Training Your Dog With Hand Signals

Using dog training hand signals in addition to verbal commands when you are obedience training your dog is very useful. If your dog has been trained with the hand signals, he can still do as you command, even when he is not able to hear you. Handlers of hunting dogs or agility dogs can control their dog’s actions in the field simply by using hand signals. By using the appropriate hand signals, the handlers can make their dogs turn left or right, stop, go fast or go slower, etc.

You can teach your dog the hand signals right along with the regular obedience training lessons. You can learn the signals using any good dog training program or at a dog training class. You can even make up your own particular hand signals-just make sure to pick one for each exercise and use it consistently.

Dogs learn the hand signal concept very quickly because they naturally tune in very closely to another dog’s body language as part of the way they communicate with each other. If your dog’s obedience training is just getting started, be sure to include the hand signals as part of the training. Even for a dog that has been obedience trained only with verbal commands, the hand signals will help you over distances, so add them to your training now. Try starting with a few of the more basic obedience commands (such as sit, down, and stay). This way you are following the usual route of obedience training anyway. Teaching these first 3 hand signals to your dog, prepares him for easily learning all the other hand signals.

• To teach the hand signal for sit you should bend your arm upwards at the elbow and raise your hand or closed fist up to the side of your head at the same time you command him to sit. By repeating the hand signal each time you command your dog to sit, he will soon learn to associate the hand signal with the vocal command.
• Lower your outstretched hand from a level shoulder high position down towards the floor to teach the down position. Use this hand signal at the same time that you are giving your pet his down command. The hand signal gets him to follow your hand down to the floor.
• Copy the policeman’s hand sign to stay, and hold your arm straight out, with your palm facing your dog. You need to do this at the same moment you command your dog to stay.

If you aren’t using hand signals in addition to your verbal commands when training your dog, get started now. You will like the feeling of control you get from being able to command your dog to behave even across a distance where he can’t hear you.

Find the best dog obedience training program for you-click here to read my full review of the very best of the on line dog training programs.

Published on October 13, 2009 under Dogs And Family
Tags: dog training hand signals, hand signals for dog training, training dogs with hand signals, using hand signals for dog training

Related Posts

1. Dog Training Basics
2. Powerful Means of Puppy House Training
3. Top 2 Dog Training Orders To Stop Dog Pulling
4. Dog Behavior Proofing – How to
5. Puppy Training – The Right Way
6. Solutions to common housebreaking problems
7. Some Good reasons for Dog Barking
8. Using Dog Training Devices
9. Your Dogs Eyes Tell the Story
10. Proven Tips for Training Your Dog