Training Hand Signals?

[macey]

Hi, I'm new on here, and we've just become the proud new owners last night of Border Collie called Toby (or "Tickle" as my 2 year old has taken to calling him). He's just over a year old (they got him as a puppy in Nov 06, so not exactly 100% sure how old he is).

The people that we got him off, who for whatever reason decided to get rid of him (goodness knows why, he's a gentle loving dog that we've observed so far!!), told us he was trained with "hand signals".

She ran thru them quickly last night, however, apart from sit, we seem to have forgotten them. Is anyone able to point me in the right direction as to where I could find some information about these?

One thing we're also confused about too is that she was giving him a verbal plus hand signal command - and whilst hand signals may be good, how do they work if he's not looking at you?!

Thanks!!!!!

[Mystiqview]

Very hard to explain without diagrams.

But essentially all hand signals should be given with the flat of the hand. NO POINTING!!!!! Give the dog the best chance to see the hand signal. Pointing with one finger does not do this.

For all hand signals: DO NOT DO THEM VERY FAST.. Again give the dog a chance to see the signal

Drop: Flat of hand, palm facing dog. Infront of the dog's nose move the hand down in a chopping motion. I would start the hand signal at least 30cm or around your hip level to just below the dog's nose. As the dog gets to know the signal, then you can shorten the length of the chopping motion.

Stand: can be given using the left or right hand. I use my left hand (right hand has lead). Again palm facing the dog, it is like a swinging motion from infront of your body past the dog's nose to a brief stop.. Think of a Pendulum kinda motion without the backward swing to you.

Stay: Again palm of hand facing the dog. Think of shutting a gate. I use my Right hand for this one. From the RH side of my body in a sweeping motion to infront of the dog's nose. As if you are shutting a door or gate

Variation on Stay: If you are standing infront of the dog, your stay command, more becomes like giving a stop command. Palm of hand facing dog.

Sit: Is a scooping motion upwards. I would start about hip level and finish about shoulder level.

YOu may try a google search. It may bring up pictures. Some people give all hand signals with one hand. I use both hands as you can see from my explaination from above. In my case the lead changes hands to the hand that IS NOT giving the signal. YOur signals are best given unencumbered with a lead. Again it is giving a much clearer signal to the dog, and every chance they can of seeing it.

Edited November 9, 2007 by Mystiqview

[Erny]

Whilst you can try the universal hand signals, some people teach their dog the required responses to their own unique hand signal. Are you able to get in contact with Toby's previous owners and ask them to re-cap which signals they use for what?

If you can't and if Toby doesn't respond to your hand signals, in the absence of KNOWING whether you are giving the one to which he has been taught, you would need to presume you are using it differently (regardless of whether or not this might be the case) and would need to re-teach him as though it is a new hand signal.

Taking Toby to some training lessons might help YOU out ..... by the sounds of it, Toby doesn't need the tuition though.

Congrats on the new addition to your family. Sounds like a gem.