If you want a way to communicate with your dog in noisy situations, or if you have a hearing dog, training it to respond to silent signals can be helpful.Silent signals are more effective than verbal signals, according to some people.Simple changes like using hand gestures to represent spoken commands, using positive reinforcement techniques to increase the effectiveness of silent signal training, and finding other ways to communicate with your dog can help to ensure that your training is a success.
Step 1: To teach, you have to choose a command.
Pick a single command to focus on with your dog so that he won't be overwhelmed.Basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, heel, come, and lie down are considered to be simple.These are important commands to teach your dog.
Step 2: In early training, use treats as lures.
By holding a treat in your hand, you can teach your dog to focus on you, which is important for hand signal training.The treat can be used to get your dog to move in a certain direction.Pick a favorite treat and hold it in your hand.If you want your dog to sit, you can raise the treat high into the air so that he can see it.If you want him to lie down, you can lower your hand to the floor.This will encourage your dog to get closer to the treat by sitting or laying down.As your dog learns, it's important to stop using treats as lures.Try giving the command with the same hand gesture, but without a treat, to see if your dog complies.You can use a laser pointer or flashlight to get your dog's attention.By pointing a laser at the ceiling, you can get your dog to sit.This may help teach commands like stay and come.
Step 3: Reward your dog when he complies.
When your dog does good behavior, it is important to mark it.The connection between the desired behavior and the reward may not be made by your dog.If your dog complies with your command to sit, you can mark the behavior with a physical gesture, such as clapping your hands and smiling.As your dog's bottom touches the ground, make sure to perform this gesture right.You should give your dog a treat or pet if you want to provide some additional reinforcement.
Step 4: The gesture should be repeated to reinforce the behavior.
Train the same command a few times.This will make sure that your dog understands the command.You can teach your dog a different command after a few sessions if he is a master of the command.Everyone in your household should use the same commands and techniques.Your dog may get confused.
Step 5: Bite-sized treats can be used.
If you want to keep your dog motivated and avoid giving him too many extra calories, you should choose treats that are small.You can cut the treat in half or quarters if it's large.Give your dog small rewards to keep him motivated.If he wanders off to enjoy his treat, he won't be interested in continuing the training session.Pea-sized treats add only a few calories and your dog will want more so he will probably be more willing to work.You can give your dog a single piece of dry food as a reward.
Step 6: As your dog learns, give fewer treats.
Reducing the amount of treats will help keep your dog motivated.If you don't give your dog a treat every time he obeys a command, the treats may become more like a bribe than a reward.Work up to only giving him a treat at the end of the session, if you want to give him treats every other time.
Step 7: The training sessions should be short.
Keeping training sessions short will ensure that your dog complies with your commands.If you train your dog too long, he might lose interest or become frustrated.If your dog has a short attention span, try to keep the training sessions around 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 8: Consistency with training sessions is a must.
It is important that your dog gets the most out of the training sessions.Try to train your dog every day.Training him every day will increase the effectiveness of the training because you don't have to train him in the same place.Training your dog in different rooms of your house as well as outside is a good idea because it will reduce the chance that he will associate the commands with a single location.
Step 9: When you take your dog out, make sure he is on a leash.
Dogs that can't hear can wander off or get into dangerous situations.If the environment is loud and busy, a dog with perfect hearing might wander off.If you want to keep your dog safe when you go out with him, make sure you keep him on a leash or inside of an enclosed area.You can still use a leash at the dog park.When there are so many things going on, it can be hard to communicate with your dog.
Step 10: It is possible to communicate with him using vibrations.
It is possible to get your dog's attention within your home.A different room in the house can be used to get your dog's attention.If you want your dog to come when you do these things, make sure you praise and reward him for coming.Purchase a vibration collar to get your dog's attention.When you push a remote control button, the collar vibrates gently.They can be found in pet stores.
Step 11: Touch your dog to let him know you are near.
It is a good idea to give your dog a gentle touch on the back.To touch your dog gently, pat him on the head or gently stroke his back.If you are about to pass your dog in the hallway, you might use gentle touch to alert him.
Step 12: Consider working with a dog trainer.
If you can't communicate with your dog, you should schedule a session with a dog trainer.A dog trainer can help you identify your dog's challenges and find ways to communicate more effectively with him.Try to find a trainer who knows how to work with deafness dogs.