8 Common Hand Signals for Dog Training & How to Teach Them
Owning a dog can bring you immeasurable joy, but these loyal companions also require a lot of work, especially if you get a puppy. Effective training can make your dog ownership significantly less stressful and more enjoyable.
While you can employ several techniques to train your pet, dog training experts understand how best to teach your dog how to behave. Nevertheless, learning hand signals for dog training ensures you understand how to train your pet effectively from the start.
Why Dogs Respond Well to Hand Signals
Many new dog owners wonder why hand signals are necessary. According to the American Kennel Club, about 5 to 10% of dogs suffer from either partial or full deafness. It’s also common for older dogs to develop hearing deficiencies as they age, making the combination of body language, visual signals, and verbal cues crucial for obedience.
Even without hearing disabilities, hand signals strengthen your pet’s cognition, focus, and attention. Additionally, combining hand signals with a verbal command ensures your dog understands you in loud environments. Finally, training your pet improves your trust and relationship, which makes them more responsive to commands.
The ‘Golden Rules’ of Teaching Dog HandSignals
Before you start, understand these key principles.
- Pair the Signal with the Word: When starting, give the hand signal first, then say the verbal cue (e.g., show the “sit” signal, then say “Sit”). Your dog will learn to anticipate the word and associate the visual signal with the action.
- Use a Lure: The easiest way to teach a signal is to use a treat as a “lure.” The motion you use to guide your dog with the treat becomes the hand signal.
- Keep Sessions Short: Keep training to just 5-10 minutes, 1-2 times a day. This keeps your dog focused and excited to learn.
- Be Consistent: Everyone in the family must use the exact same hand signal for each command.
- Fade the Verbal Cue: Once your dog knows the signal, start using only the hand signal. If they don’t respond, help them by adding the verbal cue back, but reward them more heavily when they get it from the signal alone.
Foundational Signals (The ‘Big 3’) to Teach First
Before you get to the fun tricks, start with these essential signals for focus and control.
1. Watch Me (Focus)
- The Signal: Take a pointed finger from your dog’s eye level up to your own eyes.
- How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat in your hand. Let your dog sniff it.
- Perform the signal, moving your hand from their nose up to your eyes.
- The moment their eyes meet yours, say “Yes!” and give them the treat.
- Practice this until you can do it without a treat in your signal hand (but still reward them from your other hand).
2. Sit
- The Signal: Start with your hand open, palm facing up, at your dog’s nose level. Move your hand up and back over their head in a small “C” shape.
- How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat in your hand and perform the signal motion, luring your dog’s nose up and back.
- As their nose goes up, their rear end will naturally go down.
- The moment their butt hits the floor, say “Yes!” and give them the treat.
3. Lay Down
- The Signal: Start with your dog in a “Sit.” Hold your hand flat, palm facing down, and move it straight down from their nose toward the floor.
- How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat in your hand and perform the signal, luring their nose down to the floor.
- Once their nose is at the floor, slowly pull the treat away from them (horizontally along the floor) until they are in a full “down” position.
- Say “Yes!” and reward.
8 Fun & Helpful Hand Signals to Teach Next
Once your dog has mastered the basics, you can move on to these fun and useful signals.
1. Come
- The Signal: Start with your arm extended out to your side, then swing it in a big, sweeping motion toward your chest or leg.
- How to Teach It:
- When your dog is a short distance away, perform the signal and say “Come!” in an excited voice.
- Reward them heavily with treats and praise when they get to you. Never use the “Come” signal for something negative (like a bath).
2. Stay
- The Signal: Hold your hand open with your palm facing forward, like a “stop” sign.
- How to Teach It:
- Ask your dog to “Sit” or “Lay Down.”
- Give the “Stay” signal and wait one second.
- If they hold their position, say “Yes!” and give them a treat.
- Gradually increase the time (1 second, 3 seconds, 5 seconds) before you reward.
3. Drop It
- The Signal: Point your finger firmly toward the floor.
- How to Teach It:
- Give your dog a toy. Then, show them a high-value treat.
- When they open their mouth to take the treat (and drop the toy), say “Drop It!” and give them the treat.
- Practice this, adding the hand signal before you show the treat.
4. Fetch (or “Take It”)
- The Signal: Point your finger directly at the object (toy, ball) you want them to pick up.
- How to Teach It:
- Point at the toy and say “Fetch!”
- When your dog moves toward it, praise them.
- Once they pick it up, use your “Come” signal to have them bring it to you.
5. High Five (or “Paw”)
The Signal: Kneel down and hold your hand out, palm open, in a “high five” position.
- How to Teach It:
- Show your dog a treat in your other hand, then close your fist.
- Present your open “high five” hand. Your dog will likely nudge or paw at your treat hand.
- The moment they lift their paw to touch your open hand, say “Yes!” and give them the treat from your fist.
6. Roll Over
- The Signal: Make a circular, rolling motion with your hand or finger.
- How to Teach It:
- Start with your dog in a “Lay Down” position.
- Take a treat and lure their nose from one side of their head toward their shoulder, causing them to roll onto their side, then back.
- As you do this, perform the circular hand signal. Reward them when they complete the roll.
7. Spin
- The Signal: Point your finger at your dog and move it in a small, horizontal circle.
- How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat and use it to lure your dog in a tight circle.
- As they follow the treat, perform the “Spin” signal with your other hand.
- Once they complete the circle, say “Yes!” and reward.
8. Stand (or “Up”)
- The Signal: Start with your hand open, palm facing up, and make a “scooping” motion from your hip forward, as if lifting the dog.
- How to Teach It:
- Start with your dog in a “Sit” or “Lay Down.”
- Hold a treat and lure their nose forward and slightly up, so they have to stand to get it.
- As they stand, use the “Stand” signal, say “Yes!” and reward.
Get Your Dogs Professionally Trained at the Dan Gentile Dog Training Center
Dan Gentile Dog Training Center’s professionals are experts at training new puppies and dogs of all ages. For more information on hand signals for dog training, call (732) 938-5040 and start your dog on a top-rated training program!