Teach two distinct head movements with different hand signals. These tricks do not show that a dog understands questions.
Choose an easy start
Blue Cross recommends minimal distractions initially and pausing when learning becomes difficult. Keep practice voluntary and reward-based.
Build the nod
Following the AKC's paired head-movement exercise, slowly move a closed food fist up and down. Reward following it with a nod. Once that is consistent, use an empty fist and reward from the other hand. Gradually reduce the moving gesture, working towards the fist itself as the signal.
Give the sideways movement another signal
Use a different presentation, such as a fist with the index finger raised. Move it slowly side to side; praise and reward the head following. With practice, reduce the movement towards that distinct hand signal.
Reward the response you observed
Battersea emphasises prompt reward timing. Identify the movement that happened before rewarding, rather than treating an unrelated response later.
Do not interpret either gesture as consent or a health assessment. Our nose-target lesson teaches a separate contact.
