Dog Training Hand Signals 101 - Learn How To Easily Train Your Dog Training Using Hand Signals [New!]

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Kunthida

In this post, you will find a clear and simple explanation of the use of dog training hand signals. Read it carefully and you will have one more tool to better train your dog…

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Why Do You Need Dog Training Hand Signals

Perhaps you are trying to improve your dog’s behavior with new methods that you think are very effective. If so, don’t forget to add the use of hand signals to your repertoire of dog training techniques. They are very important and should definitely be added to the voice commands you probably already know and use.

In certain situations, from a distance, or in very noisy environments, your dog may not hear your voice well and not obey you. So here’s the reason to teach your pet hand signals.

Furthermore, the combination of both vocal and manual signals is often very effective.

Dog training hand signals are used in particular by professional dog trainers who work on the agility or hunting skills of dogs in the open. Even from a distance, they are able to guide the movement of animals, making them run, stop, remain motionless, turn right or left.

With the right preparation you can now do it too: below are 3 basic signals that you can teach your dog quite easily, following the instructions you give me.

The “Sit” Command

For the “sit” command, here’s the hand signal: bend your arm upwards at the elbow and then raise your hand with your fist closed up to your head’s side while you command your dog to sit simultaneously.

Keep on doing these hand movements while commanding your dog to sit.

Later on, your pet will soon learn how to associate the hand signal with your vocal command.

Now, if you are not able to get your dog’s attention the first time you try the hand signal, don’t punish it. Instead, keep trying, or better yet, make sure you have a leash in your left hand.

The “Down” Command

For the “down” command, the hand signal is just like when you are asking someone to sit down at the same time saying, “Have a seat.”

To teach your dog the hand signal for down, you need to hold your arm out towards your pet and then lower your hand, on which your palm faces down towards the floor.

While doing this, give the “down” command, and your dog will follow your hand signal into the down position.

Just like in the sit hand signal, keep repeating this until your dog learns to associate the lowering of your hand towards the floor as part of the “down” command.

The “Stay” Command

For the “stay” command, first, put your dog into the sit or down position.

Afterward, hold out your arm towards your pet, with your palm’s position similar to that of a policeman who’s using a hand signal to stop traffic.

And just like in the previous two commands, do this at the same time command your dog to “stay”, with your firm tone of voice.

If at first, your dog does not follow, try it again until he recognizes that hand signal means “down”.

Using hand signals can really do a lot when training your dog.

Although you may find it difficult to make your dog obey at first, don’t give up, but instead, keep repeating the signals until it understands what you are trying to communicate.

Take note that if you are consistent and thorough in showing your pet those hand signals, the faster it will respond.