Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Tips & Warnings:
- Dogs learn through repetition. Practice about five minutes a day.
- Make sure everyone in the household is training the same way.
- make sure you use treats that your dog really loves.
Step1
Before giving your dog a command like sit or down make sure that you have your dog's attention. Once you have your dog's attention hold a treat very close to your dogs nose. Guide your dog into a sit, down and stand.
Step2
By having your dog follow the treat your dog will get into the habit of following your hands. Now we need to fade out the food lures and start to use hand signals.
Step3
The hand signal for sit is your hand straight out with your palm facing the ceiling. The hand signal for down is to turn your hand over palm facing down. The hand signal for stand the your hand vertically in front of you.
Step4
Now as you say the command sit, give your dog the hand signal moving your hand in a swift arc in front of your dog. Then try the down and stand commands. Always clearly saying the command followed by a hand signal.
Step5
As you pair the command with the hand signal your dog will learn through repitition. After some practice you'll be able to give your dog the hand signal with no verbal command and your dog will preform the command.
