IGP Tight Transport Phase Corrections

IGP Tight Transport Phase Corrections

When handlers ask how to steady their dog in the escort, they are really asking about IGP tight transport phase corrections. This is the crucible of protection work where precision meets pressure. At Smart Dog Training, we apply the Smart Method so your dog stays clear, willing, and accountable in every step. As a Smart Master Dog Trainer led team, we coach handlers to build calm power without conflict.

What Tight Transport Means in IGP

The tight transport is the escort after the out and guard, and also the back transport in front of the helper. Judges want straight, close position, neutral emotions, and full handler control. The dog should not forge, crab, bump, vocalise, or look for a bite. You must show safe, consistent control while the helper moves with energy.

Why Corrections Matter and How Smart Applies Them

In this phase, a dog can feel high drive and social pressure. Fair IGP tight transport phase corrections give the dog a clear path back to the right answer. We use the Smart Method to balance guidance and motivation. Corrections are not anger. They are information with a way out. That is how you keep scores and keep trust.

Foundation Before Corrections

Marker Clarity and Positions

Before any IGP tight transport phase corrections, your dog must know simple markers. We use a clear yes marker to release to reward, a good marker to sustain behaviour, and a no marker to mark an error and reset. Heel position is defined by a target point at your seam. The head is up and neutral. The body is straight. If this is not fluent, fix it first.

Equipment and Safety

Use a well fitted flat collar or training collar, a short lead for side transport, and a long line when needed in early drills. Test all gear before working with a helper. Keep the field safe. Safety makes learning faster.

Helper and Handler Roles

In the transport, the helper presents movement and pressure while you maintain position. The helper should stay predictable during early sessions. Later, the helper can add realistic changes. The handler sets pace, lines up the dog, and delivers timely IGP tight transport phase corrections only when the dog knows the job.

The Smart Method for Transport Reliability

Clarity

We define the transport picture with precise cues. Heel means heel even next to a helper. The guard ends with an out, a clear hold and bark cease, and a clean heel cue into transport. Commands and markers are crisp so the dog knows the exact job.

Pressure and Release

Guidance is fair and brief. Pressure turns off the moment the dog returns to position. The release and reward confirm the choice. This is the heart of effective IGP tight transport phase corrections in the Smart Method.

Motivation

We pay with food or a tug at set moments away from the helper to avoid conflict. Praise is calm and sincere. The dog learns that steady work pays well.

Progression

We scale difficulty in small steps. First without a helper. Then with a neutral helper. Then with pace changes, turns, and light threat. We add duration only when the last step is solid.

Trust

Trust grows when you are consistent and fair. When the dog feels safe, transport becomes the calm part of protection. That is the Smart goal.

Common Faults in Tight Transport

Forging and Bumping

Dogs surge toward the helper or crowd your left leg. This costs points and can be unsafe.

Crabbing and Wide Hip

The rear swings out to watch the helper. The line of travel drifts. This shows a lack of clarity or conflict.

Lagging and Loss of Focus

Some dogs drop behind, watch the decoy, or sniff. Often this follows over correction or unclear marks.

Checking the Helper and Eye Contact Issues

Frequent glances to the helper show lack of focus on the job. The dog must stay oriented to the handler and path.

Vocalising and Conflict

Whining, barking, or chattering indicates stress. IGP tight transport phase corrections must lower conflict, not add to it.

IGP Tight Transport Phase Corrections That Work

Micro Drills Without a Helper

Rebuild position without the social pressure of a helper. Walk five to eight steps, stop, and pay clean heels. If the dog forges, use a brief no marker, step back to reset, and ask again. Reward the first correct step. Repeat until the dog offers neutral, straight movement.

Static Transport Reset

Set the dog in heel. Stand next to a stationary helper stand in for now, like a cone. Cue heel and take one step. If the dog crowds, interrupt with the no marker and step back to start. If the dog is straight, mark good and pay. Build to two, three, then five steps. Replace the cone with your helper later.

Step Off and the First Three Steps Rule

Most errors happen in the first strides. Count three quiet steps before you say good. If there is a fault, apply a brief leash cue with a no marker, reset, and try again. This targets the weak point and gives instant clarity.

Corner Turns and Handler Footwork

Dogs often crab on turns. Before adding a helper, teach inside and outside turns without drift. Use slow steps and reward the straight hip. A short leash helps you show the line. When the dog turns cleanly for ten reps, add the helper at a distance and repeat.

Precision Correction Techniques

Line Handling and Collar Information

Use the leash as information, not punishment. A light pop paired with the no marker is enough when the dog knows heel. The instant the dog returns to position, release pressure and mark good. This is the cleanest form of IGP tight transport phase corrections and prevents nagging.

Spatial Pressure and Body Blocks

Use your body to prevent crabbing. If the hip flares out, slow your pace and step slightly toward the dog to bring the rear in. Mark and pay when the hip returns straight. This is neutral and low conflict.

Interruption Marker and Restart

A clear no marker tells the dog the last choice was wrong. Pair it with a brief stop, return to start, and try again. Keep the tone neutral. The dog should see a path to success right away.

Reward Delivery Without Conflict

Pay from your left hand at your seam or from your right to keep the head up and body straight. Do not pay toward the helper. Move away to reward. This keeps the picture clean and makes IGP tight transport phase corrections rare.

Building Duration and Distraction

Speed Changes With Control

Drill slow, normal, and fast pace for ten to twenty steps. If the dog forges in fast, interrupt and restart. If the dog lags in slow, use a cheerful tap on the thigh and then mark the first catch up step. Layer in only one challenge at a time.

