OG Thomond

Part 2
The Basics That Every Sport Dog Needs Before Advanced Training

Everyone wants the spectacular exercises.

Powerful heeling.
Fast retrieves.
Explosive protection work.
Perfect obedience.

But here’s the truth:

None of that matters if you haven’t built the foundation first.

Every successful sport dog is built on the same principles, regardless of the discipline.

1. Know Your Operant Tools

Before you teach your dog any exercise, you need to know which learning tools are available to you.

You should be able to work within all four quadrants of operant conditioning.

If you want to create positive emotions and motivation, you first need to build powerful reinforcers.

That can be food.( has your dog learned to work for food?)
That can be a toy.( can you play? I mean really pay well?)
That can be social praise. ( are you someone your dog can respect and your opinion is valued? )

The stronger these reinforcers become, the more effectively you can use them during training.

On the other hand, your dog also needs information about which behaviours are not desired.

A correction does not have to be violent. It simply needs to be something the dog finds unpleasant enough to understand that a particular behaviour should stop or should not occur again.

The better your tools work in all four quadrants, the more precisely you can influence behaviour.

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2. Never Ignore the Emotional State

Operant conditioning alone isn’t enough.

You also have to understand classical conditioning.

Every single training session should begin with one question:

What emotional state is my dog in right now?

Working dogs often become highly aroused very quickly.

High arousal isn’t automatically good or bad.

But the higher the arousal, the better your handling skills need to be.

Think of it like driving a Formula 1 car.

More speed requires more precision.

If you don’t know exactly how to steer, brake and accelerate, you’ll end up in the wall.

The same happens during dog training.

As a beginner, don’t try to train in extreme levels of excitement.

Lower arousal gives you more room for mistakes.

The higher the arousal, whether positive or negative, the faster learning happens—but mistakes become deeply established just as quickly.

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3. Know Exactly What You Want

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is that they don’t actually know what behaviour they are reinforcing.

Before every exercise, define it precisely.

What belongs in the exercise?

What does not?

Everything you don’t want should either never happen because of your training setup, or it should not be reinforced.

Too often we see dogs showing behaviours that were never intended:

* Looking away from the handler
* Losing concentration
* Becoming over-aroused
* Vocalising during exercises
* Showing unwanted aggression
* Breaking position

Yet the dog still receives the reward at the end.

From the dog’s perspective, everything that happened between the start of the exercise and the reward has just been reinforced—unless something clearly interrupted that learning process.

For example:

A dog leaves the food hand during food luring.
Then returns.
The handler continues and rewards.

Without restarting the exercise or giving the dog clear information, the dog learns that leaving position is simply part of the exercise.

Later people wonder why the dog keeps looking away during heeling.

The answer is simple.

Because it has been trained that way.

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4. Understand Learning Before Expecting High Performance

Many people want high-level results without ever studying learning theory.

But it doesn’t matter what you think you’re teaching.

The only thing that matters is what the dog actually learns.

Your intentions don’t teach the dog.

Your timing does.

Your consequences do.

Your reinforcement does.

Your clarity does.

If the dog experiences something as rewarding, then it functions as reinforcement.

If the dog experiences something as unpleasant, then it functions as a correction.

Only the dog’s perspective matters.

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5. Don’t Name Behaviours Too Early

One of the most common mistakes is introducing commands before the behaviour actually exists.

Don’t put a cue on behaviour that is still inconsistent.

First create the behaviour.

Shape it.
Lure it.
Capture it.

Whatever method you choose, make sure the behaviour is reliable and looks exactly the way you want it to.

Only then should you introduce the verbal cue.

The same principle applies when building a marker.

Don’t teach your marker word until it consistently creates the emotional state and expectation you want.

After the behaviour is reliable, gradually remove your training aids until the dog truly understands the task.

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6. Remove the Grey Areas

Dogs don’t learn well from unclear criteria.

Unfortunately, many handlers create huge grey areas.

Take heeling as an example.

Sometimes the dog looks under the handler’s arm.
Sometimes at the face.
Sometimes it’s 40 cm ahead.
Sometimes 40 cm behind.

