Teaching Your Dog Hand Signals
Dogs are very astute and aware of even the slightest changes in your body’s movement. This power of observation makes teaching hand signal commands an easy thing to do. Hand signals can be taught either at the same time or after teaching verbal commands. Either way works equally well. Hand signal training does not require a trainer, but there are many professionals who are very good at helping owners master this technique.
Basic hand signals are fairly universal, but you can choose whatever signals you want to use with your dog. One important aspect is to ensure that the signals you use are not something that you do either consciously or unconsciously in other situations, such as normal conversation. This will only confuse the dog. A perfect example of this is clapping your hands to call the dog. Be prepared to have your dog come to you every time you clap your hands for whatever reason. And always be prepared to reward the behavior, even if you weren’t calling the dog, but applauding because your son blew out all the birthday candles. Pushing away or scolding for obeying the command will undo all the hard work invested by both you and the dog.
Cueing your dog to watch for hand commands in the first place should be taught first. Either say the dog’s name or teach a specific motion to indicate you intend to give a hand signal. This motion needs to be taught in the same way as any other hand signal or command.
Some of the universal or basic hand commands include stop, the same one the police officer directing traffic uses. Simply hold the palm out and the hand upright. Putting your hand in a downward position directly in front of the dog’s nose is the signal to stay. The sit command is a downward push with the hand starting from the waist or chest, palm down.
The easiest way to start is by pairing the hand motion with the verbal command, especially if the dog is already familiar with verbal commands. At first, exaggerate the movement to make sure the dog sees it as you speak the command. As the dog begins to associate the verbal and the hand signal, gradually lower your voice as you make the sign until the dog doesn’t need the voice. Give lots of praise and rewards. Once the dog has the hang of it keep practicing until your dog fully understands the concept, then go back to your normal reward system. Teach each command separately, and as you add more signs, run through them at random to keep them fresh in your dog’s memory.
After your dog gets really good at hand signs you can teach him or her to do little tricks that you can work into visits with family and friends. They will think your dog is actually listening to the conversation and really understands what is being said. Making the movements’ low key is the secret here, but this is only possible after the dog has learned the normal signs and knows what you expect.
Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase small dog clothes online.
