Tuesday Training Byte: Teaching hand signals

When I first started training dogs as a 12-year old kid, I used a book I checked out at the library by Rudd Weatherwax- the owner and trainer of Lassie. Rudd used hand signals so that he could control the dog while standing out of camera view. The easiest way to teach this is to pair the hand motion in the beginning as I use a food lure. I hold the treat in my open palm with my thumb as pictured. I show the dog the treat under my thumb and then motion where I want my pup to go. As soon as he moves that direction or into that position, I mark the correct behavior with "Yes!" and give him the treat. Dogs understand body language and gestures better than words. So as I begin, I am not giving a verbal command. After I repeat a hand motion a few times and the dog has caught on, then I pair the motion with the verbal command. In Rally competition, no food is allowed in the ring. Your hand cannot appear to be holding food either like most people would hold the treat between their index finger and thumb as pictured. So it is easy to use your open palm to direct your dog with no treat. As with verbal commands, be sure to be consistent. Do not drill your dog on the same lesson as that will only cause them to lose interest. If your dog doesn't immediately follow the food lure, try again with a bigger motion, making sure to treat your dog with enthusiastic praise as he figures out what you are asking. Although for obedience competition you will see many handlers use the identical hand signals, you can decide for yourself what motion seems intuitive so you will remember it. It is fun to show your friends how you can control your dog just with a hand movement. Happy training!

The correct way to use an open hand with a food lure

Incorrect. Using your hand in this position even without the treat may appear to the Rally obedience judge that you are using a food lure.