How Do Talking Dog Buttons Work?
Tips for Using Dog Talk Buttons Not modeling enough is the biggest mistake you can make when trying to teach your dog how to use talking buttons, says Devine. She explains that, if you want the dog to press the button, they need to see you pressing the button. Here are more tips for using talking dog buttons: Go slow: Every dog is different, and it may take many weeks for a dog to even seem interested in the buttons. Keep them together: A centralized location for the button board is recommended, preferably where your dog tends to hang out. Pay attention: Don’t ignore your dog’s other means of communication, such as body language and vocal cues. You’re not changing how your dog communicates—you’re just adding another option, should your dog be interested. Don’t force it: Never force your pet to push the buttons by picking up their paw and putting it on the button. Have fun with the process: Your dog may enjoy it, or it may not be their cup of tea. And that’s OK! Even without a button board, you have a rich communication system with your dog. Exploring the world of buttons, at the very least, will provide mental enrichment for your pup, and the increased methods of communication can help strengthen your human-animal bond. Products to try: Hunger for Words Talking Pet Button Mat Mighty Paw Smart Bell,The following content may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. Dogs have a lot to say, and they communicate through body language, facial expressions, and vocal signals like whines, growls, grunts, and barks. But wouldn’t it be convenient to add the English language to the list of ways dogs can express what they want and how they feel? This is where talking dog buttons come in. You may have seen the dog Bunny and her talking buttons on TikTok or Instagram and wondered if your dog could learn to talk using buttons. Here’s everything you wanted to know about this new way of canine communication—because who wouldn’t want to have a conversation with their dog? What Are Dog Talk Buttons? The buttons are based on alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices that give non-verbal people a way to communicate. The sound boards for dogs have circular buttons with words on them, each pre-recorded to say the word when pressed. Let’s say your dog wants to go outside. The idea would be that your dog could press the “Outside” button with their nose or paw to go out in the yard or the “Walk” button to ask to go for a walk. Of course, it takes training for a dog to learn to use the buttons and what each button means.
