Hand Signals for Deaf Dogs
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You need to use visual cues when training your deaf dog. You can make up any signal, as long as you are consistent. I use the standard obedience signals. Other signs you can use can come from American Sign Language or Sean Senechal’s K9 Sign.
Start with the Watch Me command. Tap their head to get their attention, then tap your face below one eye. As soon as they look you in the eye, praise/reward them. Always smile doing so. Make up a “good boy” sign. A thumbs up is a good sign. I would rub my heart as a “good boy” sign. Watch the Watch Me dog training video
Good Dog – Whatever you will always remember and what looks positive to dog. A thumbs up is pretty standard, and smile. I always verbalize when signing. You show more facial expression. You can use this sign to mark behaviors during training. A small light that flashes quickly can be used in place of a clicker for training purposes. A key-chain style light found at car stores works well.
Watch me – Important to train any dog. If they are not paying attention, most difficult to give signals to deaf dog. To start, sweep a cookie by her nose, and take it up to your eye level. Tap your cheek with finger. Soon all you’ll have to do is tap your face. Some stomp on the floor to get attention, or use a vibrating collar. Watch the Watch Me dog training video
Come – Standard open obedience gesture: with either arm extended out to the side of you, sweep toward your chest. Smile. Never call your dog to you to punish her. Always make coming to you a great experience. You can jackpot with treats to show how wonderful she is. (Jackpot=have 5 small treats in one hand and dole out one at a time quickly.) Watch the Come/Recall dog training video
Sit – Open palm on either hand, waist high, sweep upwards toward dog. Feel the energy flow from the hand to dog. It “pushes” the dog into a sit. When they follow your hand upwards, their head comes up, butt sits down. You can start it with the leash on and catch the leash on your way up to urge the dog to sit. Watch the Sit dog training video
Down – Either hand palm down to floor. Lower hand slowly. You may need to put the other hand on the rump. Have a treat in your hand as you lower it. Watch the Down dog training video
Stand – Have a treat in your right hand, and your left hand under the belly. Draw the treat laterally out from her face, and lift with other hand. You’re working up to moving your hand away from her face to lift her up into a stand. Watch the Stand dog training video
No – I “wag” my finger and shake my head with a scowl on my face.
Off – For jumping on you. A big sweeping gesture as if you’re wiping crumbs off the table.
Out – Either hand perpendicular to the floor and thrust in a forward motion. Use it to go out the door, move forward when heeling, down the stairs.
Easy – For taking treats. With a treat in a closed fist, rub your other hand over your fist. Wait til she nudges to take softly. Watch the Gentle Treat dog training video
Settle – Have dog down in front of you on leash with your foot on the leash with only a few inches of loose leash so he can’t get up. I use a signal for settle with my two hands palms down and “push” the air down. After the dog is down, and if he gets up, let him struggle, don’t touch or treat the dog. When the dog is settled, I again give the signal and do “good dog” to him so he knows he is doing the right thing.
Release – This is important for any dog to know. Once the command is given and the dog has obeyed, and you have praised, it is vital to release her from it. A standard method in obedience training is to throw your hands up in the air and “walk” out of the position. You can use the ASL sign for “finished” or “all done.” Watch the Release dog training video
Stay – Standard obedience gesture of open palm toward the dog. Is helpful to keep it up as “stop sign”. Watch the Stay dog training video
Potty – It’s a convenience for you to have your dog trained to potty on command. When you take him out start using a signal. Most dogs circle to get ready to poop. You could make a wide circle with palm down.
Leave it – This command is used to keep dog away from objects on the ground, other dogs, anything you don’t want the dog to go after. My signal is quickly sweeping my right hand over my left forearm from elbow to hand. Watch the Leave It dog training video
Drop it – OK, so he took the object. Either hand extended toward dog, palm down flip hand over quickly to palm up. Can then take object out of mouth; eventually dog should drop it in the open palm.
Quiet – Finger to the lips. Shhhhhhh!!!!
Eat – Any signal that you want. I use all 5 fingers on one hand to my lips and point to the bowl.
Cookie – I realized how excited my hearing dogs get when I say “cookie” so wanted Spirit to feel that also. Form right hand into big letter “C”.
Ball – Closed fist
Toy – Standard “time out” big T signal and point to or give toy.
Go to bed – Hands in praying gesture next to face. Watch the Settle in Place dog training video
About the Author
Diane has professionally trained dogs in obedience, agility, and freestyle dog dancing for more than 20 years in Florida and Colorado. Her dogs have competed and have earned titles in AKC and NADAC agility, Obedience, and Flyball.