Foreword: I like to use both hand signals and vocal signals. You never know when they can come in handy, like, if you want your Rover to be the next movie star.... well, we can dream, can't we?).

Directions: Teaching hand signals is easy. You can try teaching only hand signals from the beginning, although I have found it is hard to keep Rovers attention on you. The easiest method is simply first to teach the trick using a vocal command. Once this is achieved, simply do the hand signal every time you say the command. Rover will soon put the hand signal together with the vocal command and your job is done.

There are many hand signals you can use. Such as opening and closing your hand. Make up your own, I know you're creative enough! =)

But to get you started here are some examples:
Lots of thank you's go out to Lori for suggesting these!
1. For SIT, Lori uses 2 fingers (middle and index) with both hands. She then puts 2 fingers together onto the other 2 fingers. Alternatives to this could be using only the index finger on both hands, or just using one hand with the middle and index finger and bringing them together in a scissors motion. For my Rovers I raise my index finger.

2. For SPEAK, Lori uses one hand (all fingers except thumb, thumb is positioned on the palm). She then touches her index finger to her chin and moves her hand back and forth. For my Rovers I use the duck or sock puppet hand movement. This just involves touching all your main fingers to your thumb at the same time.

3. For DOWN, Lori has one arm in front of her (like a waiter put napkin over the arm). She then puts her other hand on her elbow and drags it to the palm of her hand. I use one hand palm down which I lower.

4. For GO POTTY, Lori uses one hand, and puts her thumb in between index and middle finger, and then moves her hand left and right gently.

These are just some examples that were so kindly written up for me by Lori. The list of hand signals really goes on indefinitely. You can spin a finger, give a thumps up, peace sign...etc. Just make sure the movement is clear and short. I also like to cheat and use hand signals which are very close to the actual trick. For example, using two fingers in a walking motion for crawl, a flat vertical palm forward for stop, a beckoning motion with one hand for move forward, and etc.

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