You can use different hands for different signals. You want him to be calm but not tired.Īnd always use the same hand for the same hand signal. So that your pup will be able to focus on what you’re training, make sure that he’s been exercised so that the edge is off. You don’t want to do more than a few of the hand signals in any training session. And do only a few repetitions of each exercise.Īlways end on a positive note. Train in short sessions of five to 15 minutes, depending on your dog’s focus. Once your dog learns what the hand signal means, you can add some distractions. So start inside without any noise or visual distractions. And they work well because the cue they give helps show the dog what to do.Īlways start your training without distractions. There are some standard ones that have been developed. It’s the foundation of everything else that we teach our dogs.Īs long as you’re consistent with your hand signal, anyone that the dog can easily see will work. The first obedience command all dogs should learn is to pay attention. If your dog already knows a voice command well, you can pair it with the hand signal. Then, after your dog knows both, you can do either separately or together.
If he’s confused, do both the verbal and visual cues together again for a session or two before transitioning to just the hand signal. Then do a few repetitions with just the hand signal to see if he really understands the signal. Praise and treat after each repetition that your dog’s correct. If your dog already knows the verbal cue for the command, then you can pair that with the visual cue when teaching your dog the hand signal.Īssuming your dog knows the verbal cue, use that and the hand signal for the first few repetitions.
Of course, when you’re first teaching the hand signals, teach verbal cues separately so that your dog doesn’t become confused. For a reward, you want to have small, pea-sized treats that your dog values ready. PRO-TRAINER TIP: When training, always mark the behavior you desire with a “yes!” or a click, followed immediately by a treat. You never know when either will come in handy. It’s best if dogs know both verbal cues and hand signals. Tips For Teaching Dog Training Hand Signals So it’s really worth the time and effort to teach visual cues to our dogs. An Italian Study found that dogs responded to hand signals with 99 percent accuracy, whereas they responded to verbal commands with only 82 percent accuracy. Even when conflicting verbal and visual signals were given, dogs properly responded to the visual cue 70 percent of the time. The study was conducted on 10 goldens and 15 Labs–highly trainable dogs. And if we’re consistent in our visual cues, they’ll learn them. It’s natural for dogs to read our body language.Also, if you intend to compete in advanced obedience competitions, your dog will need to learn hand signals.All positive training also improves the bond between you and your dog.Having your dog focus on hand signals can also sharpen his mind.She came to me after I cued her with a hand signal to come. One of my shelties, Amber, became deaf when she was about 13 years old. It really helped that she knew hand signals. I could even trust her when she was off-leash because she responded to my hand signal to come. And when I called her in from pottying at night I didn’t wake the neighbors. So hand signals are necessary to communicate with them. It’s also beneficial in noisy environments in which he may not be able to hear a verbal cue.Teaching hand signals to your dog can increase his overall focus on you.Here are some of the reasons why you should teach your dog hand signals: Reasons To Teach Hand Signals to Your Dog But they do understand sounds, which is how they learn verbal cues. And doing so can significantly improve your dog’s life.ĭogs don’t really understand the words we use. There are many reasons for teaching hand signals to your dog in addition to voice commands.