IGP Heel Step by Step

What Makes the IGP Heel So Special

The IGP heel is the gold standard for precision, attitude, and teamwork in obedience. It blends animation with accuracy. The dog drives at the handlers left side, eyes up, with a clear heel position and perfect responses to turns, halts, and pace changes. At Smart Dog Training, we build the IGP heel using the Smart Method so the picture is both powerful and calm. From the first session, a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer sets you and your dog up for consistent success in real life and on the trial field.

Unlike casual walking, the IGP heel scores every detail. Judges look for energy, clear focus, and exact footwork from the team. Our system gives you a clean path from foundations to a trial ready performance. The process is structured and progressive so the dog understands every step and enjoys the work. If your aim is a strong IGP heel, you are in the right place.

The Smart Method Framework For The IGP Heel

The Smart Method drives the IGP heel from day one.

• Clarity. We use precise commands and markers so the dog always knows what earned the reward and when the task is over.
• Pressure and Release. Fair guidance supports the dog, followed by a clean release and reward. This creates responsibility without conflict and locks in correct position.
• Motivation. Food, toys, and play create a strong emotional state. The IGP heel needs happy power, not stress.
• Progression. We layer easy wins into harder tasks. Distance, duration, and distraction are added step by step.
• Trust. Training is a partnership. We grow confidence and a bond that lasts in the ring and beyond.

Every session follows these pillars. With a Smart Master Dog Trainer, you learn how to apply them in a way that fits your dogs drive and temperament.

Handler Mechanics And Body Control

A world class IGP heel starts with the handler. Your body sets the picture. At Smart Dog Training we teach simple rules that do not change between sessions so the dog sees the same picture every time.

• Posture. Stand tall, shoulders square, eyes forward. Do not look down at the dog for long.
• Left Side Line. Keep your left leg as the dogs reference. The dogs shoulder aligns with your seam. That is the anchor for the IGP heel.
• Hands. Keep hands quiet. The left hand becomes a reward station when needed. The right hand manages the lead with soft feel.
• Footwork. Smooth starts, tidy stops, and clear turns. No drifting or shuffling.

Clean handler mechanics reduce confusion. This builds clarity and trust, which is the heart of the Smart Method.

Engagement Before Movement

Before you ask for an IGP heel, build strong engagement. The dog should love to work with you. At Smart Dog Training, we teach a simple pattern.

• Name Response. Say the dogs name, wait for eye contact, mark, and reward.
• Markers. Use clear words for yes, good, and finished. Yes pays now. Good continues the task. Finished means the task is over.
• Play To Work. Quick play, then short focus, then back to play. This creates an on switch for the IGP heel.

Strong engagement turns the heel from a chore into a game the dog cannot wait to play.

Motivation That Builds The IGP Heel Picture

The IGP heel needs energy and style. We use reward placement to shape that style. This is a Smart Dog Training hallmark.

• Food In The Left Hand To Build Position. Reward close to the chest or left hip to keep the dog tight and up.
• Toy From Behind To Drive Forward. Release a toy from the right hand or from a back pocket to create forward push and a proud head.
• Variable Reward. Sometimes pay quick, sometimes delay. The dog learns to hold the IGP heel no matter when the reward comes.

The goal is a dog that chooses to stay in the correct IGP heel position because the picture predicts success.

Teaching The Static Heel Position

Start with the dog in a sit at your left side. We build the IGP heel position before we move.

1. Guide Into Position. Lure or guide the dog to your left side, shoulder at your leg. Mark and pay.
2. Head Up. Lift the reward slightly to bring the head up. Mark, then deliver in position.
3. Release Word. Use the finished marker and toss a treat to reset. Repeat.

Keep reps short and fun. When the dog snaps into position on cue, you are ready to add a step.

First Steps Of The IGP Heel

Now we take one to three steps. The focus is accuracy. This is where clarity and pressure and release turn position into movement for the IGP heel.

1. One Step. From heel position, say your heel cue, take one clean step, stop, and mark. Pay in position.
2. Two To Three Steps. Add steps only if the picture stays clean. If the dog drifts, reset. We do not pay messy steps.
3. Soft Guidance. Use a light lead touch only when needed. The dog learns that correct position removes pressure and brings reward.

