#DOG OBEDIENCE HAND SIGNALS HOW TO#

It’s a great exercise to mentally challenge and prepare your dog for all types of environments and situations with strong and reliable communication skills! Once these are mastered, expand your dog’s repertoire to other commands incorporating the visual with the spoken word. Which hand signals should you teach your dog?įirst start by reinforcing your dog’s basic commands with hand signals including come, sit, stay and down. Always watch your dog and go with the flow!

That gesture just resonated with them for a faster response. She began training them with one gesture, but then realized they responded faster when she put a hand or both hands on her hips.

What matters is you and your dog working together as a team, not which hand gesture or word you use.Ī friend of mine always requires her dogs to sit for a treat. Different trainers may use different hand signals but use what is easier for you to regularly remember and use.Īlways tune in to your dog and watch what he reacts to and naturally build on his responses. Whichever cue you teach first, consistently use the same verbal cues and hand signals to avoid confusing your dog about what you are asking him to do. Always use lots of positive reinforcement too! Eventually, your dog will understand that the hand signal means the same as the verbal command. The AKC says, “ it is best to train using the hand signal first, even if you have already taught a verbal cue.” Offer the hand signal followed by the verbal cue your dog already knows. K9s are natural experts at reading body language, so including hand signals with verbal cues can help you and your dog form a stronger bond of communication. Which Comes First: The Hand Signal or Verbal Cue? (From a study done by a team of Italian Researchers and the University of Naples.) This supports the evidence that body language plays a major role,īeing the most important communication channel for dogs.” To visual and verbal commands, gestural cues are dominant “In conclusion … when dogs are equally accustomed to responding A combination of a verbal command and a hand signal produces the most reliable performance. Many experts believe that hand signals are even more effective since dogs are visually oriented and are masters at reading body language. So, hand signals can still allow you to effectively communicate with your dog and keep his focus under your control. While most of us rely on verbal cues or commands, there are times when the environment is too noisy or chaotic or you are just too far away for verbal commands to be effective (for example, at obedience competitions).

It is important to be able to communicate clearly with your dog no matter the situation. Getting and keeping your dog’s attention is a critical piece of your dog’s training and daily life. Getting (and Keeping) Your Dog’s Attention

#DOG OBEDIENCE HAND SIGNALS HOW TO#

Have a deaf dog? Learn how to work with a deaf dog Keep reading to learn why you should teach your dog hand signals. Think they are only for dogs with limited to no hearing?

Dog obedience hand signals