Number 2<\/strong>: If your dog goes deaf<\/a> he can still respond to your hand signals (and vice versa for verbal commands if your dog goes blind).<\/p>\n\n\n\n More reasons why you should teach your dog hand signals are below.<\/p>\n\n\n There are many reasons for teaching hand signals to your dog in addition to voice commands. And doing so can significantly improve your dog\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs don\u2019t really understand the words we use<\/a>. But they do understand sounds, which is how they learn verbal cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the reasons why you should teach your dog hand signals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s really worth the time and effort to teach visual cues to our dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s best if dogs know both verbal cues<\/a> and hand signals. You never know when either will come in handy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO-TRAINER TIP: <\/em><\/strong>When training, always mark the behavior you desire with a \u201cyes!\u201d or a click, followed immediately by a treat. Have your reward treat ready. For a reward, you want to have small, pea-sized treats that your dog values ready. We recommend Crazy Dog Train Me Treats<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, when you\u2019re first teaching the hand signals, teach verbal cues separately so that your dog doesn\u2019t become confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog already knows the verbal cue<\/em> for the command, then you can pair that with the visual cue when teaching your dog the hand signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assuming your dog knows the verbal cue, use that and the hand signal for the first few repetitions. Praise and treat after each repetition that your dog\u2019s correct. Then do a few repetitions with just the hand signal to see if he really understands the signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If he\u2019s confused, do both the verbal and visual cues together again for a session or two before transitioning to just the hand signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, after your dog knows both, you can do either separately or together. If your dog already knows a voice command well, you can pair it with the hand signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first obedience command all dogs should learn is to pay attention. It\u2019s the foundation of everything else that we teach our dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as you\u2019re consistent with your hand signal, anyone that the dog can easily see will work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some standard ones that have been developed. And they work well because the cue they give helps show the dog what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always start your training without distractions. So start inside without any noise or visual distractions. Once your dog learns what the hand signal means, you can add some distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Train in short sessions of five to 15 minutes, depending on your dog\u2019s focus. And do only a few repetitions of each exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always end on a positive note. You don\u2019t want to do more than a few of the hand signals in any training session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So that your pup will be able to focus on what you\u2019re training, make sure that he\u2019s been exercised so that the edge is off. You want him to be calm but not tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And always use the same hand<\/em> for the same hand signal<\/em>. You can use different hands for different signals. Just be consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I teach a dog the verbal cue, I use the word \u201clook.\u201d Many people use \u201cwatch me.\u201d In training, consistency is what\u2019s important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a hand signal, you can point with one finger to your eyes. Usually, people use the index finger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have your hand and finger point from the side of your face, not in front, so that your dog can see what you\u2019re doing even from a distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always use the same hand for this cue to be consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right after your dog looks at you, mark the behavior and give the treat, so that he knows he did what you wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To start to teach it, you can even have the reward treat in the hand you point with, giving your pup the treat after you praise him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sit is usually one of the first commands<\/a> we teach our dogs. It\u2019s very useful and teaches impulse control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have your hand, palm up, in front of your dog\u2019s nose. Start with a treat in your hand. Slowly move your hand upwards toward your dog\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This signal works well because we\u2019re luring the dog into a sitting position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To teach your dog a signal, you can hold your index finger out in front of your chest horizontally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To start, have a treat in your closed fist. You can flick your hand in a downward motion, with your finger pointing to the floor to help show your dog what you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even move your elbow and swing your pointed finger towards the floor as your signal. This helps lure the dog down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stay command can save your dog\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He won\u2019t rush out the front door or into the street if he listens. It can literally be a life-saver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raise your hand and hold your palm out facing away from you. Then hold the signal about or slightly above waist-high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a smaller dog, hold it in the lower position and just above the waist for a taller dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the most important commands you can teach your dog. It\u2019s another command that can save his life and prevent him from getting lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I teach it with a motion that the dog can see at a distance–if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With your dog a few feet away, make a horizontal huge sweeping wave next to your body (palm out), with your arm swinging in an exaggerated large horizontal wave motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your palm should then come to rest gently on your chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heeling means a dog walking with his shoulder area next to your left leg. It\u2019s required if you show your dog in competitions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But you can teach your dog to walk on your right side instead if you choose. Just be consistent<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can either tap your hip or make a circular motion in that area to help call your dog there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can start with a treat in your hand to lure him into position. Then mark the behavior and give the treat when he goes into position next to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another command that can save your dog\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Suppose that he picks something up that he shouldn\u2019t have. You need to get it away from him ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you chase him, he just makes it a game. And, with four legs to our two, he\u2019ll probably win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So teach him to drop it. The command also comes in handy when playing fetch with your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To train it, if your dog is holding a toy in his mouth, show him your closed fist right in front of him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then open your fist. When he drops his toy, praise and reward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help him learn the command, at first, you can have a treat in your closed fist to exchange for the toy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-hand-signals-700x525.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nReasons To Teach Hand Signals to Your Dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Tips For Teaching Dog Training Hand Signals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11 Common Hand Signals <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Attention Command <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Sit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Stay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Come<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Heel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. <\/strong> Drop It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Place Command<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"11](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-training-hand-signals-700x1050.jpg\")
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