Serious, I got a few talk buttons set up for my 1 year old pup (as of yesterday). First button I taught was “Outside”. First it was treat training to teach him how to press buttons, which was very fast. Then I recorded “Outside” to one. Whenever he stood at the door, I’d press it, then open the door. Didn’t matter if he actually wanted to go out or not. Or I’d get him to press it with a treat, but his first reward was opening it before the treat. Very quickly (matter of days) he knew to hit the “Outside” button and I’d get up and open the door.
A common alternative to this is a bell at the door, but I wanted to teach some words.
“Play” was next. Then “Cuddle”. Then he’d.combo hit “Play cuddle” and realised that meant specifically rough housing. Then “Outside play” meant walk, so I made a button for that.
I think next is some harm ones like if he’s trying to say he has pain, plus some yes and no, then I think we’re good and both happier for it.
Seriously give it a go. It’s really not that hard.
Edit: Oh, and the best part is he knows the word “outside” means a door opens to go outdoors. So doesn’t matter where he is, outside means outside. Can be at a friend’s place, “Do you want to go outside?” he runs to a door, it opens, he goes and does his business.
I use bells on my door and my beagle uses them most of the time. Both of my dogs know what words mean and my beagle is very capable of communicating. It just took him time to learn how to tell me things. If I am unsure of what he wants, I tell him to show me, and he’ll walk to whatever he wants. Like the door or his food bowl.
Mate, that’s ruff. Ha!
Serious, I got a few talk buttons set up for my 1 year old pup (as of yesterday). First button I taught was “Outside”. First it was treat training to teach him how to press buttons, which was very fast. Then I recorded “Outside” to one. Whenever he stood at the door, I’d press it, then open the door. Didn’t matter if he actually wanted to go out or not. Or I’d get him to press it with a treat, but his first reward was opening it before the treat. Very quickly (matter of days) he knew to hit the “Outside” button and I’d get up and open the door.
A common alternative to this is a bell at the door, but I wanted to teach some words.
“Play” was next. Then “Cuddle”. Then he’d.combo hit “Play cuddle” and realised that meant specifically rough housing. Then “Outside play” meant walk, so I made a button for that.
I think next is some harm ones like if he’s trying to say he has pain, plus some yes and no, then I think we’re good and both happier for it.
Seriously give it a go. It’s really not that hard.
Edit: Oh, and the best part is he knows the word “outside” means a door opens to go outdoors. So doesn’t matter where he is, outside means outside. Can be at a friend’s place, “Do you want to go outside?” he runs to a door, it opens, he goes and does his business.
I use bells on my door and my beagle uses them most of the time. Both of my dogs know what words mean and my beagle is very capable of communicating. It just took him time to learn how to tell me things. If I am unsure of what he wants, I tell him to show me, and he’ll walk to whatever he wants. Like the door or his food bowl.