IGP Scorecards Explained

IGP Scorecards Explained

IGP scorecards explained is the guide handlers ask for when they want clear, practical answers on how judges award or deduct points. If you want reliable scores across tracking, obedience, and protection, you must understand what each exercise is worth and what the judge expects. As a Smart Master Dog Trainer within the Smart Dog Training network, I use a structured system that links every training step to the scorecard. That keeps you and your dog aligned with real outcomes on trial day.

This article breaks down the full scoring picture. You will learn how the points add up, what ratings mean, which faults cost the most, and how to train with precision using the Smart Method. You will also see how an SMDT sets clear criteria so your dog knows exactly how to win points while staying calm and confident.

How IGP Scoring Works

IGP has three phases. Tracking, obedience, and protection. Each phase is worth 100 points, for a total of 300. The judge awards points for correct performance and deducts for any fault. To title, you must earn at least 70 points in each phase. Your rating depends on your final score in that phase.

• Excellent 96 to 100
• Very Good 90 to 95
• Good 80 to 89
• Satisfactory 70 to 79
• Insufficient below 70

In protection the judge also gives a courage and nerve rating. This is the evaluation of the dog’s confidence under pressure. An insufficient rating can end the trial. Smart Dog Training prepares dogs for this pressure with controlled exposure, clarity, and fair accountability.

Why Judges Score This Way

IGP is a test of real control with drive. The judge wants to see a dog that is willing, stable, precise, and safe. Scorecards mirror that purpose. They reward clear responses, steady state of mind, and clean finishes. They remove points for conflict, confusion, and unsafe behaviour. At Smart Dog Training, this is exactly how we build dogs. The Smart Method uses clarity, pressure and release, motivation, progression, and trust so your dog learns to work with joy and responsibility.

Tracking Points Breakdown

Tracking tests the dog’s nose, problem solving, and steady behaviour on the line. While exact layouts change by level, the core scoring remains consistent. Judges look at how your dog starts the track, follows the scent, negotiates corners, indicates articles, and manages speed and intensity.

• Start The dog must take scent in a focused way and commit to the track.
• Line Work The dog works with a stable line tension. No searching outside of the track. No handler influence.
• Corners The dog turns with purpose and stays on the scent.
• Articles Calm, clear indication at each article without chewing or moving it.
• Overall Behaviour Consistent pace and nose down on the track.

Common Tracking Deductions

• Loose, unfocused start Minor to medium deduction.
• Overrunning corners Medium to major depending on distance and recovery.
• High nose or drifting Minor if brief, major if sustained.
• Handler influence Pulling the dog into the track or corner is a clear deduction.
• Article issues Slow indication, mouthing, or failing an article will cost heavy points.
• Loss of track Major. If the dog leaves the track and cannot recover, the phase can fail.

Smart Dog Training builds tracking in layers. We shape a clean article indication, build steady line pressure, and add complexity step by step. That progression turns into reliable points because your dog understands the job.

Obedience Points Breakdown

Obedience is the heart of teamwork. The judge looks for precision, attitude, and control. Exercises include heeling, positions under motion, retrieves over flat and jump, scaling wall, send away, and long down under distraction. IGP scorecards explained here will help you see where points are found or lost.

Heeling and Focus

Heeling must show close position, parallel shoulders, and consistent attention. Straight lines are straight. Turns are clean. Halts are crisp with a fast sit. The dog should look engaged but not frantic.

• Forging or lagging Small to medium deduction depending on severity.
• Wide or crabbing Medium deduction if sustained.
• Loss of attention Small if brief, larger if long or repeated.
• Slow sits at halts Small to medium.

Positions Under Motion

The dog must change positions on the first command with clean posture. The judge wants a fast response with minimal handler help.

• Double command Medium deduction.
• Creeping or extra steps Small to medium.
• Messy posture Crooked or rolled positions cost points.

Retrieves and Jumping

Retrieves show drive and control. The dog goes out fast, picks up the dumbbell cleanly, comes back straight, fronts square, and finishes tight. Jumps and the wall must be safe and controlled.

• Bumping handler or crooked front Minor to medium.
• Slow or chewing the dumbbell Medium.
• Refusal or knock on the jump Major or zero for that piece.

Send Away and Finish

The dog drives out in a straight line, drops on command, and stays until recalled or handlers pick up. Any arc, slow response, or creeping reduces points. A late down costs more than a small drift.

Long Down Under Distraction

The dog must remain calm and steady while another team works. Breaking position or vocalising leads to deductions or failure of that exercise.

Common Obedience Deductions

• Double commands or body cues Medium.
• Anticipation Breaking before command is a clear deduction.
• Slow responses Loss of attitude or delayed sits, downs, or stands.
• Handler errors Wrong set up or extra steps cost points.

Smart Dog Training prevents these issues with clarity and fair accountability. We teach exact heel position, proof impulse control, and build strong markers so your dog understands every cue. This is IGP scorecards explained in practice, not just theory.

Protection Points Breakdown

Protection evaluates control in drive. The judge expects strong search, powerful bark and hold, full calm grips, clean outs, solid guarding, and safe transports. The helper pressure should not change behaviour beyond what is allowed in the exercise.

Search and Bark and Hold

The dog must search blinds with speed and focus, then show a clear bark and hold. No bumping the helper. No grips before the command or attack. The bark should be rhythmic and confident.

• Missing a blind or slow search Small to medium deduction.
• Body contact in the hold Medium.
• Quiet or inconsistent barking Medium.

Grips, Pressure, and Outs

Grips should be full and calm. The dog must stay in the grip under pressure and reattacks. Outs should be fast on command with immediate guarding. Early outs, regrips, or chewing the sleeve cost points.

• Shallow grip Medium to major.
• Out problems Late or second command is a heavy deduction.
• Poor guarding after the out Loss of points for movement or lack of focus.

Transports and Obedience in Drive

Side transports and guarding show that the dog can be safe and under control with power in the tank. Crowding, lagging, or loss of attention costs points. Control after the long bite matters.

Deductions and Disqualifications

• Handler help Overhandling, touching the dog, or repeated signals.
• Nipping or lack of control outside of the allowed grips.
• Refusal to release Serious deductions or removal.
• Failure to engage or panic If the dog will not work or shows unsafe behaviour, the phase ends.

Smart Dog Training builds protection through the Smart Method. We give the dog clear rules, teach clean grips, and pair pressure and release so the dog learns responsibility without conflict. That is how we protect points while building courage and trust.

Ratings and Passing Requirements

IGP scorecards explained must include ratings and pass rules. You need at least 70 points per phase. Aim for Good as a base and build toward Very Good and Excellent. A single major error can drag a phase down. The safest path to high ratings is consistent execution across every exercise rather than chasing flashy moments that carry risk.

What Costs the Most Points

• Out problems in protection
• Article mistakes in tracking
• Jump refusals and wall faults
• Loss of attitude or drive control in obedience
• Double commands and handler help

Focus on these high risk areas in training. Smart trainers set tight standards, then add difficulty only when the dog hits the standard with confidence.

Training To The Scorecard With The Smart Method

IGP scorecards explained becomes simple when you train with a system that mirrors the judge’s checklist. Smart Dog Training uses five pillars that map directly onto points.

Clarity

We define each command, position, and release so the dog always understands the task. Clear markers lead to first time responses and fewer deductions for slow or messy behaviour.

Pressure and Release

We guide fairly and release with precision. This builds accountability without conflict. Dogs learn that correct choices turn pressure off and earn reward.

Motivation

We build value for each exercise using rewards that matter to your dog. A dog that wants the work shows the attitude judges reward.

Progression

We layer distraction, duration, and difficulty step by step. When we increase one variable, we hold the others steady. That way behaviour stays clean as the work gets harder.

Trust

We teach dogs to think, not just react. Trust keeps the dog stable in the ring and during protection pressure. It also keeps the team calm on trial day.

Proofing That Protects Points

Proofing is where most teams fail or fly. Smart Dog Training uses targeted proofing so the dog sees real trial pictures before the trial. We move from sterile training to controlled chaos, then back to sterile to test retention. You will practice heeling past distractions, keeping the nose down in tracking with cross tracks and turns, and outing cleanly with helpers that vary picture and pressure.

