Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums banner

Hand signals

2K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  the_discowhore 
#1 ·
Ok, so we started hand signals in class. The instructor told me the down command was with the right hand and I just watched a video and the hand signal was given with the left hand. So which hand is which or does it matter? I am so confused!:confused:
 
#3 ·
A lady in my agility class (who does field trials with her golden) uses her right hand and does the "fist pump" kinda thing except she does it with palm to the sky.... "Raise the roof?" I hope that made sense....

Biggest thing is consistency, whatever you teach stick to it...
 
#4 ·
It doesn't really matter, whatever hand signal you decide on can come from whatever hand you want it too.
I made sure when I had to retrain mabel that all commands came verbally, silently, and off of both hands. This way no matter how I choose or have to say it I get the response I need. My down is a flat palm going down towards the floor, but again personal preference. It's one of those things that you seem to choose naturally, I've never thought about how do I want to tell her, I just start using my hand in what feels the most natural and direct way to convey it. Good luck! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Herb2relax
#5 ·
I also use my right hand. If my dog was on leash I'd have the leash in my left hand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Herb2relax
#7 ·
AKC rules do not describe or specify what signals are given to the dog. That said, AKC Obedience competitors know that you never want to make a judge have to think... you can get dinged for practically anything, so you want to conform to what the judge is probably used to seeing in the ring.
 
#9 ·
Left or right, could it be as simple as...what one is most comfortable with:
- if you where born left handed, use left hand to give dog signals
- if you where born right handed, use right hand to give dog signals
Just my guess, interesting thread.
 
#10 ·
if you have the intention of ever competing in utility, all signals with one hand is harder for a dog to discriminate because all the motions essentially start the same and it leads to a lot of unnecessary confusion when you start working at a distance. whatever hand you want to use is fine, i use my right arm for drops/downs, left for sit, and right for recalls. i also have a stand command with BOTH hands, depending on if i am in heel position (use the left) or in front of them (use the right). utility is always down, sit, come - and most people have too similar recall and down signals and its confusing for the dogs even up close. dogs can absolutely do it off one hand no problem, but its certainly EASIER to teach alternating hands.
 
#11 ·
I had to think about what hand I do use for signals. I think that if I'm beside the dog with the dog in heel position I always use my right hand. And I NEVER use any signal that involves wiggling fingers--it's a good way to get points taken off if you are competing seriously.
I use my left arm and hand for signals at a distance: down, sit, stand, come.

I alternate hands for a return to heel depending on whether I'm asking for a flip finish (right hand) or an around (left hand).

Hmmm--I just went and ran a dog through a stand command--seems that is the one exception to using my right hand for a signal for a dog in heel position--I DO use my left hand to signal stand.

I think I do all of this more out of habit than anything else--the first trainer I worked under trained that way and she had a lengthy explanation of why she wanted everyone to train using the right hand/left hand protocol but since that was 55 years ago if anyone thinks I remember the explanation--forget that. I now do it because it's worked with a lot of dogs over the years.
 
#18 ·
What I use to send my dog away is I point my finger at him and give it a swinging motion to go forward. While teaching him the command, from a heel (by my side) I would point at him, swing my hand out with my finger pointing in the direction saying "free" and he knows he can go about his own business. After numerous of times training it that way, i just use hands signs now with no verbal command and he listens, wheter its sit, down, come. heel etc. All of my commands are in Korean :)
 
#17 ·
depends on the dog :)
rah was "ball" to focus him on the spot and "go out" to send him.
berlin and cherry were "aim" to focus them and to send them i say "fire!"
 
#20 ·
I am trying to think ahead to working trials... Thanks for the suggestions guys! I already use "go" and "out" for other things, I think "aim" and "fire" is good for a sendaway!

Herb2relax, for a sendaway in UD/X obedience in NZ > Send away drop and recall: between 36–54 metres to a specific area using a natural marker

For WD/X obedience in NZ > Sendaway between 36–54 metres then a redirection to the right or left for a distance of 18 metres and drop with directed. Handler to recall the dog to sit in front of handler, and then finish with the dog sitting on the left side.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top