IGP Decoy Start Cues Explained

Introduction

Clean protection work starts with clean beginnings. IGP decoy start cues are the switch that moves a dog from neutral to work with clarity, control, and power. At Smart Dog Training, we build IGP decoy start cues through the Smart Method, so handlers, decoys, and dogs always share the same language. Guided by a Smart Master Dog Trainer, this structure produces consistent obedience under pressure and real performance on the trial field.

When IGP decoy start cues are precise, the dog knows exactly when confrontation begins and what behaviour earns success. When they are sloppy, everything becomes noisy, unpredictable, and unsafe. This article explains how Smart Dog Training designs and installs IGP decoy start cues using clarity, pressure and release, motivation, progression, and trust.

What Are IGP Decoy Start Cues

IGP decoy start cues are the deliberate signals that begin the engagement between dog and decoy in protection. They tell the dog that the game is now live and specify which behaviour pattern applies at that moment. In training and competition, the helper must be predictable in how the start is presented so the dog can access learned patterns without confusion.

In Smart programmes, IGP decoy start cues are built as part of a wider start routine. The dog learns a neutral baseline, a clear pre-cue, then a start cue that triggers a specific job such as guard, transport, or engagement on a fleeing decoy. This sequence turns drive into disciplined action instead of chaotic lunging.

The Smart Method Framework

Smart Dog Training delivers IGP decoy start cues through the Smart Method. Each pillar supports reliability in real life and competition.

• Clarity. We use precise verbal markers, consistent body language, and predictable decoy motion so the dog always knows what starts the work.
• Pressure and Release. Fair pressure teaches accountability. Clean release and reward build understanding without conflict.
• Motivation. Rewards and success reps keep the dog eager and confident to meet the picture.
• Progression. Skills are layered step by step, adding distance, distraction, and duration until stable anywhere.
• Trust. Consistency builds a bond. The dog trusts the picture and the people. That trust fuels calm power.

Why IGP Decoy Start Cues Matter

IGP decoy start cues matter because they drive safety, scoring, and the quality of behaviour under arousal.

• Safety. A dog that waits for the cue is safer around judges, handlers, and helpers.
• Scoring. Predictable starts reduce dirty entries, early breaks, and handler help.
• Quality. Calm onset produces fuller grips, less thrashing, and cleaner outs.
• Mindset. The dog learns to think before acting which supports obedience everywhere.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reliable IGP decoy start cues require teamwork. Smart Dog Training scripts the roles so there is no guesswork.

The Handler

• Maintains a neutral, calm picture until the cue.
• Delivers pre-cue markers and positions the dog correctly.
• Holds the line without telegraphing early tension.

The Decoy

• Stays neutral until the agreed start signal.
• Explodes with a consistent commitment when the start occurs.
• Repeats the same footwork, eye focus, and stick position.

The Dog

• Holds position and engagement on the handler.
• Waits for the start cue before moving.
• Channels drive into the correct pattern on the first step.

Building Clarity Into IGP Decoy Start Cues

Clarity is the foundation. In Smart programmes, the dog learns a simple three-stage routine that makes IGP decoy start cues black and white.

1. Baseline. Dog is neutral and calm with a consistent posture such as sit or stand at heel, eyes on the handler.
2. Pre-cue. A marker like Ready tells the dog to load attention but not move.
3. Start. A specific start word or handler gesture is paired with the decoy motion that begins the picture.

We do not rely on equipment tells. The sleeve, stick, and jacket must not become the true cue. The true cue is the agreed human signal, then the decoy action. This prevents the dog from self-starting on any person who looks like a helper.

Marker Systems That Support The Start

IGP decoy start cues ride on a clean marker system. Smart Dog Training teaches clear verbal markers for every stage.

• Attentional markers such as Ready and Watch me that build focus without movement.
• Start markers that release the dog into a defined job such as Guard or Transport.
• Outcome markers such as Good and Yes to reinforce accuracy at the moment of success.
• Accountability markers such as No paired with fair pressure and the chance to earn release again.

A Smart Master Dog Trainer ensures handlers use neutral tone for attentional markers and energized tone for start markers. The dog learns to hear the difference and act accordingly.

Decoy Body Language And Motion

Dogs read bodies better than words. IGP decoy start cues must include repeatable decoy behaviour.

