Using Hand Signals During Labrador Training

Every time one mentions labrador training, what comes into mind most of the time is a dog owner training his dog using verbal commands. But while this method is indeed the most widely used, an owner can also choose to use hand signals to further increase the odds of getting positive training outcome. Apart from that, using hand signals is beneficial if the pet is affected by some kind of hearing difficulty.

For added enlightenment, here are the reasons justifying the use of hand signals:

- Dog breeds with wonderful work ethics and even temperament like the labrador retriever are popular working dogs. They make great disabled-assistance dogs and are used in search and rescue missions and in illegal detection. Teaching a dog with hand signals will let him identify what the plan of action is without making a sound and makes communication easy if you're working in a noisy atmosphere.

- Despite your effort to keep your pet near you most of the time, he may possibly run away especially if he spots something interesting on the other side of the road - a fashionable poodle, a barking chihuahua, waste can, squirrel or anything that has captured his attention. The situation can be dangerous but if he is trained to respond to hand signals, you can be at ease knowing that you can tell him what to do even if he is away.

- Hand signals can be used to highlight many labrador training commands. Like for example if you are training your lab to stay, placing your hand (palm facing out) in front of his snout can help him understand what he needs to do. Additionally, outstretched arms and inviting look may mean "come" while an extended arm with palm facing down, forming a parallel position with the ground can be used to signal "down".

- Through the use of hand signals, your dog will focus more on you to determine the following command. He's less likely to look around and possibly lose focus should he see something that can divert his attention from training.

- Because of their floppy ears that trap moist air, labrador retrievers can be susceptible to ear infection and if not treated promptly, may result in serious hearing problems. Hand signal is particularly useful to dogs with hearing-related problem.

There are many hand signals one can use during labrador training. Use them properly and watch your labrador retriever transform into a well-behaved pet you have been dreaming about.