IGP Pre Trial Review Templates

IGP Pre Trial Review Templates

If you want a clean, confident trial day, you need more than hard work. You need structure. This guide walks you through IGP pre trial review templates built by Smart Dog Training to help you check every detail before you step on the field. These templates follow the Smart Method so you can audit tracking, obedience, and protection with clarity and trust. Work through each section with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer to turn practice into points when it matters.

As the UK leader in results driven training, Smart Dog Training uses a simple system that cuts noise and builds real performance. IGP pre trial review templates keep you on track from first warm up rep to last salute. They remove guesswork, show you what to fix, and help you perform under pressure. Whether you are aiming for BH VT, IGP 1, IGP 2, or IGP 3, these templates are your map.

What Are IGP Pre Trial Review Templates

IGP pre trial review templates are structured checklists and worksheets you use to rate each skill against the rule book and against your standard. They turn vague feelings into clear data. You record proofing history, typical faults, fixes, and your ring plan. You also log equipment checks, field set up notes, and a calm warm up routine. All parts fit inside the Smart Method so you build a dog that wants to work, understands the rules, and stays accountable without conflict.

The Smart Method Framework For Trial Prep

Smart Dog Training prepares every team with the Smart Method. It is the backbone of all IGP pre trial review templates.

• Clarity: Precise markers and commands, clean positions, and a simple plan.
• Pressure and Release: Fair guidance with clear relief, which grows responsibility.
• Motivation: Food and toy rewards that build drive and positive emotion.
• Progression: Steps that add duration, distance, and distraction to reach trial proof.
• Trust: A bond that holds in the ring so your dog works with confidence.

When you review through this lens, you see what is missing and you know how to fix it. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will help you score each pillar and upgrade your plan.

Template Overview And How To Use It

Each of the IGP pre trial review templates includes the same core parts so you stay consistent.

• Dog And Handler Profile
• Health And Equipment Check
• Rules And Compliance Audit
• Phase A Tracking Review
• Phase B Obedience Review
• Phase C Protection Review
• Field Rehearsal And Ring Plan
• Timing And Proofing Plan
• Trial Week Timeline
• Handler Mindset And Mental Rehearsal

Complete the templates in order. Start eight weeks out, then repeat the review at four weeks, two weeks, and the final week. This rhythm builds confidence and exposes weak links early. If you want tailored support, Book a Free Assessment and we will walk you through each part.

Dog And Handler Profile

Use this page to capture the context that drives your plan.

• Dog details: age, level, strengths, and common faults
• Reinforcers: top food reward, top toy reward, and praise style
• Markers: reward, continue, and release markers in use
• Handler details: footwork habits and cue timing
• Baseline videos: collect links or file names for review sessions

Keep it short and honest. This profile informs every choice you make in the IGP pre trial review templates.

Health And Equipment Check

Your dog cannot perform if he does not feel right. Run this check at each stage.

• Body scan: gait, flexibility, heat in joints, coat, nails
• Teeth check: clean bite, no soreness that could affect grips
• Hydration: steady, clear plan for water and breaks
• Fuel: proven pre work meal and timing
• Gear bag: collars, lines, long line, harness, dumbbells, articles, gloves, whistle, spare leads, treats, toys, water bowl, first aid

Note any changes since the last review. Replace worn gear now. IGP pre trial review templates include tick boxes for each item so nothing is missed.

Rules And Compliance Audit

The judge scores what he sees. You must match the rule set. In this audit you compare your routine to scoring criteria for your level.

• Heeling pattern: straight lines, turns, and pace changes
• Out of motion positions: clean sits, downs, stands
• Retrieves: correct dumbbell weight and carry
• Jumps: correct height for the dog and level
• Send out: distance, speed, and down at cue
• Tracking: articles, corners, speed, and intensity
• Protection: search order, hold and bark, outs, transports

Write the rule next to each point and your current score. Where you see gaps, assign a Smart Method fix and a timeline. This is the heart of the IGP pre trial review templates.

Phase A Tracking Review Template

Tracking rewards patience and precision. Use this section to break down each piece and to record consistent results.

Start, Line Handling, And Speed

• Start ritual: pre track routine and cue clarity
• Line handling: smooth feed, steady tension
• Pace: consistent footstep speed, no pulling or drifting

Score each item from one to five. A three is trial ready with mild drift. One needs a rebuild. The IGP pre trial review templates guide you to the right drill for each score.

Footsteps, Corners, And Articles

• Footstep commitment: nose deep, one footstep at a time
• Corners: approach, pivot, and exit, both directions
• Articles: detection, indication, and restart

Log the weather, field cover, track age, and distance. Note any loss of focus or air scenting. Then assign a Smart Dog Training fix. For example, if article downs are slow, increase the clarity of the indication marker, shorten the track, raise reward value at the article, and build back out.