Short sets protect precision. The IGP heel is built on many crisp micro reps, not long marches at the start.

Reward Placement For Drive And Accuracy

How and where you pay matters. Smart trainers teach three core placements for the IGP heel.

• Left Chest Pay. Keeps the dog close and promotes head up posture.
• Forward Toss. Releases the dog to run ahead after a marker. Builds forward push and attitude.
• Behind The Back. Fade visible food and bring rewards from behind to keep the dog guessing in a good way.

Use placements on purpose. The IGP heel needs energy without forging. Proper placement balances both.

Pressure And Release That Builds Responsibility

Fair guidance is part of the Smart Method. For the IGP heel, we keep it light and clear.

• Set A Line. If the dog drifts wide, a small lead cue guides back to the seam. The release comes the instant the dog chooses the correct spot.
• Proof The Choice. Ask again and let the dog find the line with less help. Mark and pay the choice.
• Neutral Hands. No nagging. Either help clearly or be neutral. This keeps trust high.

Pressure and release done well adds accountability and reduces conflict. The result is a clean and willing IGP heel.

Building Duration And Straight Lines

Once the first steps look sharp, stretch the line for the IGP heel.

1. Step Count. Grow from 3 steps to 5, 10, then 15. Only add when each set looks the same.
2. Landmarks. Heel to a cone or a point on the fence. This gives both of you a target and keeps lines straight.
3. Reinforcement Schedule. Early sets pay often. Later sets shift to variable pay with surprise jackpots.

Keep sessions short, two to three minutes, then rest. This protects attitude and precision.

Turns In The IGP Heel

Turns change the picture and test clarity. We train each turn for the IGP heel by isolating the footwork and the dogs response.

Left Turn

On the last step before the turn, bring a small lift of your left knee to signal the inside path. Turn your body cleanly, keep hands quiet, and pay the dog for the tight wrap. The goal is a close pivot without crowding.

Right Turn

Look and step to the right with a clear path. Reward the dog for moving with your hip and keeping the seam line. Right turns help reduce forging in the IGP heel.

About Turn

Step through with your right foot, turn on your left, and drive forward. Mark and pay the first two clean steps out of the turn. The dog should snap into the new line with the same focus.

Halts And The Automatic Sit

A crisp sit at the halt is a key part of the IGP heel. We build it as a reflex.

1. Pattern. Walk three to five steps, stop, let the dog sit, mark, and reward in position.
2. Help Less. If the dog needs help at first, fade it fast. We want a clean sit without hand prompts.
3. Surprise Halts. Mix in random halts. Pay the ones that are fast and straight.

In trial, this sit shows control and teamwork. Make it sharp and automatic.

Tempo Changes And Transitions

The IGP heel includes slow, normal, and fast pace. Smooth changes show control and drive.

• Normal To Fast. Energise with a quiet verbal cue, then go. Pay the first few fast strides when the dog stays tight and up.
• Fast To Slow. Exhale, lower your chest, and shorten your steps. Mark the dog for matching your pace without forging.
• Randomise. Do not drill patterns the dog can predict. Keep the dog thinking and engaged.

With the Smart Method, transitions become a chance to reinforce focus and position.

Proofing The IGP Heel With Real Distractions

Trial fields are busy. We proof the IGP heel so nothing breaks focus.

• Environment. Train on grass, turf, and gravel. Change fields and time of day.
• People And Dogs. Add a quiet helper walking past, then a group, then light movement.
• Sounds. Add clatter, whistles, and recorded pops at a safe distance. Grow exposure with care so the dog stays confident.

We use progressive proofing. If focus dips, lower the pressure, help the dog succeed, then build back up. Trust is never traded for points.

The Trial Picture And Scoring Focus

In a judged routine, the IGP heel is evaluated on attitude, position, straightness, focus, and response to changes. At Smart Dog Training we coach you to show a picture that earns. The dog stays tight at the left seam, eyes up, with happy power. You keep your body calm and your footwork clean. You both move as one. This is the standard we build toward in every phase of training.