Everything gets rewarded.

Then people wonder why the dog doesn’t know the correct position.

How could it?

If every position gets reinforced, every position becomes “correct.”

The clearer your criteria are, the easier learning becomes for the dog.

The only challenge is that clarity requires consistency.

And that’s exactly where most people struggle.

Either they don’t have a clear picture of the finished behaviour themselves…

…or they tell themselves:

“It’ll get better.”

Usually, it won’t.

If you keep reinforcing unwanted behaviours, you’re training them just as effectively as the ones you actually wanted.

Build clarity.

Build consistency.

Build the foundation first.

Everything else becomes much easier afterwards.

One of the biggest reasons people fail in IGP isn’t their dog.

It’s them.

That may sound harsh, but it’s true.

Most people simply don’t bring the level of discipline, consistency, patience, and self-reflection that high-level IGP requires.

The reality is this:

If you want to become good at something, you have to go through the Valley of the Beginner.

And that valley isn’t fun.

It feels frustrating.
It feels slow.
It feels like you’re getting nowhere.
It feels like everyone else is progressing faster than you.

Because when training is done correctly, you don’t start with flashy exercises.

You start with the basics.

And then you spend far more time on those basics than most people are willing to.

The fundamentals are not exciting.
They’re not what gets likes on social media.
They’re not what makes you feel like a superstar.

But they are what create the foundation for everything impressive that comes later.

Without a solid foundation, the “cool stuff” eventually falls apart.

Here’s something many people don’t want to hear:

Frustration is often a sign that you’re learning.

If you’re never frustrated, you’re probably not challenging yourself enough.

Learning new skills means making mistakes.
It means being uncomfortable.
It means realizing how much you still don’t know.

And that’s completely normal.

The key is how you respond to that frustration.

Especially when working with animals.

Never train from your ego.

Never blame the dog because you’re frustrated.

Your dog didn’t choose IGP.

Your dog didn’t decide to compete.

You did.

When people start blaming the dog for their own lack of knowledge, preparation, timing, consistency, or skill, training stops being fair, it becomes 💩.

Good training requires self-reflection.

Ask yourself:

➡️ Am I being clear?
➡️ Am I being consistent?
➡️ Have I actually taught this skill?
➡️ Does my dog truly understand what I’m asking?
➡️ Am I putting in the work that I’m expecting from my dog?

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Many people expect more discipline from their dog than they demand from themselves.

They expect focus while being inconsistent.
They expect commitment while skipping training.
They expect precision while rushing the process.

It doesn’t work that way.

The real competition isn’t against other handlers.

And it certainly isn’t against your dog.

The real challenge is becoming better than the person you were yesterday.

Every skill you develop.
Every lesson you learn.
Every mistake you analyze.
Every hour you spend improving yourself.

All of that makes you a better handler.

And when you become a better handler, every dog you work with benefits.

Yes, it’s frustrating sometimes.

Yes, it takes time.

Yes, it requires effort and discipline.

But if your goal is to reach a high level, there are no shortcuts.

Go through the Valley of the Beginner.

Build your foundation.

Master the basics.

Stay humble.

Stay self-reflective.

And focus on growing yourself before expecting more from your dog.

That’s where real progress starts.

Follow our club for Part 2 if you want to learn about the Basics I ‘ m talking about.

Training Done 💪🏼❤️

🐾 Who would like to join a trial IGP dog training session? 🐾

We are planning a trial IGP training session for anyone who would like to experience it, give it a try, or simply see whether it could be something enjoyable for them and their dog.

Whether you already have experience or are completely new to it — you’re very welcome.

You can watch, ask questions, and of course take part with your dog.

IGP is so much more than just dog sport — it’s about teamwork, communication, focus, motivation, and learning how to work together as a real team. And that’s what makes it so much fun 😊

All you need is:
🐶 a dog who has no Health issues
🐶 interest in learning together
🐶 and enjoyment in training and building a partnership

If you’d like to join, just comment “IGP” or send me a message.

