Perfecting Motion Exercises in IGP

Why Motion Exercises Matter in IGP

Clean, confident positions during heelwork define high scoring obedience. Motion exercises in IGP are the sit in motion, down in motion with recall, and stand in motion delivered while the handler maintains forward heelwork. These skills test clarity, speed, steadiness, and the bond between dog and handler under pressure. At Smart Dog Training, we use the Smart Method to build reliable responses with drive and accuracy that hold up anywhere.

From our first session, your dog learns exactly what each position means, when to move, and when to hold. A certified Smart Master Dog Trainer guides the process so your foundation is strong, your mechanics are correct, and your dog understands how to win. If you want consistent excellence in motion exercises in IGP, you need a structured plan, fair guidance, and thoughtful progression.

The Smart Method for Motion Exercises in IGP

The Smart Method is our proven system for IGP obedience. It builds performance through five pillars that directly shape motion exercises in IGP.

Clarity

We separate cues, markers, and positions so there is no confusion. Each position has its own verbal cue and hand picture. We use precise markers to signal success, release, and reward opportunity. Clarity prevents creeping, forging, and slow responses in motion exercises in IGP.

Pressure and Release

We use fair guidance paired with immediate release to teach accountability without conflict. The dog learns how to switch off light pressure by choosing the correct position, then earns reinforcement. This produces clean, repeatable behaviour during motion exercises in IGP.

Motivation

Rewards drive engagement. Food for accuracy and toy play for speed keep the dog sharp and eager. We balance arousal with impulse control so motion exercises in IGP look fast, crisp, and calm.

Progression

We layer difficulty step by step. First stillness, then micro motion, then handler motion, then heelwork. After that we add duration, distance, distractions, and surfaces. This progression makes motion exercises in IGP reliable on any trial field.

Trust

We build a calm working partnership. The dog trusts the cues, trusts the release, and trusts the handler’s consistency. Trust prevents stress responses and keeps the dog confident through every phase of the exercise.

Understanding the Three Motion Positions

Before training, know the purpose of each position in motion exercises in IGP.

• Sit in motion. Dog sits fast and holds position while the handler continues forward, then returns behind and to heel on cue.
• Down in motion with recall. Dog downs on cue, holds until the recall marker, then sprints, fronts, and finishes clean.
• Stand in motion. Dog stops in a true stand without stepping after the cue, holds until the handler returns.

All three must show quick response, clear position, and stable hold without creeping. Handlers must show straight lines, smooth pace changes, and quiet handling throughout.

Foundation Skills Before You Add Motion

Great motion exercises in IGP start long before heelwork. We install three core foundations.

Positions With Stillness

• Teach sit, down, and stand on a platform for clear foot targets.
• Install separate verbal cues, one cue per position.
• Add a clear stay condition with a neutral marker that tells the dog to hold.
• Reward in position often so the hold becomes valuable.

Marker System

• Success marker. Confirms the correct position.
• Release marker. Signals the dog is free to move.
• Reward marker. Sends the dog to food or toy placed with intention.

This marker language gives you precise control during motion exercises in IGP.

Heel Position and Commitment Line

We teach a straight, tight heel position with focus on a commitment line. The dog learns that if heel is active, eyes stay up and the shoulder stays at the seam of the handler’s leg. The commitment line keeps the dog from anticipating positions before the cue during motion exercises in IGP.

Teaching the Sit in Motion

Here is a step by step plan we use at Smart Dog Training for sit in motion. It builds speed in the sit and steadiness in the hold so it shines in motion exercises in IGP.

Step 1. Sit From a Walk on Lead

• Walk with loose lead, cue sit, stop moving for a half second as the dog folds into sit, then immediately step forward again. Mark success, reward in position.
• If the dog is slow, rehearse static sits with fast reinforcement. If the dog forges, reset heel position before trying again.

Step 2. Sit While You Keep Moving

• Walk at a steady pace, cue sit, do not pause, move on confidently. The dog should plant fast. Mark, return to the dog, reward in position.
• Keep angles straight to avoid drawing the dog forward. Reward close to the chest to reduce scooting.