Common Mistakes And Smart Fixes

Even strong teams hit bumps. Here are frequent IGP heel issues and how we solve them.

• Forging. Use right turns and forward toss rewards to reset the line. Pay when the shoulder is at the seam.
• Crabbing. Feed from the left chest to square the body. Add slow pace to promote straightness.
• Lagging. Use energetic starts and back pocket toy releases. Keep sets short to raise drive.
• Wide Position. Mark only the tightest moments. Use landmarks like a wall on the left to encourage a close line.
• Dropping Head. Bring rewards higher at your chest, and pay faster reps. Head follows the reward history.
• Handler Stare. Look ahead. Trust your dog. Your posture sets the picture for the IGP heel.

Weekly Training Plan For The IGP Heel

Use this simple plan as a guide. A Smart Dog Training coach will tailor it to your dogs needs.

• Day 1. Engagement games, static heel position, one to three steps, play.
• Day 2. Short lines, halts, left turns, reward placement focus.
• Day 3. Rest or light engagement only.
• Day 4. Lines to landmarks, right turns, fast pace bursts.
• Day 5. About turns, slow pace, sit at the halt proofing.
• Day 6. Mixed routine with random transitions, variable rewards.
• Day 7. Rest and recovery play.

Keep each session two to three minutes and end on a win. The IGP heel grows fast when the dog always wants more.

Field Readiness Checklist

Before you step onto a trial field, check these boxes for your IGP heel.

• Dog snaps into heel position on cue, no help.
• Holds focus for 15 to 20 steps on a straight line with variable pay.
• Crisp sits at the halt, every time.
• Clean left, right, and about turns with no loss of line.
• Stable attitude around mild to moderate distractions.
• Handler footwork is smooth and consistent.

If any box is weak, go back a step. Precision now saves points later.

When To Advance And When To Reset

Progress is a choice, not a guess. For the IGP heel, only advance when your last step looks like your first step. If the picture breaks, lower difficulty, help the dog, and win again. This is the Smart Method in action. Clarity first, then progression, always with trust.

Mid Training Support

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

FAQs

What is the IGP heel and why is it different from normal heeling

The IGP heel is a focused, animated heel for sport obedience. The dog stays tight at your left side with eyes up, quick responses to turns and pace changes, and a crisp sit at halts. It is judged on precision and attitude, which is why Smart Dog Training uses a structured system to build it.

How long does it take to build a reliable IGP heel

With daily short sessions and clear steps, many dogs show a strong IGP heel picture in 6 to 10 weeks. Trial level reliability takes longer. Your Smart trainer will set milestones so you know exactly when to progress.

Do I need special equipment to train the IGP heel

You need a flat collar or suitable training collar chosen with your Smart trainer, a light lead, high value food, and a toy the dog loves. The power comes from clear training, not gadgets.

My dog forges in the IGP heel, how can I fix it

Use right turns, lower visible food, and pay from your left chest or from behind. Mark only when the shoulder lines up with your leg. Short, frequent sets help reset the line.

How do I keep my dogs head up without stress

Shape head position with reward placement. Pay higher at the chest or release a toy ahead after the marker. Keep sessions short, fun, and varied. Head follows history, so the IGP heel improves as reinforcement gets smarter.

How do I proof the IGP heel for distractions

Change one thing at a time. New field, then new sounds, then people, then dogs at a distance. If focus drops, lower difficulty, help once, and then try again. The Smart Method protects confidence at every step.

Can a young dog start the IGP heel

Yes, in short play based sessions that build engagement and position. We shape the picture without pressure and grow duration with age. A Smart Dog Training coach will set the right pace for your dog.

Conclusion

The IGP heel rewards teams that value clarity, motivation, and progression. With the Smart Method, you build a picture that is both precise and powerful. Start with engagement, lock in position, grow steps, then layer turns, halts, and tempo changes. Proof it with care so your dog stays happy and confident. When you follow this path, the IGP heel becomes a skill your dog loves and a performance you can trust under pressure.

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