How to Train Hand Signals to your dog

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By Goodlepups
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Good Sit!

How to train hand signals to your dog. Train sit, down, and stay.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Dog
Treats
Yourself
a few Minutes a day

Step 1

Find a comfortable and relaxed place in your house. If you are training a puppy it might be helpful to put a leash on. The leash may be helpful in preventing jumping and avoidance of distractions. The leash may help redirect your dog if he/she gets distracted. If a distraction occurs simply guide your dog back to the training area with the leash. Have some desirable treats close at hand, cheese and hot dogs work wonderfully.
Step 2

Begin by holding your treat in the palm of your hand, hold your hand flat and either crouch down to your dogs level (if your dog is a puppy) or stand infront of your dog. As you hold your hand up palm facing the sky, fingers straight out, treat in center say "sit" as long as your dog already knows the verbal command. After your dog does this treat and praise him/her and do it again... Repetition is the key!!!
*If your dog doesn't know the verbal command teach verbal command by crouching to dogs level, hold treat in hand, raise hand above dog's nose and slightly back towards the dogs backside, this will put them in a sit, then say the command and treat as your dogs butt hits the ground.
Step 3

For the down command you will have to get a bit closer to the ground, closer to your dog. Put your dog in a sitting position. Hold your treat in your hand, hand facing downward, try to hold your treat with two or less fingers. Say "down" as you lower your hand towards the floor, this hand signal is the opposite of the sit command.
When your dog completes his/her down praise and treat!
Step 4

Now you will want to generalize this to your dog so practice it inside, outside, at the vet, at the park, on a walk, in many different rooms of your house... etc. Also practice frequently. in a matter of a few weeks you will be able to give your dog a hand command and leave out the verbal command!
Congratulations! Now your dog can listen to verbal and hand commands!