Looking forward to training together 🐕✨

Visit also our new Homepage www.og-thomond.ie

☀️🐶 Hot weather & dogs – be always aware! 🐶☀️

When temperatures rise, our dogs rely on us to make safe decisions for them. Heat can become dangerous much faster than many people realize.

Here are some important DOs & DON’Ts for hot days:

✅ DO:
💧 Always offer fresh, cool water
🌳 Make sure your dog has access to shade at all times
🧊 Offer cooling options: cooling mats, damp towels, frozen enrichment treats or a paddling pool (if your dog enjoys water)
🚶 Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
🐾 Check the pavement with your hand—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for paws
🏠 Keep indoor spaces cool and well ventilated
😴 Let your dog rest more than usual—hot weather is exhausting

❌ DON’T:
🚫 Never leave your dog in a car—even “just for a minute”
🚫 Don’t walk during the hottest part of the day
🚫 Don’t force exercise or active play in the heat
🚫 Don’t assume your dog will “push through”
🚫 Don’t ignore signs like excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, bright red gums, disorientation or collapse

⚠️ What to do if you suspect heatstroke:

✅ Move your dog into a shaded or cooler area immediately
✅ Offer small amounts of cool water to drink—don’t force it
✅ Start cooling your dog gradually with cool (not ice-cold) water
✅ Wet the paws, legs, belly and chest first
✅ Use damp towels or airflow from a fan to help reduce body temperature
✅ Contact a vet immediately—heatstroke is always urgent

❌ Do NOT:
🚫 Don’t use ice or ice-cold water
🚫 Don’t cover the whole dog in cold wet towels without airflow
🚫 Don’t cool too quickly

Cooling a dog down too fast can be dangerous.
Very cold water can cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict. That traps heat inside the body instead of letting it escape—and it can make things worse.

The goal is steady, gentle cooling while getting veterinary help as quickly as possible.

Dogs cool down very differently than humans.
And for brachycephalic dogs, seniors, puppies, overweight dogs or dogs with health issues, the risk is even higher.

Please take hot days seriously.
A little prevention can save a life. ❤️🐶
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Congratulations to everyone!

What a weekend. Thrilling from start to finish.

So, here’s a little recap from the weekend! On Saturday and Sunday, the Irish IGP Championships took place. It was a wonderful day for the dogs—just a bit too warm, so conditions were a little more challenging. For the spectators, though, it was lovely—although some definitely walked away with a bit of sunburn!

We are proud that our Club Member Billy Hiney got Second place and Best Tracking💪🏼🥳 with his bitch
Altea vom Huttenhugel he achieved:

Tracking A: 99/ 100 Points

Obidience B: 94/100 Points

Protection C: 93/100 Points

TOTAL: 286

GRADE: V

Well done and Congratulations Billy

The results were very cool overall, though unfortunately, from our German Shepherd club, Joe was disqualified, as was Raymond. Such a pitty they did so well till the point. But hey, we’re working with animals, not machines—these things can happen! Now it’s back to work with our dogs—our beloved hobby—and here’s to a new year!

Thanks for the so well organized event OG Corrib and all the helpers, without you we couldn’t keep our beloved sport up.

🐕 Training Plans - The Key Principles

1. Consistency beats intensity

Your dog does not learn best from one or two long sessions per week at the training field.

👉 What really makes the difference is:

* Daily training
* Even if it’s just a few minutes at a time

Short, frequent sessions create:

* Better learning results
* Less frustration
* More motivation

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2. Keep sessions short and effective

Especially in dog sports, training should be focused and intentional.

* 🆕 When teaching something new:
➝ 3–5 minutes per session
* 🔁 When the behavior is more established:
➝ up to 15 minutes max

👉 Stop before your dog loses focus.
👉 Quality always beats quantity.

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3. Break everything down into small steps

Every exercise should be split into tiny, achievable parts.

Instead of training the whole behavior:

* Isolate single components
* Train them separately
* Then gradually combine them

👉 This prevents confusion and builds confidence.

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4. What skills does your dog need?

Before training any task, ask yourself:

Does my dog already have the necessary foundation skills?