• Posture. Neutral posture before the start, athletic posture on the start.
• Footwork. Same lead foot, same direction, same commitment every time.
• Head and eye. Neutral gaze before the start, direct focus on start.
• Arm and sleeve. No leaks before the start, full picture on start.

The decoy should practice starts without a dog to engrain identical patterns. Consistency makes learning faster and improves safety when arousal rises.

Timing Windows And First Steps

IGP decoy start cues work only when the first 500 milliseconds are consistent. The dog must hear the cue, commit the first step, and hit the correct line. Smart Dog Training rehearses those first steps until they are automatic.

• Handler holds neutral leash until the start marker.
• On the start, handler gives the dog a direct path to success.
• Decoy breaks cleanly at the same time the start marker is spoken.

We time the decoy start to the end of the start word. The decoy moves as the vowel finishes. This produces the same sound and picture every rep.

Drive, Arousal, And Obedience

High arousal without clarity causes anticipation. Low arousal without motivation causes flat work. IGP decoy start cues balance both. Smart trainers load the dog with short pre-cue focus, then release into clean motion. We avoid long stares that create creeping or vocalising. We also avoid dead air that blunts desire. The sweet spot is short, crisp, and repeatable.

Progression Plan For IGP Decoy Start Cues

Progression turns a good rep into a reliable skill. Smart Dog Training layers difficulty with structure.

1. Foundation. Static decoy, short distance, low noise, perfect repetition.
2. Controlled motion. Decoy adds small movements that are not starts. Dog must hold baseline until the true cue.
3. Distance. Increase from 5 metres to competition distances while preserving timing.
4. Environment. Add surfaces, weather, and noise without changing the start picture.
5. Pressure. Increase decoy commitment and stick noise only after the dog shows stability.
6. Generalisation. Rotate decoys who copy the same start cue protocol so the dog follows the picture, not the person.

Preventing Anticipation And Early Breaks

Early breaks are the most common failure with IGP decoy start cues. We prevent and fix them with three tools.

• Variable pre-cue duration. Sometimes one second, sometimes three. The dog waits for the start word, not the clock.
• Fake starts from the decoy that are not starts. The dog learns that only the full picture after the start marker matters.
• Fair accountability. If the dog breaks early, we calmly reset to baseline. No reward until the cue is obeyed, then big pay when it is.

Pressure and release mean the dog experiences the cost of guessing and the benefit of patience. Over time, patience wins.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Even skilled teams make errors that blur IGP decoy start cues.

• Leash leaks. Subtle tension before the cue teaches the dog to pull early.
• Voice tells. Handler tone that rises before the start becomes the real cue.
• Decoy drift. Small shoulder shifts or sleeve twitches wake the dog too soon.
• Inconsistent words. Changing or stacking start words confuses the pattern.
• Equipment bias. Dogs that start on the sleeve rather than the picture break patterns on trial day.

Sample Start Protocols

Green Dog Protocol

1. Baseline in heel with quiet engagement on the handler.
2. Pre-cue Ready then food or toy reinforcement for stillness.
3. Start cue Work paired with a one step decoy break to the side and a quick win.
4. Immediate outcome marker Good when the dog commits the correct line, then a clean reinforcement.
5. Reset to baseline. Repeat until movement is automatic and calm.

Advanced Dog Protocol

1. Baseline in a formal position with variable duration pre-cue.
2. Start cue for a defined job such as Guard or Transport.
3. Decoy gives full commitment with stick noise and clear line.
4. Dog holds grip or guard with clean out on the first cue.
5. Proof with decoy fake shifts and longer distances while maintaining perfect start timing.

Integrating IGP Decoy Start Cues With Obedience

Protection does not live alone. Smart Dog Training integrates IGP decoy start cues with obedience chains so the dog learns to surf arousal and still follow rules.

• Add heel steps before and after the start to teach stability.
• Insert sits and downs between pre-cue and start so the dog stays biddable.
• Practice out and re-engage sequences where the next start cue arrives only after a clean release.

This builds a dog that can think during pressure. Judges reward that picture because it shows control and confidence.

Competition Day Consistency

Trial fields add stress. Smart Dog Training rehearses a repeatable pre ring routine so IGP decoy start cues feel familiar on the day.

