| | Hand Signal | Tip | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Watch me | Point two fingers at your own eyes, then toward the dog. | Use this before every other signal. | | Sit | Hold hand vertically, palm facing dog, then move hand upward (like a stop sign rising). | Start with treat above nose to lure. | | Down | Flat hand, palm down, slowly lower to floor (like pressing an imaginary button). | Lure with treat from nose to floor. | | Stay | Open palm (like “stop”) held in front of dog’s face. | Step back slowly; release with “free” signal.| | Come | Arms open wide (like a hug), then bring both hands toward your chest. | Use excited body language. | | OK / Free | Both hands open and sweep outward to the sides. | Releases from Stay. | | Leave it | Closed fist, then open hand away from dog (like dropping something). | Train with low-value items first. | | Drop it | Point to the floor in front of dog’s nose. | Trade for a high-value treat. | | Heel | Pat your thigh with one hand. | Reward when dog walks beside you. | | No | Finger wag (index finger side to side) or “X” hands crossed in front of chest. | Use only for safety (e.g., approaching road).| 4. How to Train Each Signal Step 1 – Capture attention (tap floor or wave). Step 2 – Lure the behavior with a treat in your signaling hand (e.g., for Sit: lift treat up). Step 3 – Add signal just before the lure. Step 4 – Fade lure to just the hand signal. Step 5 – Mark with thumbs-up or flashlight flick the instant dog performs the behavior. Step 6 – Reward with treat. Train 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily. Always end on success. 5. Printable Chart Layout (Text Version) You can make a simple wall chart with 3 columns: