IGP Send Away Fade In Strategy

IGP Send Away Fade In Strategy

The IGP send away looks simple on paper. Your dog runs straight ahead with speed, then downs at distance on cue and holds until you arrive. In real life, most teams lose points on straightness, speed, the down, or handler help. This is where the IGP send away fade in strategy shines. At Smart Dog Training, we use a structured approach that builds the full exercise in layers so your dog understands each piece, then blends them without stress. Every step follows the Smart Method for clarity, motivation, progression, pressure and release, and trust. Your local Smart Master Dog Trainer will guide you through the entire process with a plan that works in real trials.

Before we get into the steps, note that this is not about shortcuts. The IGP send away fade in strategy sets out clear criteria and raises them in small amounts. We fade in the full picture while keeping your dog confident and accountable. If you want predictable results, this is the blueprint.

What The Send Away Is Really Testing

The send away in IGP obedience tests three things. First, forward drive and commitment on cue. Second, a fast down at distance with no creeping or circling. Third, control under high arousal. The handler must stay neutral with a clear start ritual and crisp cues. The IGP send away fade in strategy aligns each of these parts to produce a clean picture the judge expects.

• Forward drive on a straight line
• Fast down at distance
• Stability and focus under arousal

With Smart Dog Training, we design each piece so the dog earns rewards for hitting exact criteria. That is how we produce strong scores and reliable behaviour.

The Smart Method Applied To The Send Away

Our Smart Method pillars build the foundation for the IGP send away fade in strategy.

• Clarity: Simple cues, consistent markers, and precise start rituals
• Pressure and Release: Fair guidance to shape line and speed, released the moment the dog makes the right choice
• Motivation: High value rewards the dog cares about, placed to support the forward line and the down
• Progression: Distance, duration, and difficulty increase in small steps
• Trust: Calm, confident energy with zero confusion

Every Smart Master Dog Trainer is coached to deliver this exact structure so your dog learns fast and keeps the behaviour for the long term.

Why The Fade In Approach Works

Many teams rush to full distance or hide a toy at the end, then hope the dog figures out the down. That often creates scanning, looping, or slow downs. The IGP send away fade in strategy avoids that by feeding the picture in layers:

• Build a forward magnet first
• Layer a clean down cue on top of real speed
• Blend both when the dog is clear
• Fade visible targets while keeping commitment
• Proof on real fields with context

We do not remove support until the dog proves they can hold criteria. That is how we keep speed and accuracy together.

Set Up And Equipment

Your starter list for the IGP send away fade in strategy is simple and effective:

• Long line for safety and straightness
• A clear forward target such as a small platform or a ground marker that we will fade
• High value reward that can be delivered at distance, such as food in a bowl or a ball tossed from the handler
• Cones or a lane to build a runway for a straight line
• Reliable markers: a terminal marker to release to reward, a keep going marker, and a calm reset marker

We use these tools only to build clarity. As the IGP send away fade in strategy progresses, we remove the visible pieces while keeping the behaviour strong.

Start Rituals And Marker Clarity

A crisp start ritual reduces handler help and keeps your dog focused. Align it with the IGP send away fade in strategy:

• Heel into position
• Pause and breathe to settle the dog
• Give the send cue once only
• Stay neutral and quiet while the dog runs

Markers matter. Your terminal marker pays the dog where the behaviour should be anchored. Your keep going marker tells the dog the line is correct. Your reset marker calmly ends the rep without frustration. This is the clarity piece that supports clean heeling into the send and a neutral handler picture.

Phase 1 Build Forward Value At Short Distance

The IGP send away fade in strategy starts at 3 to 5 metres. We pair the send cue with a visible target straight ahead. The dog drives to the target and gets the terminal marker at the target. Do 5 to 7 reps per session with short breaks. End the session while the dog still wants more.

• Criteria: straight line, full commitment, fast arrival
• Reinforcement: pay at the target
• Handler picture: neutral, quiet, no body lean

Once the dog is blasting to the target without hesitation, you can grow distance by 2 to 3 metres per session.

Phase 2 Create A Runway And Straight Line

We now add cones or a short lane to show the line. This supports the IGP send away fade in strategy by making the correct choice obvious. Keep the start ritual the same. Keep reps short and hot. The long line sits loose but ready in case the dog tries to deviate.

• If the dog wavers, shorten distance slightly
• Pay at the end to keep the magnet forward
• Fade the lane width over sessions

When the line is sharp at 20 to 25 metres, move to the next phase.

Phase 3 Establish Commitment Before The Down

The common error is asking for the down too early and killing speed. In the IGP send away fade in strategy we set a commitment point. That is where the dog is locked on and no longer checks back. At this stage:

• Mark and pay only when the dog hits the commitment point with speed
• If the dog looks back, do a quiet reset and make the short rep easy
• Keep the handler neutral to prevent cueing with body language

Our goal is to build the habit of forward first. The down comes next, layered on top of real speed.

Phase 4 Layer The Distance Down Without Slowing Speed

Now we blend the down. The IGP send away fade in strategy uses a two step plan to protect speed:

1. Down at the target: Ask for the down as the dog arrives at the visible marker. Pay on the ground to anchor the down position.
2. Down just before the target: Gradually cue the down a metre or two before arrival. Maintain fast payout. If speed drops, close the distance and rebuild speed.

Keep your voice calm and consistent. Do not repeat the cue. A single clear down cue is part of the judge friendly picture.

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.

Phase 5 Fade The Target While Keeping The Line

It is time to remove the visible support. The IGP send away fade in strategy fades the target in three steps:

• Shrink the target over several sessions
• Replace with a small, low contrast marker only you can see
• Remove the marker and pay from the handler for a clean down at distance

Keep the runway if needed while you fade the target. Then remove runway pieces one at a time. If straightness drops, re add a small part of the support and progress again.

