Research indicates that dogs process visual information faster than auditory information. A study published in the journal Animal Cognition suggests that dogs rely more on visual cues than verbal cues when the two are placed in conflict. This is likely an evolutionary trait; silence is often safer in the wild than barking.
There are several types of hand signals used in dog training, including: dog training hand signals pdf
Hand signals are distinct and precise. Verbal commands can vary in tone, volume, and clarity (e.g., saying "Siiiit" vs. "Sit!"). Hand signals remain consistent, reducing confusion for the dog. and clarity (e.g.