IGP Coach

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This is not about selling you an overly expensive course. Prodogz Dog Training is Southern Oregon's premier dog training school.

It is about giving you a reliable companion on your IGP (Schutzhund) journey—someone who can review your training, help you solve key problems, answer questions, and give you clear feed back. With over 25 years of experience Jason Lake brings professional dog training to Southern Oregon and the entire Rogue Valley. Our dog training program is based on clear communication and positive reinforcement. Dog training is not about being the "Leader Of The Pack" but instead working with your dog with science-based methodology. Jason Lake's dog training program is based on "Engagement" instead of fear-based techniques. Our goal is to teach owners how to work with their dogs in positive ways in order to reach their goals with consistency in a timely manner that is right for their dogs. Dog training is appropriate for all breeds, all ages, and all behavior issues. This includes puppies, senior dogs, large breeds like pit bulls, German Shepherds and Rottweilers, small breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, and every dog in between.

10/30/2026

🐕 DUMBBELL RETRIEVE TRAINING | LEARNING THROUGH MISTAKES & NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

What happens when we stop trying to prevent every mistake and instead allow the dog to learn from the consequences of its own behavior?

In this video, Chuck is working with his German Shepherd, Harri, on developing a more reliable and confident dumbbell retrieve for IGP/Schutzhund obedience.

One of the key elements of this training session is allowing Harri the opportunity to make mistakes, recognize the consequences of those mistakes, and discover how his own behavior influences the outcome.

Rather than constantly guiding Harri toward the correct response, we're creating opportunities for him to think, problem-solve, and develop a clearer understanding of his responsibilities during the retrieve.

🎯 WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

✅ Learning Through Mistakes: Allowing Harri the opportunity to offer behaviors, make errors, and learn through the consequences of his choices.

✅ Negative Reinforcement (R−): Utilizing the removal of an aversive stimulus following the desired response to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

✅ Clear Communication: Helping Harri understand which behaviors produce the desired outcome rather than constantly physically guiding him.

✅ Developing Independence: Encouraging Harri to become an active participant in the learning process instead of relying on continuous handler assistance.

✅ Building a Reliable Retrieve: Developing consistency, confidence, and understanding throughout the dumbbell retrieve exercise.

🐾 WHY ALLOW THE DOG TO MAKE MISTAKES?

One of the most important elements of effective dog training is recognizing that mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities.

When we constantly prevent errors, we may inadvertently prevent the dog from developing a complete understanding of the behavior.

By allowing the dog to make manageable mistakes and experience clear, consistent consequences, we create opportunities for learning and problem-solving.

Negative reinforcement is frequently misunderstood. In operant conditioning, negative doesn't mean bad, and reinforcement doesn't mean reward. Negative refers to the removal of a stimulus, while reinforcement means the behavior becomes more likely to occur in the future.

The important consideration is how that consequence influences the dog's behavior and whether our training is creating greater understanding rather than confusion or unnecessary conflict.

Our goal is not to make Harri afraid of making mistakes. It's to create clear learning opportunities where he can discover how to perform the behavior correctly and consistently.

Remember, effective dog training isn't simply about getting the right behavior. It's about helping the dog understand why that behavior works.

🏆 IGP & SCHUTZHUND OBEDIENCE TRAINING

At Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club, we focus on developing reliable tracking, obedience, and protection through clear communication, thoughtful training progressions, and an understanding of canine learning theory.

📍 PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING IN MEDFORD, OREGON

Prodogz Dog Training provides professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and surrounding Rogue Valley communities. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, private dog training, and competitive IGP/Schutzhund training.

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING

🐕 Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com
🏆 Virtual IGP & Schutzhund Coaching: https://www.igpcoach.com
🐾 Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🚔 Police Dog Training Resources: https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/29/2026

🐕 FIXING SCOUT'S HEELING | LESS LURING, MORE UNDERSTANDING!

Bob and Scout are continuing to build a more powerful, precise, and enthusiastic heel!

Previously, we used a flirt pole to create arousal and increase Scout's enthusiasm for heeling. Now we're beginning to fade that training aid and reduce his dependence on watching the lure.

Instead, we're tossing the toy to the left to reinforce correct positioning while maintaining the arousal we've already developed.

