#Dog hand signal how to#

Improve your communication by teaching your deaf dog the following ten hand signals. Owners of deaf dogs find success with teaching obedience skills using hand signals. Dogs are amazing visual learners at any age.

#Dog hand signal how to#

How to Train a Deaf Dog with Hand Signals: Obedience Skills Using Hand Signalsĭog owners teach their deaf dogs visual hand signals to represent specific actions. Repeat so it is clear that dog knows that that symbol means correct behavior. Position your dog in front of you, have several treats in one hand, and use the other hand for the marker signal. When establishing and teaching your marker signal treat your dog within 2-3 seconds after using the signal. You can use the marker signal every time they give you eye contact as well. Marker signals are a quick way to praise your dog after you get their attention. You want a signal that will work in the home and in the yard. Some marker signals that are frequently used by other deaf dog owners are “thumbs up” or flashing “three fingers”, or you can use the ASL symbol for the word “yes”. For dogs that can hear, often it is shortened to “yes” as the marker word.ĭeaf dogs need a marker signal that works for the dog owners. A marker signal is the equivalent of a click in clicker training, “great job” or “yes, that is correct behavior”.

When you begin training your dog, it is important to establish a marker signal. Photo by Zen Chung on Pexels How to Train a Deaf Dog with Hand Signals: Establish a Market Signal

How to Train a Deaf Dog to Sit and Stay.

Often people will use two fingers and gently touch the dog’s shoulder or backend. Be consistent with how you touch your dog and where you touch your dog when you want to get their attention. You can use a small flashlight to get the dog’s attention. This form of getting a dog’s attention is best used when it is dark outside. A gentle vibration collar can symbolize the dog’s name and draw their attention to you. This type of collar is not an electronic shock collar. Vibration collars are worn on the dog strictly for communication purposes.

You can stomp your feet on the floor or use your fist to make tapping vibrations.Ĭollar Vibrations.

There are two common ways to get your deaf dog’s attention using vibrations on the ground. The first question when you begin learning how to train a deaf dog with hand signals is, how do I get the attention of my deaf dog? There are four common ways to get a deaf dog’s attention one is through vibrations on the ground, vibration through a vibration collar, through light signals and gentle specific touch. How to Train a Deaf Dog with Hand Signals: Getting the Dog’s Attention

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash.

People that own a deaf dog will often use a Deaf Dog Sign Language (DDSL), which is based on the ASL hand signals. As of today, there is not a standard sign language for deaf dogs. Many people have adapted the American Sign Language (ASL) hand signals and use them with their dogs. Dogs and humans that use hand signals as a form of communication live happy and content lives together. Whether you are getting a puppy that was born deaf or you have an older dog that is losing their hearing, you can learn how to train a deaf dog with hand signals.

Since dogs naturally communicate better with visual cues, it is not uncommon for deaf dogs to learn over twenty hand signals. Dog owners will agree that obedience training is just as important for a deaf dog.Īs with all dog training, commit your time, your energy and the results will be a fantastic dog that can be obedient, confident, and even participate in many dog sports. Deaf dogs can learn just as easily with a few unique shifts in your training methods. Training a dog that is partially deaf or completely deaf is very similar to training a new puppy.