How to sign “Dogs” in ASL

Everyday Life

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Dogs” instead

Step by step

  1. Hold your dominant hand up near your side, shaped like a modified D.
  2. Snap your middle finger against the base of your thumb, landing in a G-like shape.
  3. Repeat the snap a second time in the same spot.
  4. Keep your palm facing forward and make the snaps small and crisp.
  5. Some signers pat their thigh first — that version is fine, but the snap is the core.

Practice tip

Plural of “Dog” — sign the base sign (often repeated) for more than one.

Fingerspell “Dogs”

Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

ASL handshape for letter DASL handshape for letter OASL handshape for letter GASL handshape for letter S

See all ASL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.

Browse all 1121 signs in the dictionary