I can't really explain how this happened but it's been over the course of a few years - I've somehow managed to "train" (I guess?) my dog Ace to respond to a growing number of commands that consist solely of me snapping and then making a motion with my hand indicating what I want him to do. To get him to sit, I just have to snap. He shoots right down on his ass. To lay down, I snap and put my hand flat . To high five, I snap and put my hand out flat. Even if he's standing up, he'll sit and hit me wit'it. To get him to come, I snap and wave once towards myself. He'll stop what he's doing and come over immediately. There's others too. Has anyone ever done anything like this with their dog? I'd be curious to know what else I can get him to do. He's very intelligent, obedient and eager to please so he generally picks up on new things very quickly.
While my dog isn't as sophisiticated as your, she does respond to hand motions and snaps. She has two. A snap without a gesture is just a "no, leave it, stop it right now" (also works on boyfriend and kid). A snap and a wave is "sit." At the first stage I taught her by saying "Sit." Snapping and gesturing, and giving a treat. Once she got that then I stopped with the constant treats, and then i stopped saying sit and resumed the treats. Now she knows what I'm "talking" about. Just think up some more gestures and teach him. It sounds like he learns easily.