Dog Training Hand Signals

Dog training hand signals can be a very effective way to teach your dog some basic commands such as sit, down, stay and come. Hand signals can be used in conjunction with a verbal command to help compliment and emphasize the training. It will help to keep your dog more alert and focused on what you are trying to teach him.

There are several advantages to using dog training hand signals. Dogs are very perceptive to body language as that is the way they communicate with each other. In many ways, it may be easier for your dog to learn hand signals than verbal commands.

Another advantage is if your dog is out of hearing distance he may still be able to pick up the hand signal. Also, when a dog gets over excited he may not listen very well, but is more likely to respond to what he can see in front of him. Finally, if a dog knows he needs to needs to watch you for a command he will be more focused and it will be easier for you to train him.

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Dog training with hand signals can be combined with verbal commands. Your dog will eventually associate the hand signal as well as the verbal command with the action you wish your dog to perform. Repetition and consistency is key in training your dog to respond to a command, whether is be a hand signal, verbal command or both. When your dog performs the desired activity, reward him with a treat or praise to positively reinforce his performance.

Common Dog Training Hand Signals

There are a few common dog training hand signals that you can start your dog out with. First you can teach your dog to sit. Start out with getting your dog’s attention. Point at your dog and say “sit.” Slowly push his rear end into the sitting position. Continue to do this until he is able to respond to your verbal command. Reward him with a treat when he sits for you. The dog training hand signal for sit is to hold your arm straight down and then raise your forearm up with your palm up above your dog’s head. Combine this with the “sit” command until your dog associates both the hand signal and verbal signal with the command to sit.

Another common command to teach your dog is “down.” Once again you will repeat the verbal command with the hand signal to reinforce the training. The hand signal for “down” is to lower your arm from a horizontal position down towards the ground with your palm pointing down. Your dog should lower to the ground with his head up and front paws extended in front of him. Again, reward him with a treat when he responds to either your verbal command, hand signal or both.

For the “stay” or “wait” command, the signal is to hold up your open palm in front of you at shoulder’s height. This is also known as the policeman stop signal.

The dog training signal for “come” is hold your arms outstretched in a horizontal position and then pull them in forward to your stomach.

If you take the time to teach your dog these basic commands, combining the verbal commands with the dog training hand signals, you will be well on your way to having a well trained dog. Reinforcing your verbal commands with hand signals is a very effective way to keep your dog focused on what you are trying to teach him as well as maintaining consistency in both your training as well as your commands.

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