Examples:

* Focus and attention
* Ability to follow a marker (e.g. clicker or verbal marker)
* Impulse control
* Body awareness
* Motivation for rewards (food, toy, interaction)

👉 If one of these is missing, training will stall.
👉 Always build the foundation first.

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5. Create the right learning environment

Training success depends heavily on the atmosphere.

Ask yourself:

* Is my dog calm but engaged?
* Is the environment low in distractions (especially for new tasks)?
* Am I clear and consistent in my communication?
* Is my timing precise?

👉 A good learning environment means:

* The dog feels safe
* The dog understands what works
* The dog is motivated to try

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6. If it’s not working – change your approach

If your dog is not progressing, don’t just repeat the same thing over and over.

👉 Make it easier
👉 Break it down further
👉 Adjust your method

The over salted soup doesn’t get better if you just keep adding more salt — change the recipe or maybe start new.

👉 Training is not about pushing through.
👉 It’s about adapting so your dog can succeed.

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💡 Bottom line

Daily, short, well-structured training sessions—combined with a clear plan, the right mindset, and flexibility in your approach—will always outperform occasional long sessions.

If its not working, sorry not sorry, it’s your fault. Think what can I do better, different… not what should the dog do. That is where the focus is correct.

We are claiming to be the Leader, still some people put the responsibility on the dog. 🤡

🐾 Success in IGP is never a solo journey – it’s built by a team. 🐾

When people look at IGP, they often see one dog and one handler on the field.
What they don’t see is everything happening behind the scenes — the people, the structure, the constant exchange, and the teamwork that make real progress possible.

IGP is not an individual sport. It’s a team effort in the truest sense.

Let’s break down what that really means 👇

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🛡️ The Helper – More than just the “bad guy”

A good helper is not just someone catching a dog on the sleeve.

They are:

* A training partner
* A teacher for the dog
* A guide for the handler

A skilled helper reads the dog, adjusts pressure, builds confidence, and develops clarity in the work. Without a good helper, protection training quickly becomes inconsistent or unfair.

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🐕 People holding leashes & managing setups

It sounds simple — but it’s not.

You need people who:

* prepare the exercise for you, so you can concentrate on the dog and yourself
* get your Teammate if something is needed
* Understand whats next, know the exercises

A sloppy setup leads to sloppy work. A clean setup builds clarity and structure.

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⏳ Voraus & Down – You can’t train everything alone

Sending your dog out and putting them into a down at distance requires:

* Someone to put out the toy or Act as if you do for the dog

With a team, you’re improving.

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👀 The outside perspective – Your blind spot is real

No matter how experienced you are — you cannot see everything while handling your dog.

You need people who:

* Watch your body language
* Notice small mistakes
* Give honest, constructive feedback

Progress in IGP depends on awareness. And awareness often comes from others.

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🗣️ Feedback – The foundation of growth

Training without feedback is just repetition, often repetition Full of mistakes.

A good team will:

* Tell you what works
* Tell you what doesn’t
* Help you adjust in the moment

And most importantly — they will be honest, not just nice.

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👣 Tracking – Someone has to lay the track

Tracking is a discipline on its own.

You need:

* People who can lay tracks and can teach you how to be a good handler on the track
* Different styles and challenges to optimize the individual dogs tracking skills
* Someone who understands progression

Without good tracks, you don’t get good tracking dogs.

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🧠 Brainstorming & problem solving

Every dog is different. Every challenge is unique.

That’s why you need:

* Open discussions
* Different perspectives
* People willing to experiment

Sometimes the solution comes from trying something new — and that often happens together.

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🤝 The real value of a team

A strong IGP team means:

* You don’t train in isolation
* You don’t get stuck as easily
* You grow faster — and more sustainably

It’s not just about having people around.
It’s about having the right people — people who care about good work, fair training, and real progress.

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🔥 And here at OG Thomond – we have exactly that.

A team that shows up.
A team that supports each other.
A team that challenges, improves, and grows together.

No ego.
No shortcuts.
Just honest work, strong dogs, and real progress.

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💬 If you’re looking for more than just training…
If you’re looking for a team — you’ll find it here.
Lots of fun included 🤓