If dogs could talk, what would they tell us? If you guessed “Ball. Walk. Play.” you’d be right. If you remember Easy buttons, these work the same way. They’re ordinary plastic buttons, but instead of “that was easy,” they say preprogrammed words that apply to dogs: food, potty, toy — you get the idea.
If that sounds silly to you, wait until you see them in action. These examples prove how cool (and highly entertaining) it is to teach your dog how to communicate with words.
Dog Talking Buttons Started as a Goofy Trend
Like most things these days, the craze started with TikTok. Dog owners recorded funny messages on the buttons and recorded their dogs demanding treats like a boss.
Some of the dogs even learned to swear.
Dog Talking Buttons Are Easy to Use
No one has 150 buttons lying around, but it’s possible to work your way up to a few dozen as your pup learns. Just start with a couple so your dog doesn’t get confused.
Once they get the hang of tapping two different buttons, add two more. Wait until they’ve mastered those, and keep going from there.
Training Consistency Is Key
If your dog doesn’t get the hang of it right away, don’t give up. Mastering any skill takes repetition.
Use small treats as an incentive, and keep sessions short. If your dog is getting frustrated or distracted, end the session and try again later.
Beware: Your Dog Might Throw Shade
How do you know when your dog is getting it?
Oh, don’t worry. You’ll know.
Sometimes, Dog Talking Buttons Are Heartbreaking
What’s really cool is that dogs can share their feelings in a way we can interpret more easily. This poor pup got shut out of their owners’ bedroom.
Instead of ripping up the trash, they announced that they were sad, whilst gazing longingly at the bedroom door. We hope they were rewarded with all of the bacon.
Most of the Time, They’re Hilarious
This should come as no surprise since dogs have exactly zero chill and zero shame, but dogs have no filter, either. If they are given the vocab for it, they will not hesitate to request gourmet feline feces for dinner.
Sorry, Piper. Cat poupon is not on the menu.
And the Information Pet Parents Learn Is Fascinating
Both dogs and cats are intelligent enough to learn to recognize each button based on the words written on them. They’re not actually reading them, of course, but they can memorize what each word looks like, similar to kindergarteners memorizing sight words.
Over time, they can learn tons of useful words that they can use to carry on rudimentary conversations.
This Is About as Close as We Can Ever Hope to Get to Animal Communication
Sure, dog talking buttons don’t function like the collar Dug wore in the movie “Up,” but it lets you talk to your dog with about as much fluency as one could use with a toddler.
Dogs can speak using buttons better than most of us can speak in the foreign language we took in high school.
Even If It Results in Some Arguments
The training process takes patience. Depending on your pet’s breed and individual temperament, you might meet some resistance. Huskies, for example, tend to take offense.
We can’t blame them. This husky, named Moon, can clearly speak well without a single button, and he does not appreciate the implication that he needs assistance.
As Well as Some Brutal Honesty
You might be surprised how your dog uses the buttons once they master them.
This one likes to share their opinion about their fur sibling.
For the Most Part, Dog Talking Buttons Are a Super Cool Training Tool
With practice, dogs can learn to both ask for what they want politely and to say thank you.
We’re not sure if they know what thank you actually means, but it’s a fun party trick.
Like, How Is This Not Cool?!
Dogs seem to like the talking buttons once they get used to them.
Finally, they can tell us not only that they want a treat, but also which one they’re craving.
They Can Bring You Even Closer to Your Pet Than You Already Are
Listening to your pet is intuitive.
You can tell when your dog loves you just by their body language, but there’s something extra special about hearing them say it out loud.
Teaching Your Dog To Use Dog Talking Buttons Is Easier Than You’d Think
You don’t need an expensive set of buttons to try it out. While a full dog vocab set is on the pricier side, a starter set is only about $20.
Would you like to give it a go? We’re actually a little scared to know what our pets really think of us.