If you’re training for IGP (Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung), Schutzhund, or other bite sports, you already know—it’s more than just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. And like any serious discipline, your results depend heavily on your tools.
At Bo’s, we’ve been in your shoes—building drive, struggling with sleeve presentation, fumbling with tugs mid-session. That’s exactly why we started crafting our own gear. Because we needed equipment that worked under real pressure—gear that didn’t just survive the session, but helped our dogs thrive.
But if you’re new to the sport, or refining your gear setup, the question always comes up:
What do I actually need to train my dog for IGP or Schutzhund the right way? Let’s break it down.
What Is IGP (And Why the Right Gear Matters)?
IGP is a dog sport that tests three core areas: obedience, tracking, and protection. It demands precision, drive, clarity, and control—and your gear needs to support all of those.
The best IGP dog training gear does three things:
- Keeps your dog safe and motivated
- Protects you during training
- Helps create consistent, reward-based communication
Not all tugs created are equal. Not all bite pillows are balanced. And not all gear is built by people who’ve been on the field. That’s the difference Bo’s aims to deliver.
Foundation First: Gear That Builds the Bite
If you’re training a young dog or starting out in the sport, it all begins with bite development.
You’re looking for tools that:
- Encourage a full, deep grip
- Are soft enough for a young mouth, but durable enough to last
- Offer safe handle positions for clean presentations
For this stage, soft Nylcot tugs, bite wedges, and suede balls are your best friends. They’re lightweight, easy to reward with, and forgiving for young mouths—while still building drive and confidence.
More importantly: these aren’t toys. They’re training tools. You’re not just playing—you’re shaping the kind of bite that scores high in IGP protection routines.
Intermediate Phase: Drive, Control, and Motivation
As your dog progresses in their training, your gear should evolve too.
You’re now balancing prey, aggression, defense, control and motivation. Your gear has to do two jobs: reinforce behavior and channel energy.
This is where serious IGP dog training gear shines:
- Bite pillows with side handles allow you to target the grip area better
- Tug toys with built-in pop (like leather popper tugs) keep motivation sky-high
- Reward balls with grip-line handles make obedience sessions more fun—and more accurate
The difference between average and excellent in this phase? Precision. The right tug at the right time, presented clearly, can take your dog’s understanding from good to trial-ready.
Protection Work: Tools That Hold Up
When your dog is working full grips in protection, gear failure isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous.
This is where craftsmanship truly matters.
Durable bite wedges with reinforced stitching, structured design, and well-placed handles are essential. Poor construction can lead to gear that folds, slips, or causes injury—all of which undermine your training.
At Bo’s, we build bite gear that’s been tested by real IGP competitors, helpers, and sport judges. Because it has to hold up—for both the dog and the handler.
Handler Gear: Stay Prepared in Real-Time
It’s not just your dog that needs good gear.
As the handler, you need to:
- Deliver tugs fast
- Keep rewards hidden when needed
- Avoid fumbling during obedience or secondary protection
That’s where handler vests, belt pouches, and specialized pockets come in. Designed with input from real competitors, they allow for clean delivery, silent storage, and seamless reward timing.
And let’s be honest—when your dog is performing at 100%, the last thing you need is to be digging around for a soggy ball or tangled leash.
Puppies in Bite Sports: Starting the Right Way
One of the most common questions we get is:
What dog training gear should I use for my puppy if I want to train for IGP later?
Great question—because the wrong gear early on can cause confusion or even injury.
For puppies, choose:
- Small, soft fleece-lined tugs
- Crinkly or squeaky toys (to build interest and prey drive)
- Short Nylcot rewards with easy-to-bite surfaces
You’re not trying to build a strong grip yet—you’re trying to build desire, engagement, and confidence. That’s what creates the working dog mindset long-term.
It’s Not Just About Gear — It’s About Trust
Great dog training gear isn’t just a product—it’s a promise.
At Bo’s, we promise that everything we make is:
- Hand-crafted with real working dogs in mind
- Tested by competitors in IGP, Schutzhund, and American sports
- Built with top-quality materials from Europe (Nylcot, leather, grip line, heavy stitching)
We design tools because we train dogs. And we build equipment we actually use—every week, in the field, with our own hands.
Final Word: Build Your Kit with Purpose
Effective bite sport training isn’t about having a single favorite toy — it’s about having the right tools for the moment. Just like every exercise has its purpose, every piece of gear serves a unique role.
Some days call for soft rewards and calm play. Other sessions demand high drive, fast delivery, or strong grip-building. The most successful handlers learn to mix and match equipment intentionally — choosing tugs, wedges, or toys that fit the goal of that day’s work.
The more variety you offer, the clearer your communication becomes — and the more engaged your dog stays.
Not sure what to start with?
We’re happy to help. Let us know your training goals, your dog’s temperament, and where you are in the sport — and we’ll recommend the right gear to support your journey.