Common Tracking Faults And Smart Fixes

• Fast pace: add food per step and bring down arousal before start
• Loose line: handler slows and feeds line with even rhythm
• Article chew: rebuild with calm rewards on the floor and no pressure
• Corner overshoot: marker for final correct step and quiet restart

IGP pre trial review templates give you space to note what worked and what did not so you do not repeat old errors.

Phase B Obedience Review Template

Obedience is where judge optics matter. Power and precision must live together. This section of the IGP pre trial review templates breaks the routine into simple, coachable parts.

Heeling Pattern And Attention

• Start position: straight, balanced, focused
• First steps: rhythm, speed, contact
• Turns and pace changes: tight corners, clean fast and slow

Log any forging, wrapping, or crabbing. Add the Smart Method fix. If focus fades after ten steps, shorten reps, raise reward, and increase clarity of the continue marker.

Sit, Down, And Stand Out Of Motion

• Cue clarity: one cue, no extra body prompts
• Position speed: crisp sit, down, and stand
• Position accuracy: no creeping or stepping

Film each rep and score on speed and stillness. The IGP pre trial review templates include a box for proofing with mild distraction to prepare for the ring.

Retrieves, Jump, And Wall

• Dumbbell carry: full grip, fast return, clean front or heel
• Jump height: correct for level, no touching
• Wall climb: safe take off, clean top, straight landing

If the dog touches the jump, log the field, wind, and footing. The fix may be better set up and a clearer reward line rather than more speed. Smart Dog Training focuses on clarity first so the dog understands the path.

Send Out And Finish

• Line of travel: straight, confident send
• Down cue: one cue, fast drop
• Finish: calm heel back to the judge

IGP pre trial review templates help you score the send out at full distance and then set proofing steps. Build trust by keeping rewards predictable when criteria are met.

Judge Optics And Scoring

• Handler tone: calm voice, steady pace
• Set ups: no extra steps or signals
• Transitions: smooth, no delay

Score your ring craft, not just your dog. Many points are lost in the gaps. Our templates ask you to plan each step, from entry to exit, so the judge sees a clean, confident team.

Phase C Protection Review Template

Protection blends control and drive. Safety and clarity come first. The IGP pre trial review templates break the work into search, hold and bark, outs, transports, and drive handling.

Blind Search And Hold And Bark

• Search pattern: correct order, deep entries
• Locate: fast find, clean approach
• Hold and bark: sustained bark, clear distance, no grips

Log any bumping or silence under pressure. Smart Dog Training uses motivation and clear release to teach the dog how to win by following the rules.

Escape, Reattack, And Transports

• Reaction to helper: fast, full, calm grip
• Counter: strong but not frantic
• Transport: straight, focused, neutral to pressure

Write down how the dog handles stick pressure and distraction. Assign a progression step that keeps the picture fair and predictable so the dog gains trust.

The Out And Guard

• Out cue: one cue, fast release
• Guard: still, focused, no regrip
• Re engagement: clean on cue only

For slow outs, the IGP pre trial review templates steer you back to the Smart Method. Use clear pressure and a clean release, then reinforce the decision to let go. Avoid messy pictures that drain trust.

Safety, Control, And Field Rules

• Equipment: sleeves, stick, and field set up checked
• Dog emotional state: high drive yet clear headed
• Handler control: steady cues, strong ring plan

Write a simple safety checklist and review it before each session. Control is the basic standard in Smart Dog Training. Without control, points do not hold.

Field Rehearsal And Ring Plan

The best teams do not guess on trial day. They rehearse. Use this part of the IGP pre trial review templates to plan your ring flow from the first step to the last finish.

• Arrival time and parking plan
• Warm up field and distance to ring
• Warm up sequence with exact reps
• Entry cue, first steps, and breath count
• Reward points after each phase
• Exit plan and cool down

Keep the plan short and clear. If the ring runs late or early, note two backup plans so you stay calm. If you want this designed with you, Book a Free Assessment and we will map it to your dog.

Timing And Proofing Plan

Proofing turns good training into real results. The IGP pre trial review templates ask you to add layers one at a time.

• Surface changes for tracking
• New heeling fields with sound and motion
• Protection pressure with clear pictures
• Random ring noises and judge movements

Set one new proof per session. Keep criteria clear and rewards strong. If the dog dips, remove one layer and win again. This is the Smart Method in action.

Trial Week Timeline Using The Templates

Here is a simple timeline that fits into the IGP pre trial review templates.

