Dog Talking Buttons: My Training Journey Tips to Help Your Pup ‘Speak’

Training

Let me tell you about my journey training Charlie. It wasn't easy, and I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I learned a lot.

Watching Charlie go through this was heartbreaking.

dog
Image from Unsplash

maybe you’ve spent some time researching dog buttons and are eager to learn more.

We’re going to take a guess and assume you’re somewhat familiar with this concept and already know all about the benefits of dog buttons.

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Image from Pexels

However, just in case you’re new to these devices, dog buttons have taken the pet parent world by storm in recent years.

I felt so guilty when I realized what was happening.

puppy
Image from Pixabay

these useful tools are helpful for various reasons, but the general idea is that they can help your dog communicate their needs to you.

I felt so guilty when I realized what was happening.

dog food
Image from Unsplash

with your buttons ready, the task of training may seem daunting at first.

Teaching your dog to use these buttons requires patience.

In addition to positive reinforcement by offering a lot of rewards, the top training tip is to be ready for repetition.

Watching Charlie go through this was heartbreaking.

begin by teaching your dog simple words first.

To help your pup make an association, set your button near the location of the voiced request.

For example, if you’ve got a shelf or cabinet where your pup’s treats are located, maybe you place the button on the ground next to the cabinet.

I felt so guilty when I realized what was happening.

we’re all familiar with the adage, “monkey see, monkey do.” mimicry and modeling are among the most powerful tools in the learning process.

Before we dive in, you might wonder, “What is shaping?” Don’t worry — you’re not alone.

Although perhaps less well-known, shaping is a powerful tool in dog training.

Watching Charlie go through this was heartbreaking.

when using dog talking buttons, you’ll want to break down the overall goal.

I felt so guilty when I realized what was happening.

next, reward when your pup intentionally chooses to press the button.

Remember to keep the training sessions fun.

Not only will this help your furry friend grasp the concepts more quickly, but having fun with dog training can also help keep you engaged and motivated.

This was definitely a learning experience for me. Charlie depends on me to keep him safe, and I'm trying to do better every day.

Source: This article is based on information from DogTime

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