Threat Picture and Stick Carry Without Conflict

Once the escort is clean, add mild threat. The helper walks naturally with the stick held still. Then the helper swings the stick gently without contact. Your dog should remain in neutral. If the dog loads, stop, breathe, and reset. Apply IGP tight transport phase corrections only if the dog knows the rule and breaks it. Then reward a calm restart.

Progressive Plan Week by Week

Week One to Two Foundation

• Marker refresh and heel position on a quiet field
• Short step offs with the three step rule
• Inside and outside turns without a helper

Week Three to Four Adding a Helper

• Static transports next to a neutral helper
• Five to ten step escorts with one planned stop
• One speed change per rep

Week Five to Six Adding Pressure

• Helper normal movement and light stick swing
• Corner turns near the helper
• Escort past distractions like gates and blind areas

At each step, use IGP tight transport phase corrections only as needed. Most reps should be correct and rewarded. That balance keeps drive high and nerves low.

Troubleshooting Matrix

If the Dog Forges

• Shorten the first rep to two steps
• Apply a light leash pop with no marker, reset, retry
• Pay the first neutral step after reset

If the Dog Lags

• Use upbeat voice and smaller steps
• Mark and pay tiny increases in pace
• Avoid heavy corrections that can crush attitude

If the Dog Looks Away to the Helper

• Increase reward rate for eye line forward
• Reward from the hand closest to the dog at your seam
• Interrupt only if the dog breaks position, then restart

If the Dog Vocalises

• Reduce arousal before reps
• Shorten duration and pay calm breaths
• If vocal in position, pause, wait for silence, mark good, then move

Proofing in Trial Conditions

Field Entries and Steward Calls

Rehearse walking to blinds, meeting the steward, and starting the transport on cue. The more you stage this, the less your dog will guess at the helper. Clean rehearsal reduces the need for IGP tight transport phase corrections on trial day.

Environmental Proofing

Work on different fields, with different helpers, and in various weather. Keep criteria the same. The dog learns that heel is heel in every place.

How Judges Score the Transport

What Judges Want

Judges want a straight, close escort with full control. They look for clean start, smooth pace, quiet dog, and precise stops and turns. Faults like bumping, crabbing, and vocalising reduce points.

How to Avoid Deductions

• Set up the start with care and breathe
• Use the three step rule to catch early drift
• Keep rewards calm and away from the helper
• Use IGP tight transport phase corrections sparingly and with perfect timing

When to Involve a Smart Master Dog Trainer

Signs You Need Help

• Repeat crabbing or forging despite clean drills
• Vocalising that gets worse under pressure
• Loss of out or guard as you approach the transport

What to Expect in a Session

A certified Smart Master Dog Trainer will assess markers, heel picture, reward timing, line handling, and helper pressure. We remove conflict and map a step by step plan using IGP tight transport phase corrections that fit your dog. You will leave with clear drills and a progression schedule.

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.

Real World Case Flow Using the Smart Method

A young Malinois forged and bumped on every escort. We rebuilt heel away from the helper for three sessions. Then we added a neutral helper and used a single no marker with a light leash pop at step one when he surged. We paid the first neutral step after each reset. Within two weeks, the dog walked ten steps in tight transport without a single bump. By week four, we added a slow pace and light stick carry. No vocal, no crab, clean stops. This is how IGP tight transport phase corrections should feel: short, fair, and effective.

Advanced Drills for Precision

Metronome Pace Training

Walk to a steady count. Match your steps and reward on the count to stop you from rushing. Many handler errors create dog errors.

Stop on a Breath

Teach the dog that a calm breath means a stop is near. Your exhale becomes a cue to settle. This lowers arousal before the halt.

Helper Shadow Pass

Have the helper walk on the other side of a barrier while you escort parallel at a distance. This lowers social pressure while keeping the picture. It reduces the need for IGP tight transport phase corrections in early stages.

FAQs

What are IGP tight transport phase corrections?

They are fair, brief interventions that guide the dog back to clean heel during the escort. In the Smart Method we pair a clear no marker with release and reward the moment the dog returns to position.

When should I start using corrections?

Only after the dog understands heel and markers in low distraction. Start without a helper, then add a neutral helper. Corrections come after clarity, not before.

Will corrections ruin my dog’s drive?

No, not when used with Smart balance. We use light pressure and fast release with generous rewards. This keeps drive high and choice clear.

What is the fastest way to fix crabbing?

Short step offs, inside turns at slow pace, and reward for a straight hip. Use body pressure to bring the rear in. Add the helper only after ten clean reps.

How do I stop forging at the start?

Use the three step rule. If the dog surges, mark no and reset. Reward the first neutral step. Build to five steps and then ten steps. Keep your pace even.

Should I reward near the helper?

No. Move away to pay. Reward near the helper can create conflict. Paying away keeps the head neutral and the body straight.

Can Smart help me prepare for trial day?

Yes. We stage full steward calls, helper movement, and field entry. We apply IGP tight transport phase corrections only as needed and polish footwork, timing, and calm handling.

How many sessions until I see change?

Most teams see cleaner escorts within two to four weeks when they follow the plan. The exact time depends on marker clarity, handling, and history.

Conclusion

IGP tight transport phase corrections should be simple, fair, and fast. With the Smart Method you will build a dog that stays neutral and precise around the helper while keeping joy for the work. Set clear markers, rehearse without pressure, then add pressure in steps. Use brief pressure and fast release, pay away from the helper, and keep your first three steps clean. If you need a second set of eyes, our nationwide team is ready.

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