Dog Training Hand Signals

Use dog training hand signals along with other dog training tips to reinforce your training. Using visual and verbal training is a key dog obedience training tip. Find dog training tips online free.

When many people think of training a dog, they immediately recall verbal commands like sit and stay. However many canine owners are starting to use dog training hand signals.

There are a variety of reasons for this, many of which come from dog training tips. Tip number one is that dogs respond better to more than one stimulus just like people. So if they hear a command AND see a command it reinforces that behavior.

You may not know it, but if you've had a dog for a while you've probably already trained them in some gestures. For example, do they come to the door when you pick up a leash or your coat? That's a dog training hand signal that comes out of your natural movements with the dog.

Over time, they learn to respond to that repeated motion on your part. Dog training hand signals simply take this idea a little further by fashioning specific hand movements and using them consistently throughout training.

Besides the fact that the visual impact reinforces behavior, this is a great way to be able to communicate to your dog when you're in noisy spaces, or when he's a distance from you. No need to shout, just make your signals. It's very similar to sign language for humans with a behavioral element built in. What a fantastic dog obediance training tip!

You can apply hand signals in two ways. One would be to create your own with a little knowledge of what NOT to do. Don't point directly at a dog, particularly agressive ones as that can be considered a challenge for example. If you know that your dog reacts badly to certain motions, don't use those motions. Whatever you devise make it simple, consistent and always combine the hand signal with the exact same verbal command. Any deviation may leave your dog looking at you like you've got three heads, or worse send the wrong message altogether.

The main advantage in using your own hand commands is that it's unlikely that another dog who knows hand commands will be affected by them. Having said that many well trained dogs only respond to their owner's voice and movements. Some of the simplest commands that dog training schools offer are also visually logical. For example:

• Down: Move the palm of your hand downward at a slight angle to the floor while firmly saying down. You may have to give the dog a gentle push on the back to encourage the movement (no force, just so they get the idea). Repeat the hand signal and command every time you want them to lay down.
• Stop: Use your hand palm up (police style). For larger dogs sometimes using both hands works better - it presents a "bigger" obstacle.
• Come: Bring your arms up at each side fully opened, then touch your hands together in front of you around your stomach / hips.
• Sit: using the first two fingers of your dominant hand (other fingers tucked in and your hand turned sideways to the ground) point the fingers downward while saying DOWN.
• Hell: touch the side of your calf with the hand on the same side of your body where you want the dog walking, then turn and begin walking.
• Eat: point at the dog's food bowl with your arm straight in front of you.
• Catch: you can use a simple pitching motion with this command.
• Watch: using your first two fingers in a V with your hand down get the dog to focus on your fingers then move them to your eye's (this is great if your dog has hearing problems).

No matter what dog training hand signals you use, be patient with yourself and your pet. Dogs usually learn quickly especially if they see you're pleased. The more time you invest in practice the better your results become.

Training your dog is just one (important) responsibility in caring for your pet. You also need to ensure that your dog is healthy

Provide good nutrition by feeding your canine healthy, homemade dog food and homemade dog treats like dog biscuits.

Dog food needs to provide high value protein and high fiber carbohydrates. You also need to make sure that you are aware of dog food sensitivities and allergies your pet might have, or might develop - some breeds are much more sensitive than others.

If your dog does exhibit dog food allergies, visit your veterinarian and use PetAlive Allergy Itch Ease to temporarily relieve your dog's skin allergies and itch.

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