• Walk up and place the dog in the same heel position every time.
• Use the same pre-cue words at the same volume and cadence.
• Look at the same focal point so body language stays steady.
• Trust the training. Do not add words or touch before the start.

We keep the routine simple so it survives nerves. The dog reads a known picture and performs.

Adjusting For Different Dogs

Dogs are individuals. Smart trainers tailor IGP decoy start cues to temperament while keeping the structure identical.

• High drive dogs. Short pre-cues, faster reps, more neutral handling to prevent vocalising.
• Sensitive dogs. Calm pre-cues, longer reinforcement windows, softer decoy entries that grow over time.
• Experienced dogs. More fake starts and proofing to maintain patience without dulling desire.

The picture stays the same. Only the intensity and pacing change so each dog feels successful.

Communication Script For Teamwork

Before each rep, Smart Dog Training teams use a simple script so IGP decoy start cues remain consistent.

• Handler to decoy. Ready, we start on Work. One step break left, then forward commitment.
• Decoy to handler. Copy. I will stay neutral until Work. One step left, full entry on your word.
• Handler to dog. Ready then Work on the judge or coach count.

Two sentences remove confusion and turn every rep into clean data.

Safety And Ethical Standards

Protection training carries risk. Only train IGP decoy start cues under professional supervision. Smart Dog Training maintains strict safety protocols and uses fair methods that build confidence. We keep equipment in excellent condition, set clear boundaries, and always end with the dog successful and calm.

Measuring Progress

We track success so teams know the plan is working.

• Latency from start cue to first step. Short, consistent times show clarity.
• Error rate on fake starts. Low errors show patience.
• Grip quality and stability after the start. Calm entries predict clean outs later.
• Handler compliance with the script. Fewer leaks mean better scores.

Smart Dog Training records these metrics across sessions. Data tells us when to progress or return to basics.

IGP Decoy Start Cues In Different Exercises

IGP decoy start cues do not only live in the flee. They apply in every protection picture.

• Guard. Start cue releases the dog to hold presence without touching until provoked.
• Transport. Start cue begins controlled escort, eyes forward, no forging.
• Reattack. Start cue defines the exact moment the dog may re engage.
• Escort to judge. Start cue maintains neutrality while passing close to the decoy.

Because the structure is the same, dogs recognise the job quickly even as scenarios change.

Ready to turn your dog’s behaviour around? Book a Free Assessment and connect with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer, available across the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are IGP decoy start cues

IGP decoy start cues are the specific signals that begin engagement between dog and decoy. In Smart Dog Training, they are taught as part of a start routine with a baseline, a pre-cue, and a start marker that pairs with decoy motion.

How do I stop my dog anticipating the start

Use variable pre-cue durations, add fake decoy movements that are not starts, and reward only when the dog waits for the true start marker. Smart Dog Training uses pressure and release to teach patience without conflict.

Should the sleeve be the start cue

No. The sleeve must not be the cue. IGP decoy start cues should be human driven signals with consistent decoy motion. This prevents equipment bias and keeps behaviour safe around people.

How many markers do I need

Keep it simple. One attentional marker, one start marker for each job, one outcome marker, and one accountability marker is enough. Smart trainers will tailor the exact words to your team.

Can I use the same start cue for all protection exercises

Use the same structure, not the same word. Each job such as guard or transport should have its own start marker so the dog knows the job you want. The routine around the marker stays identical.

What if my dog breaks early in competition

Return to baseline and be consistent in training. Practice more fake starts, shorten pre-cue windows, and clean up handler leaks. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will rebuild the routine so the dog trusts the picture again.

How do I proof IGP decoy start cues with new helpers

Introduce new decoys only after the dog is stable. Coach the decoy to copy the same start picture. Keep early sessions short and reward success heavily. Smart Dog Training rotates decoys strategically so the dog learns the picture, not the person.

Is it safe to practice IGP decoy start cues at home

Protection work should only be done with professional supervision. For safety, train with Smart Dog Training in controlled environments with proper equipment and coached decoys.

Conclusion

IGP decoy start cues are the gateway to clean, powerful protection work. When the picture is predictable and the routine is simple, dogs learn to wait, think, and then drive with purpose. Smart Dog Training installs these cues using the Smart Method so every rep builds clarity, motivation, and trust. With structured progression and consistent decoy motion, your dog can deliver the same quality on the training field and on trial day.

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