Teaching the Send Away in IGP

Why the Send Away Matters

Teaching the Send Away in IGP is about one thing done well. Drive forward at speed, straight down the centre, then a clean down at distance under judge control. That clarity is what Smart Dog Training delivers. With the Smart Method, your dog learns to love the forward line and to respond to the down with calm certainty. Every step is measurable. Every layer builds reliability.

In the Smart system, a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer guides each stage so the behaviour never breaks under pressure. Teaching the Send Away in IGP demands precision and a plan. You will get both through Smart Dog Training.

What Judges Want to See

Judges reward a straight, powerful sprint on command, eyes up and forward, no hesitation, and no slicing toward the touchline. On the cue for the down, the dog must drop fast, hold position, and show a relaxed but ready posture until released. Teaching the Send Away in IGP the Smart way gives you a picture that looks the same in practice and on the trial field.

• Strong, forward commitment from the first step
• Clean, straight line without drift
• Instant down at distance
• Solid hold until the handler returns or is told to proceed

The Smart Method Behind a Reliable Send

The Smart Method is built on clarity, pressure and release, motivation, progression, and trust. Teaching the Send Away in IGP with this structure removes guesswork. We mark forward focus, reward accuracy, and build accountability in fair, simple steps. Dogs enjoy the work and understand the rules. That produces lasting results for sport and real life.

Clarity First

Commands and markers are exact. We name the forward send and the down. We use a clear terminal marker that means the reward comes from ahead. Your dog learns that the good stuff sits down the line.

Pressure and Release That is Fair

Guidance on a long line teaches the lane and the down. Pressure goes on only to stop mistakes and comes off the instant your dog makes the right choice. Teaching the Send Away in IGP requires this timing so the dog stays confident.

Motivation Drives Performance

We maintain speed with meaningful rewards placed forward. Food at first, then toys that open energy and intent. The target is never a mystery. Your dog knows what he is running to.

Progression That Makes Sense

Distance, duration, and distraction grow step by step. We proof early but fairly so nothing on the field is new. Teaching the Send Away in IGP with steady progression means no surprises on trial day.

Trust Built in Every Rep

We protect confidence by raising criteria only when your dog is ready. Our job is to make sure success is the most likely outcome.

Foundation Skills You Need First

A strong send away sits on simple skills. Nail these before you push distance.

• Marker system with clear reward delivery forward
• Reliable down command from a stand and from motion
• Drive into a straight line toward a visible reward
• Loose leash mechanics and calm start position at heel

Teaching the Send Away in IGP will move faster if your dog already enjoys running straight to a target and if the down is solid without handler help.

Field Setup and Equipment

Keep the picture tidy and safe.

• Use a long line between 5 and 10 meters for early control
• Pick a clear centre line with landmarks you can keep consistent
• Place a low reward station or a hidden bowl ahead to build value
• Have two toys that your dog loves and a food pouch for fast reinforcement

Smart Dog Training coaches keep the lane wide and clean during the first weeks. That keeps your dog straight and focused on what matters.

Teaching the Send Away in IGP

Here is the Smart plan that our teams use across the UK. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will adjust the steps to your dog so each layer stays clean.

Step 1 Build Forward Value

Place a reward bowl or toy at the end of your short lane. Walk your dog to the bowl, mark, and let him have it. Reset and repeat two or three times. Now turn back to your start point. Face down the lane with your dog in heel. Release with your forward marker and move with him for two steps, then let the long line slip while he drives to the reward. Teaching the Send Away in IGP starts by making the forward line pay every time.

Step 2 Short Sends With You Standing Still

Start at 5 to 10 meters. Dog in heel. Look forward. Give your send cue once. Do not step forward. If he commits, let the line slip and let him win the reward. If he stalls, step for one stride then stop. Mark when he hits the station. Keep reps short, two to four sends per set. End on a win.

Step 3 Extend the Lane

Move the reward further in 5 meter chunks. Teach your dog that the lane is always straight and always pays. Vary your start position a little left or right of the centre to prevent patterning while you still aim down the middle. Teaching the Send Away in IGP becomes a habit when the forward picture never lies.

Step 4 Fade the Visible Reward

Hide the reward in grass or use a helper to drop a toy from ahead after the dog passes a cone. Mark the moment of passing the cone so the toy arrives from forward. This keeps drive high when the bowl is gone. Keep the first hidden reps short. Confidence is the fuel.

Step 5 Add the Down at Distance

Teach the down separately with high standards. Down from motion at 5 meters, then 10, then 15. Reward in place. When you add it to the send, give the down cue as the dog reaches a clear marker cone. If he drops instantly, run forward and pay him there. If he glances back or slows, your line control supports the down. Pressure comes on until elbows hit, then release and reward. Teaching the Send Away in IGP needs that instant release so the dog trusts the rule.

Step 6 Generalise the Picture

Practice on different fields, with different start points, and varying wind and light. Vary the position of cones within a safe lane so the dog learns the rule, not the pattern. Keep the start routine the same so the dog settles.

Step 7 Proof With Mild Distractions

Add helpers walking at the edge of the field. Place a toy off the lane and proof the choice to stay straight. Mark correct choices. Use the long line to prevent detours. Your dog learns that the straight line is the fastest route to reinforcement.

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.

Handler Mechanics That Keep Dogs Straight

• Stand tall and face forward
• Keep your head over the centre line
• Give one clean send cue, no chatter
• Keep hands quiet after the cue
• Do not lean toward the dog or look down

Teaching the Send Away in IGP is as much about you as it is about your dog. Clean body language prevents confusion and keeps speed high.