🎯 OUR TRAINING GOALS:
✅ Fade the flirt pole
✅ Reduce dependence on the lure
✅ Reinforce position through reward placement
✅ Maintain arousal and engagement
✅ Build a more independent and precise heel

The goal isn't less enthusiasm. It's greater understanding without sacrificing drive!

🌐 www.prodogz.com
🌐 www.igpcoach.com
🌐 www.rvschutzhund.com
🌐 www.policedoghelp.com

10/28/2026

🐕 BACK TRANSPORT TRAINING | BALANCING FOCUS, DRIVE & POSITION

How do you teach a dog to remain focused on something it wants without breaking position to get it?

In this video, I'm working with my German Shepherd, Driven, on developing the foundation for a more precise and controlled back transport in IGP/Schutzhund protection training.

We're utilizing a tug toy placed on the ground in front of us to create a clear training objective. The goal is for Driven to maintain visual attention on the tug while moving forward with me, without forging ahead, drifting out of position, or attempting to grab the toy.

🎯 WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

✅ Back Transport Position: Teaching Driven to maintain a consistent position beside me while we move forward.

✅ Focus on the Tug: Allowing Driven to visually target the tug toy without losing awareness of his position.

✅ Impulse Control: Developing the ability to remain composed and maintain the required behavior despite the temptation to move toward the reward.

✅ Position Awareness: Reinforcing proper alignment and movement while maintaining the dog's desire to engage with the toy.

✅ Reward Timing: Using access to the tug as reinforcement for maintaining the correct behavior.

🐾 WHY IS THIS EXERCISE IMPORTANT?

In IGP protection work, the back transport requires a dog to maintain the correct position while remaining attentive to the helper.

One of the challenges is teaching the dog that being intensely focused on something doesn't mean it has permission to abandon its position.

By using a stationary tug toy as a training target, we can isolate and reinforce the mechanics of the back transport without introducing all the excitement and distractions associated with working around a helper.

Driven learns that maintaining position and moving correctly with me are what create opportunities to access the reward.

The goal isn't to eliminate the dog's drive. It's to teach the dog how to express that drive while maintaining clarity, control, and precision.

This is an important distinction in competitive obedience and protection training. We want a dog that is enthusiastic and committed to the work, but also understands the responsibility of maintaining the required behavior.

Great training is about creating a balance between motivation, communication, and control.

🏆 IGP & SCHUTZHUND TRAINING

At Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club, we focus on developing dogs through structured training in tracking, obedience, and protection. Our emphasis is on clear communication, engagement, and building reliable behaviors through thoughtful training progressions.

📍 PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING IN MEDFORD, OREGON

Prodogz Dog Training offers professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and surrounding Rogue Valley communities. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, private dog training, and competitive IGP/Schutzhund training.

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING

🐕 Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com
🏆 Virtual IGP & Schutzhund Coaching: https://www.igpcoach.com
🐾 Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🚔 Police Dog Training Resources: https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/27/2026

🐕 HEELING AROUND OTHER DOGS | BUILDING FOCUS, ENGAGEMENT & PRECISION

Can your dog maintain focus and proper heel position while working around other dogs?

In this video, I'm working with my German Shepherd, Driven, on developing more consistent, focused, and precise heeling while navigating around fellow Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club members and their dogs.

During this exercise, the other handlers maintain their dogs in either a sit or down position while Driven and I heel around them.

🎯 WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

✅ Engagement & Focus: Teaching Driven to remain attentive to me rather than becoming distracted by the other dogs and handlers.

✅ Heeling Precision: Maintaining proper position, alignment, and consistent engagement while navigating around stationary dogs.

✅ Distraction Training: Learning to work confidently in close proximity to other dogs without losing focus or enthusiasm.

✅ Impulse Control: Reinforcing Driven's ability to remain committed to the task despite environmental distractions.

✅ Sit & Down Stays: The stationary dogs are also practicing maintaining their positions while another dog moves around them.

🐾 WHY IS THIS EXERCISE IMPORTANT?

One of the challenges in developing reliable obedience is helping dogs understand that their responsibilities don't change simply because distractions are present.

