Hand signals

[Orrymain]

Do you use hand signals along with verbal commands when you train your dogs?

[Bill]

Yes, absolutely. If you do both, within a couple of months you can do either and get the same results. Often you get better results with hand signals.

[kernow]

Yes, I have to use hand signals because she is deaf, but I still speak to her as well, it feels more 'normal' to do it that way.

[Orrymain]

I haven't had success with it with my current dogs, but I had a shepherd/collie once who really responded so well to hand signals.

[Bill]

Dogs aren't really verbal animals. I find it much easier to teach things using hand signals rather than words. You need to make your hand signals things are are obvious as to what behavior you want. For example, a downward palm down motion of the hand means "down". A palm extended toward the dog means "stay". Dogs are fantastic at body language. Thats their native language.

[Orrymain]

Yes, I've used those before. Maybe I just need to do more of it with these two.

[phoenyxstarr]

We use a combination of words & hand signals. The hand signals are used simply because I have a habit of talking with my hands anyway so why not teach the dogs that as well as the words. Ya know?

[PetParent]

Dogs read body language. Even if you don't use a signal grab a leash or a treat jar and you will most likely get a reaction. Sometimes we are giving them signals and we don't even know it. The fun part is making that work to our advantage.

[kernow]

I still use spoken instruction despite having a deaf dog because it comes naturally and I suspect most people who use voice commands probably use hand signals as well without without even being aware of it.

[luv2write]

I have noticed this with my sisters dog. They really do learn fast. If they get under the sink where they keep the treats he goes crazy!