How do I teach my dog to speak with buttons?

Talking dogs? You must think we’re barking mad, but it’s totally possible (well, sort of). Sure, you and your four-legged friend will have found your own ways to communicate, but getting to the bottom of their wants and needs is actually as simple as the press of a button. You don’t have to be a dog whisperer to turn your canine companion into a complete chatterbox; if you’ve ever wondered what your furry friend would say if they could talk, read on to find out how dog talking buttons work and how to teach your dog to speak.

What are dog talking buttons? 

Talking buttons for dogs are pre-recorded with words and sounds that play when the button is pressed. Over time, our pooch pals can be taught to understand that the sound coming from the button is linked to an action or object - for example, they will learn to associate the word “walk” with you picking up the leash and taking them outside. This can be very exciting for pet parents and dog sitters, as the average pup can be taught a whopping 165 words over time. So how do you get started?!

How to teach your dog to speak

Training your furry friend to use talk buttons for dogs is all about patience and consistency. 

1. First of all, you’ll need to record the words you want to use as the cues. Your first words for dog buttons should be short, clear, and easy to pick up - start with a few your pup's already used to hearing such as “walk”, “potty”, or “play”. Make sure everyone in the household sticks with the chosen words from the get-go to avoid any confusion - once your furry friend has learned that a sound matches a certain action, it will be difficult for them to unlearn it. 
2. Next, position your dog buttons in areas associated with the action or object to make it easier for your fur bud to create the link. For example, the button for “potty” could be kept by the back door if that’s where your furry friend usually goes to do their business.
3. Once you’re all set up, demonstrate pressing the button to your pooch pal. Immediately follow the verbal cue with the linked action or object so your pooch can begin to make these connections. For example, if using the word “walk”, press the button then pick up their leash and take them outside.
4. As your four-legged friend begins to get their head around the cues and their meanings, they’ll attempt to mirror what you do. Initially, they might whine or paw at the button instead of pressing it, indicating they’re getting the idea of what the button signifies. When this happens, show them again how to press the button and immediately follow it with the related object or action. 
5. Be sure to reward your pooch promptly with the object or action linked to the cue each time they successfully press the button - delaying the reward could lead to confusion. 

Tips for dog button training

As well as following the above steps, here are some tips for success when using buttons for dogs to talk. 

1. Start small: Dogs can learn up to 165 words, but not all in one day! Start with just one word and make sure your furry friend’s got the hang of it before adding in any more. 
2. Slow and steady wins the race: Keep training sessions short, and if your pup's losing interest, it’s best to step back and try again another day.
3. Be consistent: Practice these cues daily to reinforce them in your furry friend’s brain.
4. Eliminate distractions: Keep your dog buttons in accessible areas - if they’re hidden amongst toys, your buddy is less likely to use them. 
5. Rewards: While tasty treats are the go-to reward for positive reinforcement training, it’s best to avoid them when teaching your dog to speak with buttons. Unless you have a “treats” button, rewarding your pup with food could lead them to associate every button with food rather than the intended action or object. 
6. Be patient: Your furry friend can’t be expected to pick up everything immediately. 
7. Keep it fun: Your pooch pal won’t want to train if it’s stressful for either you or them, so make sure everyone’s having a good time. 

The best dog talking buttons 

If dog talking buttons sound like they’d be right up your pup’s street, how do you go about getting your paws on some? While you can technically buy any recordable buttons to teach your dog to speak, FluentPet’s dog talk button kits are particularly popular with pet parents. These buttons are joined together with hexagonal tiles, which make it easier for pups to press them without knocking them over, allowing your four-legged Einstein to truly “speak” their mind. Ofvens offers a more basic set of dog buttons, which are simple to use and allow you to record and re-record your verbal cues with ease. Finally, Hunger for Words, set up by speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger, offers everything from high-quality starter sets to a talking pet doorbell! 

So, if you can teach your four-pawed pal to speak using talking dog buttons, what else can they learn? Obedience training? Walking on a leash? Recall? From mastering tricks to understanding complex commands, your pup’s possibilities are endless!