Step 3. Variable Paces

• Repeat at slow, normal, and fast pace so the sit cue cuts through pace changes.
• Reinforce the first rep of each pace to protect speed in motion exercises in IGP.

Step 4. Handler Return and Heel Resume

• Return around the dog with quiet posture. Reward. Cue heel, clean restart.
• Do not pull the dog up with the lead. The dog should offer a crisp rise on the heel cue.

Common Errors and Fixes

• Dog creeps forward. Reward in position more. Place the first reward behind the dog once or twice to anchor the sit.
• Dog swings rear. Use a platform under the back feet to hold alignment. Fade the platform once straightness sticks.
• Late response. Shorten the distance after the cue and pay the next three sits heavily for speed.

Teaching the Down in Motion With Recall

This is the most demanding of the motion exercises in IGP since it blends speed down with a clean recall and front. Our plan keeps each piece clear, then chains them together.

Step 1. Fast Downs on the Spot

• Use a food lure or hand target to fold the dog into a quick sphinx down. Mark the instant elbows hit.
• Pay several times in the down to build value for holding.

Step 2. Down From a Slow Walk

• Walk slowly, cue down, step forward one step, turn, return to the dog, reward in position.
• Do not recall yet. Rehearse a solid hold first.

Step 3. Add Recall Separately

• From a static down at distance, cue the recall marker, reinforce a fast sprint in. Build a straight front with a channel or two guides.
• Finish to heel with clear footwork. Reward after the finish.

Step 4. Chain the Pieces

• Walk at normal pace, cue down, move on, then after a short pause give your recall marker. Dog runs in, fronts, and finishes.
• Only recall on every second or third rep. Often return to reward in position so the dog does not anticipate the recall in motion exercises in IGP.

Common Errors and Fixes

• Slow drop. Pay explosive downs from very short distances. Keep arousal high with a quick play burst after correct reps.
• Early recall. The dog moves before the marker. Reduce distance, return and reward in position, then increase distance again.
• Messy front. Use a short channel or a low barrier to guide straightness. Fade the guide once muscle memory holds.

Teaching the Stand in Motion

The stand must be a true stop, not a creeping plant. Many dogs want to fold into a sit. We make the stand its own clear behaviour in motion exercises in IGP.

Step 1. Build a Solid Stand

• Teach a nose target forward so the dog stands by moving weight to the front rather than sitting.
• Mark stillness with four feet planted. Reward from the side of the head so the dog does not tuck.

Step 2. Stand From Heel

• From slow heel, give the stand cue, keep walking, return and reward in position.
• If the dog steps after the cue, you moved too fast. Reduce pace and distance, then try again.

Step 3. Proof Against Anticipation

• Mix several sits and downs before a stand rep. Vary the order so the dog listens to the cue during motion exercises in IGP.
• Pay high for the first stand of each session to keep enthusiasm and speed.

Handler Mechanics That Win Points

Fluent motion exercises in IGP require tight handler skills. Your dog reads you. We coach these details in every Smart programme.

• Footwork. Keep straight lines, consistent stride length, and balanced turns. Markers and cues land while your feet are steady.
• Pace control. Teach slow, normal, and fast paces. Cue positions at all three so the dog does not hinge on one rhythm.
• Lead management. Keep the lead quiet and neutral. Any lift or slack change can cue the dog. We teach a silent hand.
• Head and shoulders. Upright posture keeps your line straight. Eyes forward mean less social pressure on the dog.

Criteria and Session Design

We set specific criteria for motion exercises in IGP, then we stick to them. That is how consistency appears on trial day.

• One position per mini block. Two to four reps, then swap position or pace.
• First rep easy. Prove success early, then raise the bar.
• Reward placement with purpose. In position to anchor steadiness, forward to drive recalls, to heel to sharpen restarts.
• Short sessions. Ten to twelve minutes with high quality reps beats long drilling.

Proofing for Real Fields

Motion exercises in IGP must hold under distraction, weather, and different surfaces. We proof with intention.

