DOB: August 14, 2006 - March, 16 2021 Accomplishments: CGC, BH, IDH 2, APr 1 Health tests: None - Neutered
I owned Ico from birth, and while I did some trick training with him he was not raised with IGP in mind. In October 2010, when Ico was 4 years old, I learned about IPO/IGP dog sport and realized I would have to rethink everything I though I knew about dog training if Ico and I were to be successful.
Ico had high prey drive and high willingness to please so obedience went well. In protection Ico was quick to bite but was never a very hard gripping dog. It is natural for an Australian Cattle dog to bite and release; they must be taught to hold onto an object. Ico was not exposed to tracking until he was over 4 years old and I was a novice at training this phase. For that reason I worked toward an APr1/GPr1 title, which is an IGP 1 without tracking. Our progress in IGP was slow and hard earned, but well worth it.
Ico was retired from IGP training in March 2013 after earning his APr 1. He retired to a pet home where he enjoyed chasing a Frisbee and sitting in front of the heater when it was cold.