• Seven days out: full review, light reps, focus on clarity
• Five days out: short skill touch, no heavy pressure
• Three days out: ring rehearsal, one clean run through
• Two days out: rest day with light engagement and play
• One day out: travel and settle, gear check, calm mind
• Trial morning: warm up plan, breathe, trust your work

Keep notes each day so you can adjust early. Your body language should show calm leadership. Your dog should feel safe and ready to work.

Handler Mindset And Mental Rehearsal

Your dog will mirror your state. Use this page in the IGP pre trial review templates to guide your mind.

• Three breaths before each cue
• One sentence cue plan for each exercise
• Image of success for each phase
• Quick reset routine if something goes wrong

Write it down and practice it. Trust grows when your plan stays the same in training and in trial.

Work With A Smart Master Dog Trainer

The fastest way to turn IGP pre trial review templates into points is to work with a coach who has lived it. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will review your videos, adjust your plan, and hold you to the Smart Method. You will know what to work on, when to push, and when to protect confidence.

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.

IGP Pre Trial Review Templates Checklist

Print this master checklist and bring it to every field session.

• Profile updated with dog state and handler notes
• Health and gear checked and packed
• Rules audit complete for your level
• Tracking plan set with field, age, and article goals
• Obedience plan with clear criteria for each task
• Protection plan with safe pictures and clear outs
• Ring plan with entry, transitions, and exit
• Proofing step chosen for the day
• Reward plan clear and earned
• Video angle set and files named
• Mindset plan written and rehearsed
• Post session notes recorded

Use this list with all IGP pre trial review templates so you always know your next step.

Six Examples Of Template Entries

Sometimes it helps to see the tone of a good entry. Here are short examples you can model in your own IGP pre trial review templates.

• Tracking corner: overshoot at right turn. Fix with two short right turn tracks, food on the last three steps before the corner. Win twice, then remove food.
• Heeling first steps: forging on fast pace. Fix with one step reward pattern and earlier continue marker. Keep sessions short.
• Sit out of motion: slow sit. Fix with clearer hand signal fade plan and higher value reward for fast sits only.
• Retrieve over jump: touching the bar. Fix with lower arousal warm up and calmer send. Mark clean jump on return.
• Hold and bark: stepping into helper. Fix with clear boundary line and reward for bark at distance.
• Out command: delayed release. Fix with cleaner picture, one cue, quick release marker, and play as reward for letting go.

Common Mistakes When Using Templates

Templates are tools. Use them well and they pay off.

• Writing too much: keep each note short and clear
• Changing too many things: add one proof at a time
• Ignoring handler habits: your timing matters as much as your dog’s
• Skipping video: you cannot fix what you do not see
• Chasing points over trust: the Smart Method puts trust first

Return to the IGP pre trial review templates after each run. Ask what worked and what to change. This loop builds progress.

How Smart Dog Training Delivers Results

Every Smart programme follows the same pillars so the result is reliable in real life and on the trial field. Smart Dog Training brings structure, motivation, and accountability to every session. You get clear markers, fair guidance, and a proven path. That is why our teams feel calm and prepared when the judge calls them in.

If you are starting out or aiming for the next title, our trainers can step in at any stage. You can Find a Trainer Near You to work through your IGP pre trial review templates in person.

FAQs

Do I need IGP pre trial review templates if I already train a lot

Yes. Training volume without structure leads to guesswork. IGP pre trial review templates from Smart Dog Training turn effort into a plan you can trust.

How early should I start using the templates

Start eight weeks before your event. Repeat the full review at four weeks, two weeks, and the final week. This timeline is baked into the IGP pre trial review templates.

Can these templates help with BH VT

Yes. The same Smart Method applies. The IGP pre trial review templates include a BH VT version for heeling, positions, recall, and traffic test.

What if my dog struggles with the out

Use the protection template to rebuild clarity. Pair a fair cue with a clean release and a strong reward for the decision to let go. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will guide your steps.

How do I keep my dog motivated without chaos

Follow the Smart Method. Keep commands clear, use rewards to drive engagement, and add pressure with a clean release. The IGP pre trial review templates show you when to add each layer.

Can Smart trainers help me on trial day

Yes. Smart Dog Training supports handlers with ring plans and warm ups that fit the dog. Use your templates to brief the coach so support is precise and calm.

Conclusion

Great trial days are built in the weeks before you step on the field. IGP pre trial review templates keep you honest, focused, and ready. They bring the Smart Method to every part of your work so your dog understands the job, wants to do it, and stays accountable without conflict. Use the templates, review your notes, and repeat. That is how you turn training into titles.

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