Simple Commands: Training Your Dog with Hand Signals

Training your dog with hand signals in addition to verbal commands is essential in assuring that your dog will be obedient in any situation. Often times your dog may be able to see you but not hear you. By training your dog with hand signals you will have his attention from a distance, if you remain within his sight.

Below you find some tips and techniques to assist in training your dog with hand signals, as well as some actual commands and the hand signals that go along with them.

Teaching your dog obedience is no small feat. But with a little hard work and a much persistence, training your dog with hand signals along with voice commands will pay off in the long run.

Following a good training regimen clarify how to use various hand signals that are standard when training your dog with hand signals at home. You can, however, create your own hand signals for different commands. When developing your own hand signals, it is imperative that you remain consistent with the hand signals you are using for a particular command. This will help to avoid confusion and keep your dog on track during the time that you are training your dog with hand signals.

Starting with some basic commands will help to start the process of training your dog with hand signals and allow you to move onto some more advance hand signals. Here are some standard commands used and how to teach them to your dog.

Sit: With your dog standing in front of you, start with your hand down at your side. Slowly bring your hand up, folding your arm and bringing your hand up towards the side of your head, concurrently saying the word "sit." Always use the hand signal with your voice command to reiterate to your dog that the two commands go together. Training your dog with hand signals to sit is the first step in successfully being able to keep your dog under control without using your voice.

Down: Extend your arm towards your dog, with palm facing downward, lower your hand. Simultaneously give the "down" voice command. Ideally, he will follow your hand into the down position. Training your dog with hand signals into the down position will eventually show him that when you lower your hand in this manner he is to lie down.

Stay: When training your down with hand signals to stay, begin this command by getting your dog into the sitting or down position. Extend your arm towards your dog with your palm facing him. Give him the "stay" command and use this hand signal. Like the other commands, your dog will begin to learn the hand and voice commands, and after some repetition, he will stay when you show him this hand signal.

While training your dog with hand signals can be a lot of work and very time consuming, you will quickly notice the benefits in your dog's behavior and obedience.

Consistency and persistence are key when training your dog with hand signals. Before you know it, your dog will follow your hand signal commands and be well on his way to being the best canine on the block.