A dog may perform beautifully when training alone, but adding other dogs, people, movement, and activity can significantly change the picture.

By incorporating controlled distractions into our training, we're building the understanding that engagement and proper heel position remain important regardless of what's happening around us.

This exercise also provides valuable training for the stationary dogs, teaching them to maintain their sit or down positions while another dog works nearby.

Remember, great heeling isn't simply about walking beside the handler. It's about developing communication, engagement, precision, and the ability to work confidently in different environments.

🏆 ROGUE VALLEY SCHUTZHUND CLUB

Our club focuses on developing strong foundations in tracking, obedience, and protection through structured training, clear communication, and an understanding of canine behavior.

📍 PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING IN MEDFORD, OREGON

Prodogz Dog Training provides professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and surrounding Rogue Valley communities. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, private dog training, behavior modification, and competitive IGP/Schutzhund training.

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING

🐕 Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com
🏆 Virtual IGP & Schutzhund Coaching: https://www.igpcoach.com
🐾 Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🚔 Police Dog Training Resources: https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/26/2026

🐕🔥 FIGHT THE PRESSURE! USING OPPOSITIONAL REFLEX TO BUILD A STRONGER HEEL POSITION!

What if we could teach a dog to fight to STAY in heel position instead of simply trying to prevent the dog from leaving it?

In this video, we're working with Harri, a German Shepherd, utilizing oppositional reflex to develop a stronger, more committed heel position.

🐾 HOW DOES IT WORK?

Dogs naturally tend to resist physical pressure. By strategically introducing leash pressure from a second person positioned off to the side, we're using that natural response to teach Harri to actively work against the pressure and maintain his position beside his handler.

✅ The handler maintains engagement and encourages the correct heel position.
✅ A second person applies controlled leash pressure away from the handler.
✅ Harri learns to resist that pressure and fight to remain in heel position.
✅ The goal is to develop greater commitment, confidence, and independence in maintaining position.

🎯 THE TRAINING GOAL

We don't just want a dog that heels because the handler is constantly managing its position. We want a dog that understands the position so clearly that it actively works to maintain it, even when outside forces challenge that behavior.

By combining oppositional reflex with appropriate reinforcement, we're helping Harri develop a more powerful, enthusiastic, and reliable heel.

The pressure is introduced progressively, with Harri's understanding and emotional state guiding the exercise.

💬 TRAINING DISCUSSION: Have you ever incorporated oppositional reflex into your obedience or IGP training? Share your experiences in the comments!

🐾 FOLLOW FOR MORE SCIENCE-BASED DOG TRAINING, OBEDIENCE & IGP TRAINING VIDEOS!

🌐 https://www.prodogz.com
🌐 https://www.igpcoach.com
🌐 https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🌐 https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/26/2026

🐕 SIT, DOWN & STAND IN MOTION | BUILDING PRECISION THROUGH BACKWARD HEELING

How do you teach a dog to perform a fast, accurate sit, down, or stand while moving without losing engagement or creating confusion?

In this video, Chuck is working with Harri on developing the sit, down, and stand in motion exercises used in competitive IGP/Schutzhund obedience.

Rather than immediately practicing these behaviors while moving forward, we're utilizing backward heeling to help capture and reinforce the correct behaviors.

🎯 WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

✅ Backward Heeling: Chuck moves backward while Harri follows facing him, allowing Chuck to observe the dog's movements and reinforce correct responses.

✅ Sit in Motion: Teaching Harri to transition quickly and accurately into a sit without unnecessary forward movement.

✅ Down in Motion: Developing a fast, committed down while maintaining focus and engagement.

✅ Stand in Motion: Capturing a clean, immediate stand without creeping forward or taking unnecessary steps.

✅ Reward Placement & Timing: Using a tug toy and precise reinforcement to encourage fast responses, correct positioning, and continued enthusiasm.

🐾 WHY USE BACKWARD HEELING?

One of the challenges in teaching positions in motion is that the handler cannot always see exactly what the dog is doing when the dog is working beside them.

By working backward and facing the dog, Chuck can observe the entire behavior, identify errors, and reinforce the precise moment Harri performs the correct position.

This setup also allows us to maintain engagement and motivation while breaking the exercise into smaller, more manageable components.

