List of Dog Commands and Hand Signals with Chart (2023 Updated)

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list of dog commands and hand signals

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If you ever been confused about finding out the best-recommended list of dog commands and hand signals that most canine owners use? We have discussed the effective practices for you and your canine ease. Everyone tries his ways, but some common and acceptable commands and dog training hand signals are essential to teach your canine effectively.

See Also: Most Powerful Collar for Dogs

The Basic Commands Every Dog Needs To Know

Top 10 commands every dog should know

What commands and hand signals have you taught to your canine?

Anyway, I am here to tell you about the list of hand signals and dog commands that contemporary dog owners apply.

So, let’s start and learn these skills step by step, but first of all, I will tell you some important aspects you must focus on before you start training your dog commands and hand signals.

Does your pooch understand your commands and hand signals?

This is an important thing which shows the bond between you and your best friend. I think this is the primary reason that affects your dog’s training.

You should notice yourself, if you want to train someone or especially your canine, you and your pooch must understand each other otherwise, training may be a disgusting experience for both of you.

It is common sense if your canine doesn’t understand your daily commands and routine gestures; how could he understand your specific commands and hand signals?

 Does your canine obey your command to “SIT” or not?

Do you think teaching your dog commands and signals is very difficult?

If you think it is a very difficult process, you are mistaken. It is an easily applicable process that anyone can utilize anywhere, whether at home in a rural area or at a professional training institute.

I saw a boy teaching a handshake to his pet. He showed a treat to it and then closed it in his fist.

His dog tried a lot to catch the treat, and when he raised his hand and put it on the boy’s hand, the boy opened it and gave it to his pooh.

Then he kept up that training, and his dog became habitual of the handshake.

This is the mechanism, the psyche behind the dog training for commands and signals.

Have you tried that method at your home with your best friend?

Is the reward technique effective for your dog in commands and hand signals training?

Obviously, yes. If you encourage anyone with a treat, no matter if he is a human being or a pet, what will be the results? You will get positive results. You may try it at your home.

Give your canine a treat at any command and the corresponding act; you will see it will become its habit.

One more thing you should remember is the complete knowledge about your pooch because some dogs are treat motivated, some are verbally praise motivated, and some are physically encouragement inspired like rubbing. You must do what he likes.

In this video, you can perceive the procedure.

Hand signals and commands for your dog

Does your canine like a treat or verbal praise?

I will introduce you to critical dog training, hand signals, and verbal commands.

When you teach your dog, there is a mixture of verbal commands and hand signals. But for me, I think it is very easy to teach your dog through none verbally than verbal cues.

 I know you are very anxious about teaching your pet his first command. That is great! But first, you must make a bridge of communication between you and your canine.

So, first of all, you must teach your canine the basic commands; then, you should go toward advanced commands.

I am also starting with some basic commands, and we will move toward other commands till the send. And if your canine is aggressive, you should go with E Collar plus basic commands but always remember to use this gadget with a soft and kind heart.

So, here we go:

Step By Step List of Dog Commands and Hand Signals

1: Good dog!

You will use This word or sound to tell your canine when he did something right, like “Good dog!“.

You must say this word followed by a treat. Repeat this word with a treat until your pooch becomes excited about this word.

When your friend becomes habitual to this word, you may use it in training and as a reward because it will make your pooch happier and permanently become a part of its behavior.

What is the primary word your pooch is familiar with?

2: Naming your dog!

What is the name of your best friend?            

It looks strange to teach your dog its name, but this dog training command can be very useful to get your dog’s attention.

The importance of that command can be understood when you are in a crowd.

3: Bark or Speak

This is also a dog command, but usually, dog owners don’t use that trick. It is used to scare off people.

4: Quiet

This is a crucial command for your canine if he is habitual barking. Barking dogs become a panic for the owners. So, in this situation, the “QUIET” command can be like a blessing.

How do you stop your dog from barking?

5: “NO” command

This command is essential for your canine because sometimes you must prohibit your dog from doing something.

You can teach that command to your canine very quickly. Just place a treat on the ground, and your canine will surely go towards it at that time; pull your dog’s leash and say “NO,” and then show a treat in your hand and say “YES.”

If you repeat that method for some days, your dog will become habitual of that particular command.

List of Dog Commands and hand signals
List of dog commands

6: “Sit” command

It is a basic command. Every dog keeper wants to teach this command. You can see its importance as it helps to keep your pooch in one place.

