Dogs Learn to Talk with $28 Buttons, Says Expert

Understanding the Concept of Speech Buttons for Pets

Unless you live off the grid, chances are, you’ve seen videos of pet owners “talking” with their animals using speech buttons on social media platforms. These videos are adorable and nothing short of impressive. Typically, a person asks their dog a question, and the dog responds by pressing a button that vocalizes a pre-recorded word or phrase.

It’s not telepathy, and no, you don’t need a degree in speech pathology to talk to Fido. In fact, teaching a pet to use speech buttons is easier than it looks. According to Dr. Learn, a V.M.D. and board-certified veterinary behaviorist at Virginia’s Animal Behavior Wellness Center, speech buttons are meant to provide a way for a dog or cat — or any animal — to communicate with us using the same words we use.

We know that our dogs understand words, right? So what we’re trying to do now is use these buttons to teach them that they can choose to communicate with us — that they can use our words.

Several pet owners have shared their experiences with using speech buttons with their pets, often using a popular speech-button set available on Amazon for under $30.

Before you write off speech buttons as too time-consuming or complicated, here’s how they work:

How Speech Buttons Work

Give yourself (and your pet) some credit! Dogs are sentient beings that have likes, dislikes, feelings, and preferences. More importantly, they understand many of our words. If they couldn’t, how else would they recognize the words “treat” and “outside?”

As Dr. Learn explains, it all comes down to association: “If a dog recognizes a word and can operate the button, they can press it to ‘say’ something to us — and they know we’ll respond, because we share a mutual understanding of what that word means.”

Dr. Learn recently picked up a button starter kit from FluentPet, a popular speech-button brand co-founded by Alexis Devine — best known for using these buttons with her dog Bunny. While Bunny can string together complex sentences using multiple buttons, that level of communication comes from building a strong foundation over time.

Getting Started with Speech Buttons

For beginners, it’s best to start small. An 8-pack of speech buttons allows you to record your own words and phrases. They’re also color-coded, so your animal can understand that each color will correspond to a specific command.

“As far as speech buttons go, they’re really just recordable devices,” says Dr. Learn. “The owner records a familiar word — let’s say potty — and models the behavior associated with that word. So every time the owner touches the potty button, they walk to the door or go outside.”

Over time, dogs begin to associate the sound of the button with the action. “Just like they understand the spoken word potty, they start to learn that this button also means they’ll be let outside,” she says. “Eventually, the dog can choose to press the button themselves to communicate that need.”

This kind of training builds on how dogs already interpret us. Dr. Learn says that dogs already read our body language, tone, and routine. They’re examining our facial expressions, posture, stances, and more to use clues to figure out what’s happening.

Challenges and Tips

But brace yourself: It’ll take time! Learning the meaning of each button and how to use them takes time, and your pet’s confusion is part of the process. “If a pet doesn’t clearly associate a word with its action, they might hit the wrong button or get frustrated,” she says. Frustration can also happen if the owner isn’t present to hear the button press, leaving the dog “saying” something with no response. “The dog’s like, ‘I just told you something,’ and the human has no idea what was said.”

Speech buttons don’t always work on your schedule, either. “Your cat might hit the ‘food’ button at 4 a.m.,” Dr. Learn jokes, “or your dog might ask to play in the middle of your Zoom meeting.”

Just remember to set boundaries, gently. Dr. Learn cautions against using buttons to punish or deny in a negative way. Never tell your pet “no” for using these buttons or you’ll risk them associating button-use with bad behavior. “Punishment is always aversive, and if the buttons are linked to something bad, pets will stop using them,” she explains. That doesn’t mean you have to grant every request. Instead, many trainers introduce neutral cues like “not now” or “later” to acknowledge the pet’s request without reinforcing unwanted timing.

Benefits of Using Speech Buttons

Speech buttons can be a net positive for deeper bonds. They create a two-way channel for communication. “This gives them a tool to participate more directly,” Dr. Learn notes.

If you’re interested in starting a conversation with your pet, check out this basic set that many reviewers say actually does help them communicate with their pets.

Real-Life Experiences

One reviewer, David, wrote, “My dog is very smart, German Sheppard... I did Izzy go out. She hit it right away.” Another reviewer, Kim G, shared, “Even if they don’t communicate with complete thoughts or sentences, it’s feel good moments like this one in the video that just make our day!”

Another user, Sharon In Virginia, said, “These have been so much fun. I read the book How Stella Learned to Talk about how a young speech pathologist started using the communication buttons she used with preverbal autistic children with her dog, then used them with my dog, a 7-year-old collie.”

Despite challenges, many pet owners find these buttons to be a rewarding experience. They offer a unique way to connect with their pets and enhance their relationship. Whether it's a simple "treat" or a heartfelt "I love you," these buttons open up new possibilities for communication between humans and their furry friends.