This article has not yet passed wikiHow's quality review process. Learn more
Edit Article


There are several reasons why you may want to teach a dog to follow commands given visually rather than using traditional verbal commands but usually it's because the dog is deaf or the owner may not be able to communicate verbally. Whatever the reason, there's no reason why training a dog in sign language should be any more difficult than training a dog to obey verbal commands.

Ok,
CloseThis article has not yet passed wikiHow's quality review process. Learn more

Merge_590.png

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with:
"How to Teach Your Dog to Respond to Hand Signals"


Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2015-02-15.

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Decide what your signs are going to be. You may feel more comfortable using Sign Language, or you may want to make up your own signs. Consider how easy the signs are to make and whether you want to be able to make them with one hand so you can use them while the dog is on a lead. Ensure you have different, easily distinguishable, signs for each command you want your dog to learn before training and ensure the rest of the household knows them.
  2. 2
    Pick a time and place to train your dog. Don't train right after your dog has had a meal and train at a time and place where it will be fairly quiet and without distractions.
  3. 3
    Decide on what reward works best for your dog - treats work well, but if your dog responds best to a fuss, play or a favourite toy, it's fine to use whatever works best. It may be useful to teach the dog a "good boy" sign (thumbs up may work well) to use throughout training.
  4. 4
    Get the dog's attention using the reward and reward it for watching you
  5. 5
    When you can get your dog's attention and hold it, begin teaching a basic command as you would without signing (see an article on how to teach your dog the command you want) but replace the verbal commands with your sign.
  6. 6
    When the dog has learnt the command, move on to another to teach it. Remember to get the dog to practise commands it has learnt already frequently so it won't forget and gradually wean the dog off the reward once it has learnt the command until it will obey without being rewarded.
  7. 7
    Training is hard work for a dog, so remember to keep sessions fairly short and reward the dog afterwards with some playtime or maybe a walk to help it relax and teach it to associate the boring training sessions with the treat afterwards.

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
New Era hats?
Can you help us
rate articles?
Yes
No
New Era hats
how to clean New Era hats
Can you tell us about
beer batter?
Yes
No
beer batter
different ways to make beer batter
Can you tell us about
horses?
Yes
No
horses
how to build a horse fence gate
Can you tell us about
mousetrap cars?
Yes
No
mousetrap cars
how to build a mousetrap car
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditTips

  • When using treats for training, try to break up the food into smaller pieces. You will use a lot of treats in training and doing this will help them last longer and prevent the dog becoming overweight. It may be better to find healthier treats for your dog if it already has a weight issue or is likely to develop them - apples, green beans and carrots are all good alternatives for dogs.

EditWarnings

  • Don't expect your dog to learn a command after one session - be patient. A dog is like a toddler - each will learn at its own pace and may forget things it appeared to have learnt previously. Don't worry - consistent and regular training will eventually work.

EditSources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Merge | Dogs | In progress articles removed from NAB

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 53 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No