You can train your dog “SIT” command. It would be best if you took the treat high enough as your canine will go to sit position, as the sit position gives extra height to your pooch. Then, in the standing position right at that moment, say “SIT” and give the treat to your canine.

Then if you repeat the steps consistently, your pooch will become familiar with the sitting position at the “SIT” command.

7: “Stay” command

Stay command is also crucial to calm your pooch in the crowd. You can also teach that command using a treat in your hand. Just give him positive reinforcement.

 Does your dog stay in the street or run away when you want to keep him stay?

8: “Take” and “Drop” command

Does your dog take away your shoes far from you, and you remain to chase him? If yes, you must train your dog “Take” and “Drop” commands.

You can also teach that command by using a treat or reward method. Just take in your hand a favorite toy of your canine. He will try to catch it, and when he tries to take it, say “take” and give him a treat.

You must take another favorite toy and call him to take it with a treat. When he will leave his toy, then say the command “Drop it.”

 If you repeat that training daily, then you will get better results.

9: “Come” command

You can make your dog come to you by showing him a treat. At that moment, you must say, “COME.” It saves you from chasing up your puppy.

Have you noticed that every command depends upon a treat or reward? This is because it is the most effective method to train your pooch.

If you have a small dog, always use a comfortable training accessory, as he is so cute and lovely.

While starting training, use long-length leashes for both small and large dogs. It is okay if you have a short length leash, like 5-6 six ft, but an extended length of 10,15,30 is preferable.

Dog Training Hand Signals Chart PDF

Dog Training Hand signals

Have you noticed that all the signals I have told you are almost verbal commands? But now, I will tell you some essential hand signals and commands to train your best friend.

So, let’s go!

Note: Let me clarify that hand signals can’t be applied separately. You must use verbal commands accompanied by hand signals.

You must also use the reward technique here for better and faster results. You must use:

  • Treat or Reward
  • Practice consistently
  • A positive tone

Three steps to teach your canine hand signals

  • Firstly, Teach verbal commands.
  • Secondly, Teach hand signals accompanied by verbal commands.
  • In the third stage, you can only use hand signals.

This is the primary criteria or procedure for training your puppy’s hand signals.

Whatever your hand signal is, you should use it with verbal commands at first. When your pet understands your hand signal, you can use it separately.

Now, let’s have a look at some crucial hand signals:

1: Look at me (Finger towards your face)

This is a significant nonverbal command. You must teach your canine that command at first because it makes your friend attentive to you.

For each training, attention towards yourself is critical. So it would be best if you did it first.

Hold a treat on your finger and raise it to your face. Your dog will see the prize and your face and say, “Watch me.”

 You must repeat that training again and again until your canine is familiar with your hand signal.

2: Sit (Swing palm up)

This is a primary hand signal. You have to swing your palm up with the open hand.

But firstly, you must use it with a treat in your fingers with the open hand and then repeat that training several times, and your dog will be familiar with only your hand signal.

 How do you make your dog sit?

hand signals to train your dog
Dog Training Hand Signals

3: Stay or wait (Palm up)

This is another essential skill. You can teach that skill using a treat or reward method. Just raise your hand open and palm outward towards your pet, and each time he stays at your hand signal, give him a treat.

4: Lay down (Finger downward)

Hold a treat in your hand and signal with your finger downward, accompanied by a verbal command—a very simple method. You can quickly try it at your home.

5: Come (Sway your palm towards you)

If your pooch knows the verbal command “come.” Just use a swaying palm towards you accompanied by a verbal command.

If you repeat that training several times daily, he will gradually understand your hand signal. But remember that if you want a faster response, you must use a treat in each training.

 So, This is the list of dog commands and hand signals. I think it will be clear how to train your canine sophisticatedly.

Some critical points in dog commands and dog training hand signals

  • Be patience
  • Don’t make any rush as they are not human beings to understand your commands quickly.
  • Make the steps easy.
  • Use a treat or reward in each step to make him learn faster.
  • Make the training process fun and entertaining, as you and your pooch may enjoy this.
  • Don’t give punishment, and avoid harsh words to your puppy, as it will weaken your relationship with your puppy.
  • Find a calm and quiet place before trying in public because focus and attention are crucial.
  • Use Chew proof leash if your canine is a chewer.
  • Take part in the practice like a friend with your canine because it depends upon your relationship with him.
  • Don’t force your friend at any point. If he doesn’t understand, try repeatedly, but let him know independently.

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