Mastering dog training hand signals

Updated 15/11/2024

Training your dog is one of the most rewarding experiences as a pet parent, and using hand signals can add that extra level of communication between you and your furry companion. 

This guide will walk you through the basics of dog training hand signals, their benefits, and the top commands you should know for training your four-legged friend.

Top 10 dog training hand signals

Learning and mastering hand signals is a great way to train your pup. Below is a list of the top dog commands we’ll cover in this article:

1. Sit
2. Stay
3. Come
4. Lie down
5. Watch me
6. Roll over
7. Heel
8. Wait
9. Fetch
10. Drop it

Make sure to read on to find out what their corresponding hand signals are.

Why use dog training hand signals

There are many paw-some perks to using dog training hand signals. Our tail-waggers are highly attuned to our body language, which means non-verbal communication is one of the best tools when it comes to training. A study shows that dogs focus more on visual cues, especially from hands, compared to verbal cues. 

Dog hand signals also come in handy (pun intended!) in noisy environments or if you have a deaf dog.

Related article: How to train a deaf dog

List of dog commands and hand signals

So now let’s get into it. To communicate with your dog quickly and effectively, here are the top ten fundamental hand signals for dog training and how to use them:

1. Sit

To teach the dog training hand signal for sit, hold a hand out in front of you and move your palm up, from your waist to shoulder level. 

The upward motion of the sit hand signal naturally encourages your dog to sit down.

2. Stay

Extend your hand forward, palm facing outward towards your dog. This creates a clear boundary for your pup to stay in place.

3. Come

Sweep your hand across your chest and place it by your shoulder, inviting your dog toward you.

4. Lie down

With your palm facing down, move your hand towards the ground. This visual cue encourages your dog to lower itself into a lying position.

5. Watch me

Point to your eyes to capture your dog’s attention. This signal reinforces your dog’s focus on you.

6. Roll over

Make a circular hand motion in the air, which prompts your dog to roll over. This signal works well for fun tricks and exercise.

7. Heel

Tap your hip or make a motion at hip level to indicate that your dog should walk closely by your side.

8. Wait

Raise your palm to waist level. This command helps pause your dog’s movement, useful in situations like crossing streets or before entering the house.

9. Fetch

Make a throwing motion or point at the object. Dogs often associate this motion with chasing and retrieving an object – perfect for outdoor play!

10. Drop it

Lower your arm with an upturned fist (or a closed hand that opens into an open palm). This should invite your dog to drop the object into your hand. 

Related article: Dog training tips: an expert opinion

How to train your dog using hand signals

To master these hand signals for training dogs, you need to be patient and consistent as it might require some practice until your dog gets the hang of them. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Start with basic commands

Begin with simple commands like "sit," "stay," and "come." Use clear, deliberate hand movements every time you give a verbal cue. Over time, your dog will learn to associate the hand signal with the action.

Step 2: Use treats and positive reinforcement

Reward your good boy or girl each time they respond correctly to a hand signal with puppy training treats or encouragement. This helps build the connection between the hand movement and the desired behavior.

Step 3: Gradually remove verbal cues

Once your pooch responds reliably to the hand signals, start reducing your use of verbal commands. This will encourage your dog to be more responsive to non-verbal cues and build confidence in your communication.

Common mistakes in hand signal training

It’s easy to slip up when training hand commands for dogs. Here are some common mistakes to try to avoid when training your dog:

• Overlapping signals: Using hand signals that are too similar can confuse your dog. Ensure each command has a distinct motion.
• Lack of consistency: Inconsistent hand signals from one training session to another can confuse your dog. Stay consistent to reinforce correct behaviors.
• Moving too fast: Skipping steps in training, like phasing out verbal commands too quickly, can lead to frustration. Gradual progression ensures your dog fully understands each signal.
• Relying too heavily on treats: While treats are great for initial training, overreliance can take away the effectiveness of hand signals. Gradually reduce treat rewards as your dog aces each signal.

Hand signals for advanced training

The above list of hand signals is a great place to start if you’re a newbie to dog training using hand signals. But, once your clever canine has mastered the basics, you can move on to more complex hand signals and take your training to the next level. Some ways you can do this are:

Combining hand signals for complex tasks

You can train your dog to perform multiple actions in sequence by combining hand signals. For example, "sit" followed by "stay" or "come" after "wait."

Advanced obedience commands and tricks

Introduce fun tricks like "spin," where your dog twirls in a circle, or "crawl," where they move low to the ground. These can be taught using specific hand signals like the others.

Transitioning to off-leash training with hand signals

Hand signals for dogs can be useful when your dog is off-leash. With proper training, your dog will respond reliably, even from a distance.

To make training dog hand signals even more effective, consider using tools and additional resources. For example, using clickers to train hand signals can give your dog instant feedback when they get it right. 

You can also get help from a professional trainer experienced in dog hand commands, or look at dog training books, videos, and resources.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

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