Hand Signal Training

Anyone have any tips on working hand signals on my pup? “Over” command is easy, but there has to be a better way for the “back” command! Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Back is the first thing I taught my dog, and what I consider the easiest. If you are working on handling, I assume the dog will do a remote sit. Send the dog straight out on a blind. After the dog has picked up the birds and is coming back, have him sit before he gets back to you. Walk up there and take the dummy from him. Back up to your original position with the dog not moving. Throw the dummy over the dogs head and back to the original pile. At this point the dog should still be sitting between you and the dummy, so raise your hand and give them a command to pick up the dummy.

I hope this helps, but it is hard to give advice because I don’t know exactly where the dog is at.

Back is the first thing I taught my dog, and what I consider the easiest. If you are working on handling, I assume the dog will do a remote sit. Send the dog straight out on a blind. After the dog has picked up the birds and is coming back, have him sit before he gets back to you. Walk up there and take the dummy from him. Back up to your original position with the dog not moving. Throw the dummy over the dogs head and back to the original pile. At this point the dog should still be sitting between you and the dummy, so raise your hand and give them a command to pick up the dummy.

I hope this helps, but it is hard to give advice because I don’t know exactly where the dog is at.

Two thoughts: 1) always use the “back” command when sending him for a retrieve in that position. 2) play “baseball” where the dog sits on the pitchers mound or just in front of you, you stand on on home, and you have a dummy on each base. It’s a great exercise.

Edit: If you’re just asking on the hand signal itself, I put my hand straight up, palm open and towards him.

Two thoughts: 1) always use the “back” command when sending him for a retrieve in that position. 2) play “baseball” where the dog sits on the pitchers mound or just in front of you, you stand on on home, and you have a dummy on each base. It’s a great exercise.

Edit: If you’re just asking on the hand signal itself, I put my hand straight up, palm open and towards him.