Should I choose hand commands for dogs or verbal cues?

These communication systems aren’t mutually exclusive. We suggest adding a hand signal to verbal commands at the beginning of the dog training process. This will improve your communication with the dog and help them master the commands faster.

What are the most common hand signals for dog training?

The most popular hand signs for dogs are those reinforcing basic obedience commands. Most owners teach the dogs to respond to hand signals for sit, down, come, stay, and the nose target command.

Are dog hand gestures effective?

Dogs are visually oriented, so they process body language better than words. As a result, hand signals can be even more efficient than verbal cues. However, the combination of both ensures the most responsive reaction to commands.

How many hand gestures can a dog understand?

Many studies suggest that dogs can process up to 250 words and gestures, which is close to the comprehension level of a two-and-a-half-year-old child.

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12 Hand Signals for Dog Training - Free Chart

Dog Training

List of Dog Commands and Hand Signals

Woofz Team

Updated on | November 21, 2025

Reviewed by

Frederica Caneiro

Dog hand signals are an indispensable part of dog training for owners and professional trainers. Verbal cues certainly play a huge role in communicating with dogs. However, dogs' language understanding is limited compared to their ability to read nonverbal cues and body language. That is why hand gestures have become a powerful tool for effective human-canine communication.

This guide gives you valuable tips and tricks for training hand signals. In addition, we provide pictures of hand signals for dog training to give you a better idea of what the gestures should look like.

Basic list of dog commands and hand signals

Here are some of the essential dog hand signals that every dog owner should know:

Sit

The dog hand signal for sit is among the most popular hand signals for dog training. With your palm facing up, raise your hand above your dog's head and slowly move it backward. This gesture signals your dog to sit.

Down

With your palm facing down, sweep your hand to the ground. This signal indicates your dog should lie down.

Stay

Hold your palm facing your dog, and say "Stay" while stepping back. This signal tells your dog to remain in its current position.

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No

Hold your hand, palm facing your dog, and firmly say "No". This gesture warns your dog to stop what they're doing.

Come

Open your arms wide and say, "Come". This signal invites your dog to come to you.

Heel

Hold your hand at your side, with your palm facing your leg. This signal prompts your dog to walk alongside you.

Stand

Hold your hand, palm facing your dog, and say, "Stand". This signal prompts your dog to stand on all fours.

Drop it

Play with your pup so that they grab the toy with their teeth. Next, stop playing the game and say, “Drop it”. Or show them another toy or a treat, and they'll likely drop if your dog doesn’t do that within a few seconds after stopping the game.

Dead

Point your finger at your dog and say "Bang" or “Boom”. This gesture prompts your dog to lie down on their side.

Look at me

Call your pup’s name. Once you have their undivided attention and they look at you, praise and give a treat by pulling your hand with the treat to your chest. Wait till your doggo looks at you intently. Repeat this 10-20 times daily until the achieved result.

Quiet

Hold your index finger to your lips and shush your dog. This signal tells your dog to stop barking or making noise.

Leave it

Hold your hand, palm facing your dog, and say, "Leave it." This gesture signals your dog to leave whatever they're interested in alone.

Using these hand commands for dog training, you can communicate more effectively with your furry friend, making day-to-day interactions smoother and more enjoyable.

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Why Should You Teach Your Dog Hand Signals?

Hand commands for dogs provide a clear and consistent means of communicating with your dog, regardless of the noise level or distractions in the environment. Thus, when walking your dog outside, you may often find yourself in a noisy area where a dog fails to hear your verbal cues. You may replace the commands with hand signals to effectively guide your dog in a desired behavior.

Hand signals can also come in handy for those who own senior dogs. Many dogs develop hearing issues as they get older. If your deaf dog is familiar with hand signals, you can alternate communication methods to improve dog obedience with hand signals.

Finally, hand signals help your dog understand you better. Just like humans, dogs get information not only from spoken words. They consider our tone of voice, body position, and gestures. That’s why pairing a hand signal with a command can make it easier to convey the message and facilitate communication between a dog and their owner.

That’s a Wrap

Teaching hand commands for dogs is a handy tool that smoothes communication between you and your friend. These visual cues help when verbal commands might not be heard or confuse your dog, such as in noisy environments or from a distance. Don’t hesitate to teach your pooch the commands. It's not only handy but fun!