So You Bought Talking Buttons, Now What? (Getting Started)

You only need one button to get started and we suggest it be a button for a word your pet is already familiar with. For example, “potty” is a good first word because it’s one that your pet should already recognize.

To start off, you would put that first button next to the place or activity that it represents. For “potty” you would put the button by the door that you and your dog exit through to take them “potty.”

You will spend time modeling this button for your pet. Every day when you take them out you will press the “potty” button before taking them out and then tell them in an excited tone, “potty! Let’s go potty.” You can do this for two weeks or a whole month. It really depends on your dog and how fast they become comfortable with the button.

During this time if your pet is not already acquainted with the command “touch” (where your dog touches your hand or a target with their paw) Then you will want to be teaching them the command “touch” as you model. 

Once your dog is comfortable with the button and knows their “touch” command you can then use the button as the target in a training sessions by asking your dog to “touch, potty.” Once they do, cheer, reward them with treats and let them know how proud you are!

Once your dog is comfortable pressing the button on their own for treats during training you can then ask them to start touching the “potty” button every day before you walk outside to take them “potty.”

With the introduction of each new button after, the process will be much quicker as your dog will realize that touching the buttons will get them what they want.

Get ready to purchase your first button set and start your fur babies communication journey!