Signs You Can Use to Train Your Deaf Dog

GOOD BOY	ASL sign for "I Love You"; one hand, index finger, pinky and thumb up, two middle fingers down
NO	"wagged" index finger
OUTSIDE	First two fingers of one hand, pointed down, "walking"
INSIDE	Both hands, form two sides of triangle with fingertips touching, like the roof
WALK	We use a sign for a leash - both hands, use first two fingers and interlock them
PLAY	This one is simple - a fist, represents a ball, which is what it can also stand for if that's what you want
WATER	I used this one to ask if he needs a drink, he doesn't always think to go get one when he's playing. It's the ASL sign for water - form a "W" with one hand and hold it to your mouth
GO	This one is just pointing in the direction you want him to go with a big sweeping motion
SIT	one hand, out in front of you, fingers together, palm up
DROP or lay down	same as "SIT", with palm down
ROLL	Do a rolling motion with one arm, usually the direction you roll your arm is the direction the dog will roll
DOWN	Simple - point down to floor or ground, works for the dog to get down or put an object down
SPEAK	Yes, deaf dogs do bark. Using one hand, all fingers together, like you are forming a mouth, then open them
TREAT	ASL sign for "eat", all fingers together, bring to mouth

His other signs - like our names, etc. are personalized and you can use any sign you like for those or any of these for that matter. Some of these are signs I picked up while researching and others we took from ASL or other dog training programs. However you do it, it is important to communicate with your deaf dog in some way and show him that he needs to keep eye contact with you in order to please you. We introduce new signs to Angus and he learns them very quickly even now.