Pick Up the Dog 🐕

🐾 Returning to the dog in IGP 2

In IGP 2, you return to the dog after the Stand.

That means:

➡️ Walk approximately 15 steps away
➡️ Return to the dog
➡️ Stand next to him
➡️ Wait briefly
➡️ Then ask for the Sit

I would also practice this part separately, even though your dog should already know a very similar picture from the previous training.

🔄 The return should already feel familiar

During the build-up, we already practiced walking away and returning to the dog.

So theoretically, standing next to the dog again should not be a completely new situation.

But if your dog struggles to remain standing when you approach, you can bring back one familiar aid.

✊ Use the closed fist if needed

Just before you reach the dog:

➡️ Bring the closed fist in front of the dog’s nose
➡️ Let the dog focus on the familiar hand position
➡️ Move into position next to the dog
➡️ Wait briefly
➡️ Reward

The closed fist is already well known from the earlier stay training and can help the dog remain secure in the Stand while you return.

🪑 Practice Sit from Stand separately

I also recommend teaching the transition from Stand to Sit somewhere else.

For example, in the garden:

➡️ Dog stands
➡️ You move beside the dog
➡️ Ask for Sit
➡️ Back to Stand
➡️ Back to Sit

This way, the dog understands the movement without constantly connecting it to the complete Stand exercise.

⚠️ Do not practice the full sequence too often

Just like with the recall, dogs quickly learn what comes next.

If you repeatedly return and always ask for Sit, the dog may start anticipating and sit down before the cue.

💡 Practice the individual pieces separately and only combine them occasionally, so the dog stays secure in the Stand until you actually give the Sit cue.