Talk with Your Hands

Hand Signals

Hand signals are the primary means of communicating commands to deaf dogs. The training methods and time involved are no different than teaching a hearing dog, as all dogs learn through repetition. When two dogs meet, even if they bark or growl, their primary means of communication is through scent and body language. If your dog is hearing-impaired, his powers of observation have been put to great use in watching you and his world so there is no impediment to obedience training.

Hand signals can complement your training, giving you a way to communicate with your dog in situations where he can't hear you but can see you. These signals are just another form of "language" between you and your dog. Training your dog to recognize hand signals is best started once your dog is already responsive to your voice commands.

To begin, combine the familiar command word with the hand signal; your dog will soon learn to associate the signal with the command and with practice will respond to either the silent or verbal cue.

Dog Fact
If your dog is excited, he won't listen well. It has been found that even in an excited state, a dog will more frequently respond to a hand signal than to a verbal cue.

Be consistent and make the training fun. Exercise as much as possible. Tired dogs listen better.