Hand Signals

[maxfox426]

I am trying to train Morgan using hand signals and verbal commands. I got this from my mom, who has had a couple dogs go deaf in old age and the hand signals were a life saver. Now, I am not worried about deafness anytime soon, but as everyone has been saying: the sooner the better when it comes to training!

Anyways, I am starting to teach "lie down" and discovered that the hand signal that I've learned is the same as the one for "sit". Is this common practice? Or is there another hand signal that trainers use for "lie down"? Are there any good online resources?

We are planning to take Morgan to training classes once he has his last round of booster shots, but that isn't for another month or so. I just want to be consistent as best I can until that point.

 

[DanL]

I use a motion with an open palm starting high and sweeping low, almost like a "heil Hitler" position at the start, and then moving your arm down towards your side like throwing something. For Gunnar, I can just point at the floor and he'll drop.

For sit, I start with my hand down, palm facing towards the dog, then do an upward motion bringing the hand towards the shoulder. Like you are curling a dumbbell.

For come, I start with the same position as sit, but bring my palm across my chest towards the opposite shoulder, like doing a pledge of allegiance.

Hand signals are great, and it's actually easier for the dog to learn the hand command than the verbal. It's fun when you get your dog to the point where you can go through a routine of commands without saying anything until you praise at the end.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I agree with DanL. Hand signals are just like verbal cues, though, in that it doesn't really matter what the cue is, as long as the dog knows what it is. If you use luring to teach a behavior, you can use a form of the lure as your hand signal - many people teach "down" by luring a treat from the dog's nose to the ground, so you can turn that downward movement of you hand into your hand signal.

And, just like with verbal cues, each cue is for only one behavior. If you use the same hand signal for sit and for down, your dog will be very confused.

 

[bubbatd]

I always used them . Guess it just went naturally with basic obedience and with advanced , no verbal communications . When Rufus was 16 and deaf , it sure helped !

 

[MysticRealm]

my hand signal for down is to take my right hand from me left shoulder diagonally down to my right hip.
my sit signal is right hand straight up.
come is 2 taps on the leg with my right hand.
stand up is having my arm ins front of me at a 90 degree angle to my body and sweeping it outwards to my side.

I am not training right now, but when I do I want people to use the same hand signals as I do cause if I take their dog to do training with it I won't remember to do the owners hand signal (cause my hand signals are second nature to me) so the dog will end up confused.
You may want to hold off on the hand signals till the training classes

 

[Lilavati]

It is totally up to you what hand signs you use.

"Down" is my hand held out, palm down, and then moving it towards the ground.

Sit is my hand next to my leg, palm facing fowards.

its just what you end up with.

 

[Xerxes]

I use hand signals for directing field exercises. I also train every basic command with a hand signal. I find it's much easier and a much more reliable form of communication since dogs are incredible body language readers.

 

[Romy]

It's also helpful because you don't have to break a conversation with someone to tell you dog to down, sit, or leave it. Having Strider as a service animal, I find that we communicate much more often in body language and hand signals than verbal commands.

 

[TrixieSolitaire]

These are the signals I use for deaf dogs as well as dogs that can hear.
They are universal.
http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.php

 

[Sch3Dana]

Just make sure the signals you pick are distinct and easy to see up close and from a bit of a distance. Larger movements are generally better. Good Luck!

 

[Island dog]

These are the signals I use for deaf dogs as well as dogs that can hear.
They are universal.
http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.php

Excellent website - I would prefer not to use verbal.