Once Harri understands the mechanics of each behavior, we can progressively transition the exercises into traditional forward heeling.

The goal isn't simply getting the dog to sit, down, or stand. It's developing fast, confident, precise responses while maintaining enthusiasm and engagement throughout the exercise.

Great obedience is built through clear communication, thoughtful training progressions, and reinforcing the behaviors we want to see repeated.

📍 PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING IN MEDFORD, OREGON

Prodogz Dog Training offers professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and communities throughout the Rogue Valley. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, private dog training, behavior modification, and competitive IGP/Schutzhund training.

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING

🐕 Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com
🏆 Virtual IGP & Schutzhund Coaching: https://www.igpcoach.com
🐾 Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🚔 Police Dog Training: https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/25/2026

🐕 ANIMATED HEELING – BUILDING DRIVE, AROUSAL & ENGAGEMENT IN A 4-MONTH-OLD PUPPY!

What does it take to develop powerful, animated heeling in a young working dog? It starts with building the right foundation!

In this video, Chuck is working with his four-month-old German Shepherd puppy on developing animated, energetic heeling through proper hand positioning, pushing behavior, food motivation, and carefully timed leash pops.

🎯 THE GOAL: BUILDING ENTHUSIASM, NOT JUST POSITION!

Rather than focusing solely on precision, we're teaching the puppy to actively engage, push into the reward, and develop the desire to work with the handler.

✅ Proper Hand Position: Correct food and hand placement encourage the puppy to maintain the desired head position, stay engaged, and actively push toward the reward.

✅ Pushing Behavior: By encouraging the puppy to push for food rather than passively follow it, we help develop greater intensity, engagement, and animated movement.

✅ Leash Pops as an Arousal Cue: The light leash pops demonstrated in this exercise are not intended as punishment or corrections. They serve two specific training purposes.

1️⃣ Encouraging Greater Effort: The leash stimulation is paired with the opportunity to push harder for the food, encouraging the puppy to become more active and enthusiastic.

2️⃣ Building a Foundation for Future Training: By developing a positive association between the leash sensation, engagement, and reward opportunities, we're working toward creating a cue that can later help increase the dog's arousal and refocus attention when environmental distractions compete with the handler.

🐾 THE BIGGER PICTURE

Our objective is to develop a dog that doesn't simply perform obedience exercises but actively enjoys participating in them.

By building engagement, motivation, and enthusiasm at an early age, we establish the foundation for the expressive, powerful heeling desired in IGP, Schutzhund, and competitive obedience.

An important distinction: The intent of a leash pop does not automatically determine how the dog experiences it. Careful timing, minimal intensity, and observation of the puppy's response are essential. We want the puppy to become more confident, motivated, and engaged—not stressed or avoidant.

🏆 GOOD HEELING STARTS WITH ENGAGEMENT. GREAT HEELING STARTS WITH DESIRE!

📍 Professional Dog Training – Medford, Oregon

🌐 https://www.prodogz.com
🌐 https://www.igpcoach.com
🌐 https://www.rvschutzhund.com
🌐 https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/22/2026

🐕 TEACHING STRAIGHT & CLOSE FRONTS | GOLDEN RETRIEVER TRAINING

In this video, Barbara is working with Todd, her Golden Retriever, on developing a straight, close, and precise front position.

🎯 Step 1: Teaching a Straight Front

Our first goal is to teach Todd to approach Barbara in a straight line and position himself squarely in front of her. We accomplish this by using guide bars to help establish the correct approach and negative punishment (-P) to reduce incorrect positioning.

By removing the opportunity for reinforcement when Todd comes in crooked and rewarding the correct position, we help him understand exactly where he needs to be.

🎯 Step 2: Teaching a Close Front

Once Todd understands how to come in straight, our next goal is to teach him to come in close.

Barbara sits near the edge of her chair, leans backward, and encourages Todd to follow the reward up her body. This helps teach him to move closer rather than stopping short.

The goal is to develop a straight, tight front position while maintaining enthusiasm, engagement, and a positive attitude toward the exercise.

🐾 Good obedience training is about building understanding through clear communication, proper mechanics, and consistent reinforcement.

