Hi-

I was just wondering how many of you do/don't use hand signals w/verbal commands when training your dog? I have a 3 mo old GSD pup, and every other dog I've ever "trained" (I use that term loosely - LOL), I worked out of training books. I have only taught the learning phase, and never the correction or distration phases, as I was just a kid goofing around at the time, teaching a dog to sit or whatever. This time I am truly "training" a dog (will follow through w/all three phases). Also, this time I discovered the Leerburg site and am using the Puppy 8 wks/8 mos DVD, as well as the Basic Obedience Training DVD. Anyway, Ed's method of training is different (read "better") than the books I've read). All of the books have instructed that you use specific hand signals w/your verbal commands, but Ed doesn't seem to emphasize this in his DVD's. So I'm wondering, if you are training a pet vs. a working dog, is it better to use both verbal and hand commands? Or just verbal? Or does it really matter? Just curious. Right now I'm still using hand and verbal, but sometimes my hands are full and I can't use the hand signal, which seems sort of redundant anyway.

Thanks for your input!

You mention you are training "w/all three phases". If this means you are going to train in the sport of schutzhund don't use hand signals. You need verbal commands and if you do both you will be faulted for double commands each time you do it. I never use hand signals, but schutzhund is my sport of choice so I can't advise with regards to AKC stuff or ring sport.

I started out using just verbal and have added hand signals for certain commands. My dog is a "pet" and won't be doing any sort of competition.

Pretty sure she means the leraning, correcting and proofing stages.

But many don't know about the Rules of Schutzhund

I find myself using hand signals all the time, but not really for the formal stuff. Things like "back up" and "over there." Just my old habits.

Oh yeah, AKC OB requires hnd signals only (as in no voice) in the upper levels, but it is so easy to reintroduce them that it doesn't matter too much now. The hand signals tend to be kinda left over from the "learning phase," so if he's to be just a pet, use 'em!

Yes, sorry. I did mean the learning, correction and distraction phases of training. I don't know the first thing about Schutzhund. LOL! Thanks for your input!

I've always used both from day one. And, since she's only a pet, it's worked out well because she is now, at 12, a bit hard of hearing.

Pat

Dogs are much more visual then verbal. For this reason it's easier to teach hand signals then verbal commands. If the hand signals are taugh first, it's harder to switch over to verbal.
One of my daughters is an interpreter for the hearing impaired. She had a Border Terrier x JRT that she taught all it's commands with her hand signing. Facinating to watch but I always said it was just her way of flippin the old man the bird without me knowing what the he(( she was saying. LOL!