• Surfaces. Train on grass, turf, and fine gravel so foot feel does not change the response.
• Environmental noise. Add mild sound, then crowd movement, then a helper at a distance to simulate trial energy.
• Travel. Train at two or three venues each month so context does not control behaviour.
• Trial flow. Rehearse the full heeling pattern and position order with a steward. Score your own runs against the rulebook.

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.

Troubleshooting Motion Exercises in IGP

If an issue repeats, isolate the piece, fix it, then rebuild the chain.

• Anticipation. Randomise which position you ask for. Sometimes return and reward in position, sometimes recall, sometimes heel away.
• Creeping. Pay a calm hold. Step away and return many times with quiet rewards before any release.
• Lag in heel. Reduce reinforcement for positions for a few reps, pay heel focus and drive, then add positions back in.
• Handler nerves. Rehearse full patterns, breathe on cue, and visualise your timeline. Nerves transfer to the dog.

Scoring Insights and What Judges Want

Judges want clarity, speed, and harmony in motion exercises in IGP. Points drop for slow response, extra steps, crooked sits, broken holds, and messy fronts or finishes. You protect points by showing decisive cues, steady pace, and a dog that looks eager yet controlled. Our coaching tunes these fine details so you gain half points that decide podium places.

Weekly Plan for Reliable Results

Use this simple plan to keep motion exercises in IGP sharp.

• Two short position sessions. Focus on speed and hold, pay in position.
• One chain session. Run heelwork with one position, then expand to two, then all three.
• One proofing session. New venue, new surface, or added distraction.
• Review and adjust. Track response time, position quality, and any signs of anticipation.

When to Seek Expert Coaching

If you see confusion, inconsistent speed, or creeping that does not resolve within two weeks, bring in help. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will spot handler tells, timing issues, and reinforcement errors that are hard to see on your own. Coaching fast tracks your dog’s understanding and protects confidence during motion exercises in IGP.

How Smart Dog Training Supports Competitors

Every Smart programme is tailored to your dog, your goals, and your level. We install the Smart Method from the first session so motion exercises in IGP become clean, fast, and repeatable. You get structured plans, clear homework, and coached repetitions that build true reliability. We also help with ring craft, travel routines, and mental prep so your team performs under pressure.

If you are ready for guided, results driven training, you can Find a Trainer Near You and start building your best performance.

FAQs on Motion Exercises in IGP

What are motion exercises in IGP and why are they hard

They are the sit, down with recall, and stand delivered while you keep heeling. They are hard because the dog must be fast, accurate, and stable while you move away. With the Smart Method, we build clarity and motivation first, then layer difficulty until the dog is reliable.

How long does it take to make them trial ready

Most teams see solid progress within six to eight weeks when following a structured plan. True ring confidence can take three to six months, which includes proofing and field rehearsals.

Should I reward the hold or the release

Both. Rewarding in position builds steadiness. Rewarding on release builds drive. We balance both so motion exercises in IGP stay fast and clean.

My dog anticipates the recall after the down. What now

Return and reward in the down more often than you recall for two weeks. Randomise your pattern. Keep recalls explosive when you do run them.

Can I fix creeping in the stand without losing drive

Yes. Reward the first three seconds of stillness with a high value reward, then gradually extend the hold. Keep your marker timing crisp and your posture neutral.

Do I need special equipment

No. A lead, a few platforms, and well placed food or a toy are enough. The system matters more than the tools. Smart programmes provide the structure and coaching you need.

How do I know if my cues are clear

Each cue should produce the same response from one metre or ten metres, in slow or fast pace, with or without a reward in your hand. If not, refine your marker timing and reduce criteria until the dog is right again.

Conclusion

When you build clarity, motivation, and accountability step by step, motion exercises in IGP transform from a stress point to a showcase of teamwork. Sit, down, and stand in motion become fast, steady, and reliable across fields and conditions. The Smart Method gives you a simple, progressive path. If you want expert eyes on the details that win points, our nationwide network is ready to help.

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