Should You Teach Your Dog Hand Signals?

Courtesy: Positive Changes Dog Training

Have you ever wondered if you should teach your dog hand signals? The simple answer is YES!

Keep reading about the added benefits behind training and using hand signals with your dog!

Courtesy: Positive Changes Dog Training

K9 Hand Signals: The 5 Benefits

When it comes to training and using hand signals with your dog, the first reason is the obvious one, training a deaf dog. But there are other reasons for training your dog with hand signals.

  1. Teaching hand signals to your dog can effectively increase his overall focus on you … a critical factor in all dog training.

  2. Noisy environments where your dog may not be able to hear your verbal cues or commands.

  3. Hand signals sharpen your dog’s learning and mind.

  4. If you plan on competing in advanced obedience, you and your dog will need to know hand signals.

  5. Long distances could also make it difficult for your dog to hear your commands.

One of the reasons why hand signals are important in communicating with your dog is that dogs naturally read and respond to body language, among each other as well as with their human companions!

Reasons to Teach Hand Signals to Your Dog

Courtesy: Positive Changes Dog Training

This is actually backed up with real science in a recent Italian study with 25 dogs including Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Amazingly, the results were statistically significant in revealing dogs were more reliable with hand signals although they were taught both verbal cues and hand signals.

Here’s what the study revealed:

  • 99% accuracy with dogs responding to hand signals!

  • 82% accuracy in dog responses with verbal commands.

  • 70% accuracy to the visual cues given with conflicting verbal cues.

K9 Hand Signals: ALWAYS DO THIS!

Just like with verbal cues, always be consistent in using the same hand signal with your dog. There is less chance of your dog becoming confused and slowing the learning process which means less frustration for you and your dog.

How to Train K9 Hand Signals: 4 Tips

  1. Decide which hand signal you will use for each command. The best visual cues are those you will easily remember.

  2. Use the same hand for the same hand signal.

  3. Train your dog away from noise or distractions. Keep training sessions short, approximately 15 minutes, and make it FUN!

  4. Always end the training session on a positive, happy note.

Courtesy: Positive Changes Dog Training

K9 Hand Signals: 11 Common K9 Hand Signals

  1. Attention, look at me or watch me

  2. Sit

  3. Down

  4. Stay

  5. Come

  6. Heel

  7. Drop it

  8. Place

  9. Good job!

  10. Quiet

  11. Release or you’re free to go!

Again, consistency with using the exact same signal with the same hand each time will teach and reinforce the wanted behavior quicker from your dog.

When training your dog, teach both verbal cues and visual cues. No matter the situation you find yourself in, you will always be able to effectively communicate with your dog!

But teach them separately so your puppy or dog does not become confused!

Courtesy: Positive Changes Dog Training

Voted #1 Dog Training Company in Las Vegas!

A well-behaved dog is a safe and happy dog!

Never leave your dog’s behavior to chance with our professional dog training classes!

Enjoy a dog you can take anywhere anytime!

CALL 702-665-4256 FOR HELP WITH DOG TRAINING!

OR EMAIL US AT PCDOGTRAININGLV@GMAIL.COM.

JOIN THE 1,500+ HAPPY DOG TRAINING CLIENTS IN HENDERSON AND LAS VEGAS, NV

Nicole Pablico