
Start with your dog standing in front of you. When we only communicate verbally, it encourages our dogs to look at everything other than us, since they can just listen to what we are saying and don’t have to watch us. Here are easy four hand signals for dogs that you can teach your pup today: 1. Encourages your dog to watch you more: Since your dog will learn that you also communicate non-verbally, he will begin to watch you more for clues about what you want from him.Ability to communicate with your dog “silently”: This is very helpful if the baby just fell asleep! Also, if you are talking on the phone and need to get your dog to do something.Increased reliability: Because hand signals are easier for dogs to understand (since it is their natural language), they will more reliably respond to hand signals over a verbal command.

There are lots of benefits to using hand signals with dogs:

#Hand signals for dogs how to
Some of the hand signals I use with my dogs are: How to Teach Your Dog Hand Signals:Training Tips Tuesday SIT HAND SIGNAL. As you lower the treat, your hand will naturally form a signal for down. If you’re in a noisy environment with lots of distractions, a clear hand signal is a better way to communicate than shouting your command and trying to be heard. The first, and most obvious, is in situations when your dog can’t hear you properly. Be careful not to move your hand forward, otherwise the dog might stand. There are a few reasons why hand signals are important. With the dog sitting, place a treat in front of his nose, and then lower it to the floor. © D for Dog This article belongs strictly to D for Dog and we do not authorise the copying of all or any part of it.I’ve given three examples of hand signals in the infographic, but you could put anything you have on a verbal cue onto a hand signal. It’s best taught after the dog is responding properly to the signal for sit. Back, Wave hand from direction of dogs head in the direction you wish him to go, hold position pointing. Put them on the fridge door or somewhere easy to view and stick to those signs. Make a note of the signs you intend to use and maybe draw or photograph them. If this is something you want to try with your dog, get the dog treats ready and check out. You’ll start with your hand up by your shoulder and flick your wrist so that your hand lowers to the ground. LAY DOWN Lay down is basically the opposite of sit, both in the behavior and the hand signal. Some dogs respond better to verbal cues than others, but most dogs can be trained to respond to hand gestures alone over time. Dog hand signals are a great tool to use with deaf dogs as well as in obedience competition where verbal commands might not be heard or are not allowed. For sit, hold your hand out in front of you with your palm facing up, and raise your hand in an upward motion towards your shoulder. The main thing to bear in mind is that whatever signs you choose you must be consistent. Dog training with hand signals is a fun an effective way to get your dog to respond to basic commands, like sit, stay, or come.

While on a walk, if your dog gets out of position you can use this body language to get your dog back in the right position again.

When your dog goes to that side to investigate you will mark and treat. You can add to them and adapt them in whatever way you like. The hand signal for the heel tells the dog where his starting position is. They are simply ones made up to use with my deaf dog Berkeley.įor more information about living with and training a deaf dog, please see Deaf Dogs. 16 Comments Tuesday, 10 January 2012 | D for Dog
