An introductory
It's environmental. It's physical. It's mental.
Schutzhund Club of San Antonio is an ALL breed club dedicated to training and titling in the sport of IGP (IPO/Schutzhund). Our members are experienced and talented handlers with a combined 40+ years of dog training in various venues including AKC, Mondio, and many more.
While training and titling is the club’s main goal, we are a laid back group of friends and enjoy spending time with each other on and off the field.
We are members of The United Schutzhund Clubs of America and DVG America and we are part of the South Central Region. Our sport, Schutzhund (SchH), International Utility Dog (IPO or IGP) is used to ensure our working breeds maintain the integrity of their heritage.


Three Phases
IGP tests three specific areas of a dog's training and behavior. The first, tracking, requires the dog to track footsteps over mixed terrain, change direction and show absolute accuracy and commitment to finding the track as well as articles.
The second phase is obedience. There is heeling, both on and off lead. The sit, down and stand are also done when the dog is moving. Some exercises require the dog to work under the noise of a firing gun. In addition to the normal dumbbell retrieval, the dog must retrieve over a one meter jump and a six foot "A"-Frame. Down stays and a long send away conclude the test.
The final test is the most misunderstood by the general public. This is protection. The most important point to understand when watching a protection routine, is the relationship between dog and handler. Then it must engage fully and without hesitation while also switching from engaging the helper to being neutral at various times throughout the routine.