Handling and Trial Craft

Good handling can save points. Poor handling can sink a routine. You must know the pattern, marker rules, and how to set up clean lines. You must also master the pace of the ring. Breathe. Give each command once. Stand tall and neutral. Look like you expect success.

• Pre ring routine Build a calm start. Practice your set ups.
• Handler position Keep clean lines. Avoid blocking the judge’s view.
• Transitions Move with purpose. No fuss between exercises.
• Recovery After one error, reset fast and protect the next points.

An SMDT will run full ring rehearsals with you, including judge calls and helper pressure, so your behaviour matches the scorecard picture.

Fitness and Welfare For Reliable Scores

Scoring depends on the dog’s body as much as the brain. Good grips need strong neck and back. Clean jumps need flexible joints and core strength. Endurance keeps the nose down in tracking and drive stable in protection. Smart Dog Training builds structured conditioning into your plan so your dog can perform cleanly and safely.

Preparing For Trial Day

• Timeline Taper in the last week. Keep reps short and sharp.
• Equipment Check collars, leads, dumbbells, and line. Nothing new on the day.
• Warm up Short, focused, and specific to each phase.
• Mindset Visualise clean pictures. Focus on one exercise at a time.
• Recovery Food, water, shade, and rest between phases.

IGP scorecards explained is not only about points. It is about repeatable performance. Prepare the body and the brain and your scorecard will reflect it.

Reading Your Scorecard After The Trial

Treat your scorecard like a map. Look for patterns. If you lost points for slow sits and late outs, set new standards for those behaviours in training. If you bled points in corners and articles, rework your tracking foundation. Smart Dog Training rebuilds weak spots with clarity and reward, then adds pressure and proofing so the fix holds under stress.

Common Mistakes That Drain Scores

• Chasing drive without structure Arousal without rules produces messy pictures and deductions.
• Changing criteria The dog never knows the real rule and starts guessing.
• Skipping proofing The first time the dog sees pressure is in the ring.
• Poor recovery One error turns into three because the handler panics.
• Overhandling Extra signals and double commands stack up deductions.

Smart Coaching That Turns Scores Around

IGP scorecards explained only matters if you can act on it. Smart Dog Training programmes are built to turn rules into results. We coach you through foundation, proofing, trial craft, and ring rehearsal. You get clear criteria, measurable milestones, and support from a Smart Master Dog Trainer who has walked the path from training field to podium.

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IGP Scorecards Explained FAQs

What does a pass look like on the IGP scorecard

You need at least 70 points in each phase to pass. That gives a Satisfactory rating. Smart Dog Training aims for Good as a baseline so you have margin if one exercise goes wrong.

How do judges decide between small and big deductions

They look at how long the error lasts, how severe it is, and whether it affects safety or control. Brief lapses cost less than sustained faults. A single heavy error like a failed out can remove many points at once.

Which obedience exercise loses the most points

It depends on the day, but out problems, jump faults, and messy fronts and finishes are common point drains. Clean heel position and first time responses protect many small points across the routine.

How can I improve my tracking score fast

Fix article indication and corner behaviour first. Those are high value. Build a calm start and steady line work. Smart Dog Training builds these with short, clean tracks and gradual difficulty so success becomes habit.

What is the biggest risk in protection

Late or failed outs and loss of control around the helper. The fix is clarity and fair accountability. We pair pressure and release with strong reward history so the dog values the out and guarding picture.

Can nerves ruin an otherwise good routine

Yes. Handler nerves cause double commands, poor timing, and rushed set ups. We rehearse full ring routines so your mind has a script to follow. Calm handling saves points even when the dog makes a small error.

Does attitude matter or is it only about precision

Both matter. Judges want willing, confident work. Smart Dog Training keeps attitude high while shaping clean pictures. That balance turns into higher ratings across all phases.

Why is this guide called IGP scorecards explained

Because it breaks down what judges score and shows how to train for each point. It links every rule to a step you can use in practice so your results improve trial by trial.

Conclusion

IGP scorecards explained should give you two things. A clear picture of how judges think and a plan to win points without guesswork. The path is simple even if the work is hard. Build clarity, add fair accountability, reward desire, and progress step by step until your dog is reliable anywhere. That is the Smart Method. That is how you earn ratings you can repeat.

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