First Steps After Passing BH without overwhelm.

FAQs

What are the most important First Steps After Passing BH

Lock in engagement, refine heel position, and introduce tracking and protection foundations in short, structured reps. Use clear markers, fair pressure and release, and high motivation. Follow a simple weekly plan so progress compounds.

How soon should I start tracking after the BH

Begin tracking during the first week if your dog is calm and engaged on walks. Start on short grass with food in every step and keep sessions short. Smart Dog Training scales length only when the picture is correct.

Do I need protection work right away

Introduce foundations early if your dog is mature and confident. Focus on target clarity, calm full grips, and a clean out. If you are unsure, work with an SMDT to keep arousal and control in balance.

How long should sessions be for a young dog

Most reps are under three minutes. Several micro sessions beat one long session. Stop while the dog still wants to work. This keeps the First Steps After Passing BH fun and productive.

What if my dog lost focus after the trial

Trials can drain dogs. Take three to five light days with engagement games and easy wins. Then rebuild heel picture and short tracking. Smart Dog Training uses deload weeks to protect motivation.

How do I know I am ready to enter IGP1

You should meet your written criteria in training and under mild proofing. Heeling should hold in new places, tracking should be calm with clear article indication, and protection should show control with a reliable out. An SMDT can assess and confirm readiness.

Can the First Steps After Passing BH help pet behaviour too

Yes. The same structure that builds IGP performance also improves daily behaviour. Engagement, neutrality, and clarity reduce pulling, barking, and reactivity in real life.

Conclusion

The BH is not the finish line. It is your foundation. The First Steps After Passing BH are about setting clear goals, auditing your baseline, and layering new skills with structure. Use the Smart Method to balance clarity, pressure and release, motivation, progression, and trust. Keep sessions short, measure your progress, and proof in real environments.

Your dog deserves training that truly works. With certified Smart Master Dog Trainers (SMDTs) nationwide, you will get proven results backed by the UK’s most trusted dog training network. Find a Trainer Near You