Using Pressure and Release Without Conflict

Smart Dog Training uses fair guidance so dogs learn responsibility with confidence. When a mistake starts, apply light line pressure to block the wrong path. The instant your dog fixes the line or drops on the down, release the pressure and mark. Reward generously. The rule is simple. Pressure stops a mistake. Release and reward pay the right choice. Teaching the Send Away in IGP benefits from this balance.

Motivation That Sustains Speed

Speed fades if rewards go stale. Rotate high value food, a tug, or a ball that your dog adores. Keep a forward reward more often than not. When you pay from your pocket, step forward at pace to keep the forward picture alive. Keep sets short. Two or three sets of three to four reps beats one long grind.

Common Mistakes and Fast Fixes

Dog Drifts Off the Lane

Shorten distance. Rebuild value on a narrow lane with clear markers. Use your long line to block drift once, then reset and reward the next straight rep.

Dog Slows Before the Down

Move your down cue closer to the goal. Pay the fastest drop with a jackpot. Add surprise throws from ahead to keep drive up. Teaching the Send Away in IGP should always reward speed and commitment.

Dog Looks Back at the Handler

Handlers who chatter or step forward late cause checking. Give one cue and stay neutral. Ask a helper to deliver the toy from ahead so your attention is not the reward.

Dog Breaks the Down

Lower the excitement a notch. Pay in place. Build duration in small bites. Step away and back, then reward for holding. Only then add distance in the send again.

Distraction Proofing the Smart Way

We layer distractions from mild to strong. This is where many teams go too fast. Teaching the Send Away in IGP needs order.

• Start with static objects near the touchline
• Add slow moving helpers outside the lane
• Add sound at a distance
• Bring in a dog working far from the lane

Reward wise choices. Prevent poor ones. Keep the picture clean and the forward line sacred.

Progression Plan You Can Follow

Here is a simple progression used by Smart Dog Training coaches. Adjust to your dog and your schedule.

• Week 1 to 2 Short sends to a visible bowl. Build speed and straightness.
• Week 3 to 4 Extend distance in small steps. Stand still on the send.
• Week 5 Fade the bowl. Use a helper to deliver from forward.
• Week 6 Add the down at short distance. Pay in place.
• Week 7 Grow the down distance. Keep some reps without the down to maintain speed.
• Week 8 Start mild proofing. Short sessions. High success rate.
• Week 9 to 10 Trial picture with judge cues and real starts. Maintain speed with surprise forward rewards.

Teaching the Send Away in IGP works best when each week builds on true fluency, not wishful thinking.

Trial Day Routine

• Short warm up sends with a low arousal toy
• One clean down from motion close in
• End with a calm settle and quiet focus

Keep your own breathing and posture calm. Give the cue once. Trust your training. Teaching the Send Away in IGP should feel the same on the field as in practice.

Measuring Progress and Readiness

• Speed is consistent from 10 to full distance
• Down is instant at varying points
• Dog holds position until you return
• Performance stays steady on new fields

If two or more boxes lag, drop a layer and rebuild. Smart Dog Training always protects the picture before pushing criteria.

Real World Transfer

The skills that make a strong send away also build a great companion. Forward focus, impulse control, and a clean down at distance help in daily life. Doors, gates, open parks. Teaching the Send Away in IGP can carry over to calm, safe behaviour everywhere when trained the Smart way.

When to Work With a Pro

If you see looping, creeping downs, or conflict with the line, it is time for eyes on the ground. A Smart Master Dog Trainer will assess mechanics, reward placement, and pressure timing. You will leave with corrections that stick. Find a Trainer Near You and work with the UK network that teaches this picture every day.

FAQs

How long does Teaching the Send Away in IGP usually take

Most teams build a clean picture in eight to twelve weeks of steady work. Dogs with strong forward focus may progress faster. The Smart plan keeps steps small so proofing is easy.

What cue words should I use

Use a single forward cue and a single down cue. Keep them short and clear. Smart Dog Training will help you pick words that you can say under pressure.

Should I always reward from ahead

At first, yes. Forward rewards build the lane and speed. Later, mix in handler delivered rewards while you still step forward to protect the forward picture.

What if my dog anticipates the down

Remove the down for a few sessions. Pay fast straight sends. Then reintroduce the down closer to the goal with surprise forward rewards. Teaching the Send Away in IGP should never feel like a trap.

How do I keep the line straight without cones on trial day

Train on fields with minimal markers once the behaviour is strong. Use distant landmarks and your own stance. The dog learns to follow the rule, not the prop.

Can I fix a slow drop at distance

Yes. Rebuild the down close with big rewards for the fastest drops. Then add distance in small steps. Use fair pressure to block creeping, then release and pay the instant elbows hit.

What if my dog loses speed as distance grows

Shorten the lane and add surprise throws from ahead. Pay the first three steps of acceleration. Return to long distance only when the first strides are electric again.

Is the send away safe for young dogs

We limit distance and arousal for young bodies. Focus on straight lines, calm starts, and short sprints. Smart Dog Training will set age appropriate steps that protect joints.

Conclusion

Teaching the Send Away in IGP is simple when you control the picture. Build forward value. Keep commands clear. Use fair pressure and instant release. Progress in small steps and proof early. With Smart Dog Training, you get a system that produces speed, straightness, and a reliable down at distance. That is how you step onto the trial field ready to perform.

Your dog deserves training that truly works. With certified Smart Master Dog Trainers (SMDTs) nationwide, you'll get proven results backed by the UK's most trusted dog training network. Find a Trainer Near You