Whether you're training for AKC obedience, IGP, Schutzhund, or simply improving your dog's precision, these techniques can help develop more consistent front positions.

📍 Professional Dog Training – Medford, Oregon

🌐 https://www.prodogz.com
🌐 https://www.igpcoach.com
🌐 https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/21/2026

🐕 BUILDING A STRONGER DUMBBELL GRIP | IGP OBEDIENCE TRAINING

How do you teach a dog to confidently grip and hold a dumbbell rather than simply putting it in their mouth?

In this video, Diane is working with Harri on developing a stronger, more committed dumbbell grip using a technique that involves a second person and a line attached to the dumbbell.

The second person controls the line, creating movement and an opportunity for Harri to actively grip the dumbbell. Rather than simply placing the dumbbell in the dog's mouth, we're looking to capture and reinforce the dog's decision to bite, grip, and maintain possession of the dumbbell.

🎯 WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:

✅ Creating an Active Grip: Encouraging Harri to actively take the dumbbell rather than passively accepting it.

✅ Using a Second Person: A training partner manages a line attached to the dumbbell, allowing controlled movement that helps encourage gripping behavior.

✅ Capturing the Desired Behavior: Marking and rewarding the moment Harri commits to gripping the dumbbell.

✅ Building Grip Confidence: Reinforcing a secure, consistent hold while minimizing unnecessary conflict or confusion.

✅ Developing a Reliable Retrieve: Establishing the foundation for a confident dumbbell pickup, hold, carry, and eventual delivery.

🐾 WHY THIS TECHNIQUE?

One of the challenges in teaching a reliable dumbbell hold is helping the dog understand that we want an active, committed grip rather than a loose or passive hold.

By introducing controlled movement through a line attached to the dumbbell, we can create opportunities for the dog to offer the gripping behavior naturally. Once that behavior occurs, we can capture it through precise timing and reinforcement.

The key is understanding when to create movement, when to release tension, and when to reward. The goal is to encourage commitment to the dumbbell without turning the exercise into a tug-of-war or creating unnecessary pressure.

Remember, a reliable retrieve starts with a dog that understands how to confidently take and maintain possession of the dumbbell.

Whether you're training for IGP, Schutzhund, competitive obedience, or simply looking to improve your dog's retrieve, building a solid foundation makes all the difference.

📍 PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING IN MEDFORD, OREGON

Prodogz Dog Training provides professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and surrounding Rogue Valley communities. With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, and competitive working dog training.

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRAINING:

🐕 Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com

🏆 Online IGP & Schutzhund Coaching: https://www.igpcoach.com

🐾 Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com

🚔 Police Dog Training: https://www.policedoghelp.com

10/20/2026

In this video, Chuck is working with Harri on creating a more active, powerful, and engaging heel position.

The process starts by allowing Harri to be passive first, then bringing him into active barking. Once that energy and expression come up, Chuck uses the active barking as a tool to build more intensity, engagement, and power in the heel.

The goal is not just movement, but a heel that has more animation, attitude, and commitment from the dog. By channeling that active state correctly, we can create a dog that is more present, more driven, and more expressive in the work.

This is a great example of how barking can be used strategically in training to increase engagement and improve the overall picture in obedience.

What we’re working on:
- Developing a more active heel
- Bringing the dog from passive into active barking
- Using barking to create more engagement
- Building power, animation, and intensity in heeling
- Improving the overall attitude in obedience work

Prodogz Dog Training provides professional dog training in Medford, Oregon, serving dog owners throughout the Rogue Valley, including Central Point, Jacksonville, Ashland, and surrounding communities. With over 30 years of dog training experience, Prodogz specializes in puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, and IGP/Schutzhund training. Whether you're training a family companion or a competitive working dog, our goal is to build stronger relationships through effective, science-based training techniques.

Links:
Prodogz Dog Training: https://www.prodogz.com
IGP Coach: https://www.igpcoach.com
Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club: https://www.rvschutzhund.com
Police Dog Help: https://www.policedoghelp.com

Address

201 E. Barnett Road
Medford, OR
97501

Website

https://www.igpcoach.com/, https://www.prodogz.com/, https://www.rvschutzhund.com/

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