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So it has been really interesting teaching our puppy how to use voice recorded buttons to communicate with us. It was very clear when we got her that she was exceptionally smart, like I taught her how to shake in 30 min smart and we thought we would give this a try.
We have 4 buttons - TREAT - OUTSIDE - HUNGRY - PLAY. A lot of people who use the buttons have them all in one place on a board or something, I suggested that we place the buttons where she would use them normally. Hubby agreed and we moved forward.
The HUNGRY button is by her food bowl.
The OUTSIDE button is next to the back door.
The PLAY button is next to her toy bin.
The TREAT button is next to where we keep treats.
The OUTSIDE button is next to the back door.
The PLAY button is next to her toy bin.
The TREAT button is next to where we keep treats.
We figured TREAT would be the easiest - she REALLY likes treats so we started with that one. I was pretty nonchalant about it generally, we had a dog we trained SO much it kind of ruined the fun of it and I didn't want to do that with Bergen.
So we started pretty easy, by simply pressing the treat button every time we gave her a treat. Same with the other buttons, we hit the button before letting her out, hit the hungry button before feeding her etc.
One day she pressed the outside button - we are pretty sure by accident, but we jumped into action right away & let her out. She didn't even have to go, but I could see the gears turning - she had made US do something. She was into it.
We then started making her touch the button before she could get a treat - any action towards it was good enough. She started touching it almost immediately and of course getting lots of treats.
I really felt if we made the connection between pushing the button & getting a treat, the other buttons would easily happen. BOY was I right. BUT making the connection between just touching the button and pressing it hard enough to make it say TREAT was frustrating for her.
So for touching the button she would get a small training treat. When she made it actually SAY TREAT - she would get a bigger treat. Once we saw she was getting the differentiation down, we pulled back the touch the button option. Treats only for making the button talk now.
Within 2 days of that breakthrough - she starting hitting the OUTSIDE button at the door to go out. And shortly after that the HUNGRY button to ask for food. The PLAY button isn't getting much action b/c honestly, she plays constantly so we may change that one to another command
Of course - we are doing more treat runs now because she LOVES to push that damn button. But now when she whines or clearly wants SOMETHING we say "use your words" or "go press your button" and she'll pause, then go press one of these damn buttons.
She had really taken to being able to communicate with us so easily and because we both work from home, it's great. We will both be in the office and hear OUTSIDE or HUNGRY randomly which is hilarious.
Her 2nd training session ever.
The next day...
Button break thru day! As you can tell we were more excited than she was Lololol.
Bergen has her own pool. She likes to take an after dinner dip most evenings followed this dramatic flop! Lol. I should add that she blows bubble in the water which I really need to catch on camera one day. It’s hilarious
Here are the buttons we are using.
And yes she’s on TokTok - and IG. Same name for both: bergenboop
G’night all!
