[BrianH]

So i decided to see if i could get my dog to sit when i show the palm of my hand, after about 5 mins working with him (hes a 5 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier) he now sits all the time.

I put it to the test when he was playing with the kids and i put my hand out and he just sat down, and again when he was running from one end of the yard to get to me i put my palm out and he sat down immediately, without jumping on me like he always does. Gotta love my Staffy!

[tet tea]

I trained my two with an upward motion of my hand as the signal for sit. When I say "no" it's the index finger with the one right next to it of my right hand, set in a direct forward motion. Hope I explained that ok! "Down" is the palm of your hand thrust downwards.

[jmarkey]

The last dog I went through obedience training with is 13, so it's been awhile. But at the time, all commands were taught accompanied by hand signals. Part of the drill in class was to have him go through all his commands using hand signals only.

You'd be surprised how many times this comes in handy (so to speak).

[Katie1]

I agree with all but just make sure you use the correct hand signal for the correct comand & you are cosistant..ever thought of doing obedience with him?

[rambrush]

we took our 2 through obiedence traing and we used bith hand and voice. It was explained that if the dogs become deaf or hard of hearing they will respond plus if in traffic or noisy areas it works as well

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Katie1

I agree with all but just make sure you use the correct hand signal for the correct comand & you are cosistant..ever thought of doing obedience with him?

You can use whatever signal you want, as long as you are consistently using the same ones for each behavior...maybe if you plan on doing competition obedience there might be some standard, but as long as you and your dog both know what you mean, anything works.

I agree that hand signals are really handy. Sometimes when my dogs are really excited (usually there is a frisbee or a body of water involved) they seem to forget to listen, but the hand signals I have used for 'drop' and 'back up' still work!

[Katie1]

I agree turtle, but his pup is only 5 months old. Later if he decides to do obedience trails it woul be confusing to the dog. Never say never my sheltie was nine years old when I decided to trail her [CD title in 3 trails both AKC & UKC]

[BrianH]

Im just using whatever works. Like Turtle said, there is no specific hand signals for everything, just whatever works. And its working :S Ive got him to "Leave It" when it comes to food too.

[Katie1]

Good training..do consider doing obedience those dogs have such a bad rep anything good would help the breed.

[BrianH]

I couldnt care less about what the media puts out Katie. Ive had a Staff (this is my second) for years and i wouldnt put any breed ahead of it when it comes to behavior.
The only people worth listening to when it comes to dog behavior
American Kennel Club - Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog dogs puppy puppies

Temperament
From the past history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the modern dog draws its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. This, coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog.

Ive not seen a Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacks news story yet. In fact, i know alot of the 'Pit Bull' beahaviour probs reported by the media are bogus too, because anythng short, wheter pure or mutt, is considered a pitbull.