#Dog training hand signals pdf how to
#Dog training hand signals pdf full

Sandi flexes her fingers toward her palm for “Wave!” Trainer Sandi Thompson has taught Tater Tot, her 10-year-old “Rat-weiler,” about 30 different tricks, each with a visual cue. The twitch of an ear, the shift of an eye, a slight turn of the head – these are just a few canine expressions that are rich with meaning to other dogs.

It’s easier because dogs are primarily body language communicators, and they have a large body vocabulary. My students are generally delighted when they discover how much easier it is to get their dogs to respond to distinct body language cues for specific behaviors – much easier than it is to teach verbal cues. I teach hand signals in my Level 2 class. At some time in his life he may become visually impaired, no longer able to see and respond to your body language. There are times when your dog cannot see you he may be behind you, in another room, or behind a tree and about to cross a road.

#Dog training hand signals pdf full

There are times when your hands are full – of groceries, school books, laundry baskets, the baby. After all, there are numerous situations where you have only your voice to communicate with your dog.

Getting the dogs to do the behaviors without the prompts, on just a verbal cue, is more challenging, but it’s of the utmost importance. Getting the dogs to perform various behaviors by using a combination of verbal cues, body language, and lures is easy. If he sits when you do these things, then he really does understand the verbal cue, “Sit!”Īn important goal of my Level 1 training classes is to teach people to use verbal cues with their dogs. Say “Sit!” to your dog when you have your back to him and are looking up at the ceiling or with your arms crossed over your chest, or when you are hopping on one foot.

#Dog training hand signals pdf how to

Dogs really love being able to understand what their owners are saying to them and will often get excited when they figure out how to communicate with them in ways other than barking or licking.You can test my theory. But hand signals can do more than show your dog what you want them to do-they also make training more fun, especially if you have a positive attitude about it. You’re probably thinking that most dogs don’t understand the point of hand signals. This can also help reinforce good behavior more effectively than a verbal cue alone might do because there is less chance of confusing them with conflicting commands from different family members sharing responsibility in training efforts at home. Use hand signals to reduce stress for dogs who are sensitive to touch or who may not like being patted on the head for praise (like kids on Santa’s lap). Once you feel confident in using the gesture, bring in your pup and show them what it means by cueing them with a verbal command (sit) or some other rewardable behavior (ex: raising an open palm over their head). Practice using the hand signal without your dog around first so that they can’t read any cues from your facial expressions or body language. Think of it as a language-consistency is key! Your dog will only be confused if they think they have learned one word but are suddenly being asked to learn another. If you start out by signaling for sit with your left palm facing down, don’t switch it up and expect your dog to understand when you use your right palm facing up. Make sure to use the same hand gesture every time you want your dog to do a specific trick. There are many different hand signals that you can use, but we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the most common ones aboveīefore you dive into hand signals, there’s one more thing you should know: Hand signals are an important part of dog training and can help speed up the process of teaching new behaviors.

Dogs that are trained will be more responsive to your commands and less likely to get into trouble because they know how to behave. Not only does it make your dog happier, but it also makes your bond stronger. Dog training is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your canine companion.