Hands-On Training: 5 Signals to Teach Your Dog

Updated on 7/19/2018 at 6:08 PM

If you adopted a new puppy recently, you probably need some pointers on getting your new furry friend to learn commands. So talk with your hands! While tiny treats are key motivators to any positive training session, there's something else you really should be doing. In addition to using the chosen words for sit, stay, and more, also select a distinctive gesture for each command. Choose a hand movement that feels natural, and stick with it once you get started. Not sure where to start? Get inspired by these standard signals that you can easily teach your dog.

Sit

Holding one finger pointed up is a great way to teach a dog to sit. While working on this trick, make sure to bring your arm from its natural position limp at your side up and into this position to signify the command.

Down

Use the word "down" for encouraging your pup to lie down and "off," and accompany this word with a palm flat and facing the ground. If he's still not getting it from this signal alone, move your palm down toward the floor to show him where to go.

Come

C'mere! The natural curling of a finger used to encourage kids to come is the same way to call a dog. While you can surely use several fingers in this motion, it can get distracting for a dog who's learning other signals that involve the whole hand. Stick with using the pointer finger to gesture him over.

Stay

Like a crossing guard would show at intersections, holding a hand with the palm facing out and forward means stop or "stay." Try alternating this signal with the "come" gesture for an impromptu red light/green light training game.

Bring It

This is a key command to any game of fetch — unless you want to be doing all the retrieving yourself. In addition to giving the verbal command, place your hand at doggie eye level with palm facing the pooch, which gives you the perfect placement to then receive the item as he learns to let it go right in your hand.

Remember: to teach a dog these hand signals, begin by using the word and the gesture, and then alternate training until the pooch can do as you desire without you even opening your mouth!