Talking With Your Dog Using Button Boards

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m betting you’ve seen these button boards. Even mainstream media is on the bandwagon.

This new communication technique, developed by speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger, has opened new ways of understanding our dogs using structured, intentional communication methods.

How Do Button Boards Work: The Fundamentals 

Button boards consist of programmable sound devices that, when pressed, play pre-recorded words or phrases. These “buttons” give dogs a concrete way to express their needs, desires, and observations. Most practitioners begin with fundamental concepts such as “outside,” “play,” “water,” and “food,” gradually expanding their dog’s vocabulary as proficiency increases.

Training

The training process is pretty straightforward and, as with all training, just requires a methodical, patient approach. Success depends on:

  • Beginning with one to three high-value concepts
  • Consistent modeling of button use during relevant activities
  • Positive reinforcement of button interaction
  • Systematic introduction of new vocabulary
  • Maintaining fixed button locations and meanings

Documented Success Cases

There have been some pretty wild success stories that speak to the potential of this communication method:

Bunny: This well-documented case shows remarkable cognitive capabilities, including self-awareness and temporal understanding. Her interactions include complex queries about her environment and family members. She has asked “Who this?” while looking in a mirror and pressed “Mad Mom” when noticing her person was upset. She even asks, “When Dad home?” to check on her family’s schedule.

Stella: The original pioneer of button communication has demonstrated consistent, purposeful use of multiple-word combinations to express needs and observations. She regularly combines buttons in meaningful ways, such as requesting “Water outside” when wanting to play in sprinklers or expressing “Help mad” when frustrated with an inaccessible toy. Her routine of pressing “Love you” before bedtime and using “Bye outside” when ready to come indoors demonstrates consistent, intentional communication. She has even combined “Water outside” when she wanted to play in the sprinkler.

Other dogs have shown cognitive awareness by pressing “Ouch help paw” to signal pain or “Want outside different” when they prefer a new walking route. Some dogs even use buttons to express emotions. They say “Sad” when their humans leave for work or “Happy play” when they’re excited. Over time, many dogs progress from simple needs (“water,” “food”) to complex thoughts (“Later outside play” or “Dog want mom help”).

Scientific Context

The “They Can Talk” study, involving over 3,000 active participants, systematically documents and analyzes these interactions.

While this method doesn’t replicate human language, it provides a structured framework for enhanced interspecies communication.

Want to Try It?

If you’re curious about button communication, here’s how to get started:

  • Invest in sturdy, high-quality buttons that are easy to press.
  • Begin with just one or two buttons, typically for things your dog already asks for, like going outside or getting a treat.
  • Model the behavior by pressing the button yourself whenever the action happens. For example, press “outside” right before opening the door.
  • Reward your dog when they show interest in the button, even if they don’t press it perfectly at first.
  • Be consistent! Keep the buttons in the same place and always use them for the same action.
  • Add more buttons gradually as your dog gets the hang of it. Some dogs may eventually use dozens of words!
  • Be patient and consistent—learning takes time!

The effectiveness of button communication varies significantly among dogs, but when trained correctly and used properly, it can provide enriching mental stimulation and enhance the human-animal bond. This represents a fascinating development in our understanding of canine cognitive capabilities and the potential for structured interspecies communication.

What do you think? Have you tried them?

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