Phase 6 Add Distance, Duration, And Difficulty

Now you own the behaviour. The IGP send away fade in strategy makes gains in small steps:

• Distance: add 5 metres, then hold criteria for two or three sessions
• Duration: increase the hold before you walk to the dog
• Difficulty: change fields, add mild distractions, then realistic ones

Do not push all three at once. If one variable gets harder, the others get easier. This is the progression pillar in action.

Phase 7 Field Proofing And Trial Picture

The IGP send away fade in strategy is built to transfer to any IGP field. Proof these elements:

• Heeling pattern into the send on different lines
• Equipment on the field such as jumps and dumbbells
• Stewards, judges, and helpers standing at the edge
• Wind and scent pools near the end zone

Run the full routine with neutral hands, no leaning, and a single send cue. Ask for the down at your planned marker point and keep your walk to the dog calm and direct.

Using Pressure And Release Fairly

Smart Dog Training builds accountability without conflict. In the IGP send away fade in strategy we may guide with a long line if the dog breaks straightness or ignores the down. Pressure is light, to the side, and ends the moment the dog makes the right choice. Then we reward generously. This teaches responsibility and keeps trust high.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with good structure, you may hit bumps. Use the IGP send away fade in strategy fixes below.

• Dog loops or scans: shorten distance, re add a narrow lane, pay hard for straight lines
• Dog slows before the down: move the down cue closer to the target, pay fast, then fade back out
• Dog misses the down: lower arousal with a calm start, ask closer, give instant feedback, then reward once correct
• Dog looks back: build more reps of forward first, keep handler picture still and neutral
• Dog breaks the hold: reduce duration, pay on the ground, walk calmly back with no excitement

Advanced Handler Picture And Cue Control

Judges dock points for extra help. The IGP send away fade in strategy prepares your picture.

• Head and shoulders neutral at the send
• Hands quiet at your sides
• One clear verbal send cue
• One clear down cue at your planned marker point

Video your sessions. Small handler changes can fix dog mistakes without more reps.

Sample Two Week Progression Plan

Use this simple plan to put the IGP send away fade in strategy into practice. Keep sessions short. Two to three sets per day, three to five reps per set.

• Days 1 to 3: Short sends to a visible target at 5 to 10 metres. Pay at target.
• Days 4 to 6: Add runway for straightness. Grow to 15 to 20 metres.
• Days 7 to 9: Introduce down at the target, then 1 metre before. Keep speed high.
• Days 10 to 12: Shrink the target, fade runway width, add mild field distractions.
• Days 13 to 14: Remove visible target, add distance in small steps, ask for a calm hold.

Adjust as needed. If any piece slips, step back one stage, rebuild, and move forward again.

How Smart Trainers Reinforce For Real Trials

Reinforcement placement shapes the picture. The IGP send away fade in strategy uses different sources at each phase:

• Early: reward at the end to build forward drive
• Middle: reward on the ground to anchor the down
• Late: reward from the handler after the hold to match the trial end

This keeps the dog motivated while building a picture that matches the score sheet.

Integrating The Send Away With The Whole Routine

Send away success depends on what comes before and after. The IGP send away fade in strategy blends with heeling, retrieves, and finishes. Keep transitions calm. Use the same markers and the same start ritual. End sessions on a win and keep your dog fresh for the next day.

When To Ask For Help

If you feel stuck, a second set of eyes can save weeks. Our SMDT coaches use the IGP send away fade in strategy daily with sport dogs across the UK. They will refine your handler picture, adjust your reward plan, and set clear criteria for each session.

Your dog deserves training that feels good and works on the field. Find a Trainer Near You for one to one coaching or structured group support.

FAQs

What is the IGP send away fade in strategy?

It is a step by step plan from Smart Dog Training that builds the send away in layers. We start close with a clear forward target, build speed and straightness, add the down at distance, then fade supports. This creates fast straight sends and reliable downs.

How long does it take to train the send away with this method?

Most teams see clear results in two to four weeks of focused work. Full field reliability varies by dog and handler. The IGP send away fade in strategy keeps sessions short and focused so progress stays steady.

Will fading the target make my dog slow down?

Not if you follow the plan. We protect speed by asking for the down only when the dog shows real commitment. We fade supports in stages and keep motivation high. If speed dips, we step back and rebuild.

What markers should I use?

Use a terminal marker to release to reward, a keep going marker to confirm the line, and a calm reset marker. The IGP send away fade in strategy depends on clear marker timing to keep the dog confident.

Can I use a long line without making the dog handler focused?

Yes. Keep the line loose. Apply light guidance only if the dog breaks criteria and release the instant they correct. The IGP send away fade in strategy uses pressure and release fairly so the dog stays responsible and forward focused.

How do I know when to cue the down?

Pick a commitment point based on your dog’s body language. Cue once at that point. In training, place the cue just before the target, then gradually farther from it. The IGP send away fade in strategy sets this timing so speed and accuracy stay high.

What if my dog lies down crooked or creeps?

Re anchor the down with rewards delivered on the ground at the correct position. Reduce duration and rebuild. The IGP send away fade in strategy fixes form first, then adds time.

Do I need a professional to run this plan?

You can start on your own, but coaching speeds things up. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will tailor the IGP send away fade in strategy to your dog and field, and help you avoid common handler patterns that cost points.

Conclusion

The IGP send away fade in strategy gives you a clear path to fast straight sends and a crisp down that holds under pressure. It blends the Smart Method pillars with practical steps you can apply today. Build forward drive, protect speed, add the down with precision, then fade supports while proofing on real fields. If you want reliable results on the score sheet, this is the system.

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