Teaching signals early ensures you can still communicate if your dog loses their hearing later in life.
| Command | Starting Position | Ending Position | Palm Direction | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Waist level | Up to shoulder | Up (Facing Sky) | | Down | Shoulder level | Down to waist | Down (Facing Floor) | | Stay | In front of chest | Extended forward | Out (Facing Dog) | | Come | Arm extended out | Sweep to chest | In (Sweeping Motion) | | Heel | By your side | Pat hip/thigh | Side (Contact) | | Stand | Waist level | Raise up | Up (Facing Sky) |
[Table – 3 columns] Command | Signal | Action --------|--------|------- SIT | Palm up, raise hand toward shoulder | Raise hand from side to shoulder level DOWN | Flat palm facing floor, lower hand | Move hand from chest to ground STAY | Open palm facing dog (stop gesture) | Hold hand out, fingers together COME | Arm sweep to chest | Extend arm sideways, then bring palm to chest HEEL | Pat hip/thigh | Tap your side at dog’s eye level STAND | Palm up, pull backward | Beckoning motion from chest toward body DROP IT | Closed fist | Hold fist in front of dog’s nose WAIT | Flat palm facing dog at waist level | Similar to stay but lower hand position basic dog printable dog training hand signals chart pdf
If you are creating a printable PDF, organize the data in a grid like the one below:
For almost all hand signals, your dog’s nose will follow your hand. If you want your dog to lower their body, lower your hand. If you want them to rise, raise your hand. Training becomes much easier when you realize you are essentially "driving" their nose, and their body will follow. Teaching signals early ensures you can still communicate
To help you keep these visual cues consistent at home, you can download and print high-quality charts from these reputable sources: Dog Hand Signals for Training: How to Use + PDF Chart
You can direct your dog from across a field where your voice might not carry. If you want them to rise, raise your hand
| Command | Hand Signal | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Palm facing up, raise hand | Start with hand at your side, palm up. Raise your hand toward your shoulder like you are offering a treat to the sky. | | DOWN | Flat palm, lower hand | Begin with palm facing the floor at chest level. Slowly lower your hand straight down toward the ground. | | STAY | Open palm, stop gesture | Hold your hand out in front of the dog’s face, palm facing them (like a traffic cop saying “stop”). | | COME | Arm sweep to chest | Extend arm out to your side at shoulder height, then sweep your hand dramatically toward your chest. | | HEEL | Pat your hip or thigh | Lightly pat your hip or thigh on the side you want the dog to walk on (usually left side). | | STAND | Palm up, pull back | Start with palm facing the dog at chest level, then pull your hand backward toward your body like beckoning. | | DROP IT / LEAVE IT | Close fist | Make a fist and hold it in front of the dog’s nose (like you are hiding something inside). | | WAIT | Flat palm, fingers up | Similar to STAY, but hold your palm facing the dog at waist level with fingers pointing up. |