, this was the "anchor." He would point his index and middle fingers toward the floor. It was a sharp, clear directive. Within a week, the moment Elias’s hand moved toward the ground, ’s heavy rear would hit the grass. This was 's favorite.
SIT 🖐️⬆️ (palm up, lift toward ceiling) DOWN 🖐️⬇️ (palm down, lower to floor) STAY ✋ (palm facing dog, hold) COME 🙆♂️➡️🫂 (arms open → chest) WAIT ✋⏳ (palm facing dog, waist level) LEAVE IT ✊➡️✋ (fist opens) DROP IT 👇 (point to ground) HEEL 🖐️🦵 (pat left hip) TOUCH ☝️☝️ (two fingers extended) ROLL OVER ✋🌀 (rolling motion) SPIN (L) ☝️🔄 (circle clockwise) SPIN (R) ☝️🔄 (circle counterclockwise) QUIET 🤫 (finger over lips) PLACE 👉🛏️ (point + scoop) STAND ✋➡️ (horizontal palm push away) hand signals for dogs chart
American Standard Dog Training 0:38 Show all Command Hand Signal Action Sit Start with your hand at your side, palm facing up, and move it up to waist/shoulder level. Down With palm facing down, start at waist height and move hand down towards the ground. Stay Extend your hand forward toward the dog, palm facing outward (like a "stop" signal). Come Open your arms wide, or sweep one hand across your chest to your opposite shoulder. Stand Raise your palm upward from the side, or hold an open hand toward the dog and pull it slightly back. Look at Me Point to your own eyes with your index finger to encourage focus. Heel Tap your thigh, indicating the side you want your dog to walk on. Drop It Point to the ground or hold a closed fist out, then open it downwards. Wait Raise your palm to waist level with the palm facing the dog. Off A downward motion with your hand, palm down. How to Teach Hand Signals (Lure-and-Reward) Introduce the Signal: While holding a treat, perform the hand motion (e.g., lift the treat to guide the dog into a sit). Pair with Words: As the dog follows the hand motion, say the verbal cue ("Sit"). Remove the Treat: Repeat the process without a treat in your hand, using only the hand motion. Practice Consistency: Ensure everyone in the household uses the same hand signal for each command. YouTube +1 Pro-Tips for Success Keep it Clear: Make hand signals distinct, large, and easy to see from a distance. Get Low: Crouch down to your dog's eye level when first teaching signals to make them easier to see. Don't Be Loud: According to this video from Packmaster Dog Training , dogs are more likely to ignore words than gestures, so make signals the primary focus, not the voice. Why It Matters: Hand signals are crucial for dogs with hearing issues and allow for silent communication in public or when watching television. Reddit +2 Disclaimer: There are no universal "standard" hand signals; the key is consistency with the gestures you choose. Reddit AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses Copy Creating a public link... You can now share this thread with others Good response Bad response 15 sites Hand signals or verbal commands? : r/Dogtraining - Reddit Oct 25, 2017 — , this was the "anchor
| Scenario | Best choice | |----------|--------------| | Deaf or senior dog | Hand signals only | | Noisy environment (e.g., dog park) | Hand signals | | Distance work (e.g., agility) | Hand signals (often combined with whistle) | | Nighttime or hidden dog | Verbal | | Quick interrupt (e.g., “Leave it”) | Verbal (faster) | | Formal obedience competition | Hand signals (AKC allows verbal+signal but signal alone is impressive) | This was 's favorite
would start with his arm at his side and scoop his hand upward toward his chest in a welcoming arc. To