This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Necessary'. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Functional'. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Analytics'. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Since verbal commands cannot be heard, a physical cue is a way they can still learn to do specific behaviors on command.Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Notable exceptions to sticking to verbal commands in training are deaf dogs. Using some physical cues like a food lure can be a huge help early on in training, but they needed to be faded out relatively quickly so that the dog does not become reliant on them. When paired, physical cues will override verbal cues. Since dogs pick up on physical cues faster than verbal ones, if you use a verbal command paired with a hand signal for a command, your dog will be much more likely to associate the behavior with the hand signal only instead of with the verbal command as well. The hard part is making the dog understand that both the verbal command and the hand signal mean the same thing, even on their own. So now that we know the limitations of hand signals, why not teach both? Some people do just that. KC Dawgz offers a variety of class types from Puppy 101 to more advanced classes like Trick Dog and Nosework so that you can keep your dog challenged with new things. Not only do you get to practice with the help of professionals to address issues and questions along the way, but the other owners and dogs will be a great distraction to really push your dog’s understanding and attention. Things like group classes are wonderful to build upon reliability with commands. However, this issue can be overcome very, very quickly with a solid and consistent training routine. What about reliability? If a dog learns a hand signal more quickly, and that learning is strong enough to override a verbal command, are the trade-offs worth it? There may be some truth and benefit to that in the beginning when commands are still somewhat new. Again, a hand signal isn’t practical, but a verbal cue can be responded to. Another real-world example is if your dog is simply in another room of the house. In this situation, a clear, precise verbal command can be heard and understood by your dog. While your dog is chasing that squirrel toward the road, you have no way to command them to come back with hand signals. Most dogs are going to be distracted by things at some point, at least to a certain extent.

In a controlled training environment this is easier to achieve, but out in the real world, how can you be sure that your dog will be looking at you every time you want to give a command, and not the other dog across the street or the Frisbee flying through the park? A verbal command can be used as long as your dog is within earshot, no matter which way they are looking.

Any visual command is only useful if your dog is actively looking at you. While a hand signal or body cue is a quick way to learn, there are some practical limitations to relying on them. So, why do they use them, and should you use them with your dog?ĭogs will generally learn a hand signal faster than a verbal command. Many trainers and owners use some form of hand signal, although the exact signals used vary greatly. There is loads of research out there to show us that dogs learn very well from visual cues and body language.

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