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Dog Training

Best Dog Communication Buttons

Dog Communication Buttons Offer A Way For Your Dog To Tell You What They Want Or Need
Dog Communication Buttons Offer A Way For Your Dog To Tell You What They Want Or Need

Have you ever wondered what your dog was thinking? Do you ever wish they could tell you what they want or how they feel? Dog communication buttons offer a way for your dog to let you know what they want or need.


Our selections for top dog communication buttons include:

Best Set Of 4 Dog Communication Buttons: 
VocalPups Dog Buttons For Communication
ANBILILA Recordable Talking Buttons
Best Set Of 6 Dog Communication Buttons:
Ribosy Set of 6 Recordable Dog Training Buzzer
Best Set Of 8 Dog Communication Buttons:
Ribosy Recordable Buttons
Bosky Dog Button Set
Best Set Of 12 Dog Communication Buttons:
PawkieTalkie Recordable Talking Buttons

What Are Dog Communication Buttons?

Dog communication buttons are plastic buttons that your dog can press with their snout or paw. When your dog presses the button, a word will sound, like “outside” or “play”, letting your dog let you know what they want or need. 


Do Dog Communication Buttons Work?

Dog communication buttons work if you consistently work with your dog to learn how to use them. Some dogs pick up on them right away, while others can take some time. Still, other dogs may not be interested in using them at all. 


How Do I Teach My Dog To Communicate With Buttons?

If you decide to teach your dog to use communication buttons, first decide what words you would like to use. These should be words your dog already has an association with, like “outside”, “play”, “water “, “potty”, or “walk”. 

Start small. Start with one button to see if your dog catches on and is interested in using them.

Some people prefer to keep each button where it correlates with an action, like having the “outside” button by the door. 

Others like to keep the buttons on a communication mat. This enables all the buttons to be in one place and also provides traction so the buttons don’t slide around on the floor. Your dog remembers which button is which by its position on the mat.

Steps To Train Your Dog With Communication Buttons

  • If your button is pre-recorded, choose which phrase you want to start with. If your button requires you to record your own word, follow the instructions to do so. Make sure when you play the recording back, that your voice is loud and clear.
  • Each time you perform an action, like letting your dog outside or taking them for a walk, you say the word, press the button, and say the word again before actually letting them out or going for a walk. 
  • Eventually, your dog will come to associate the button with the action.
  • When your dog presses the button on their own, be sure to say the word the dog pressed, and immediately perform the action your dog asked for.
  • As your dog gets comfortable using the button, start adding more. 

It is recommended that you don’t give your dog a treat when they use the buttons. They may then associate the buttons with treats instead of the wanted action. The only time you should give your dog a treat is if the button they press actually says ”treat”.


What Should I Look For When Buying Dog Communication Buttons?

Some things to consider when buying dog communication buttons include:

Number Of Buttons

If you are just starting out, you may want to start with just a few buttons to see if your dog will take to using them. FluentPet has a tester kit you can buy that comes with 2 buttons and a mat to put them on. Most other small sets come with 4 buttons. You can always buy more to add to your set.

Recordable Buttons

Some sets come with pre-recorded words and others allow you to record your own. If you opt for a pre-recorded set, are the words ones you already use with your dog?

Record Button Location

Where is the record button located? Some are on the bottom of the buttons and some are on the side. There have been some instances of dogs being able to erase the recorded message on communication buttons with the record button on the side.

Recording Time

How long do you have to record your word? Some only allow 10 seconds, others up to 30 seconds in case you want to record a phrase instead of just one word.

Sound Quality

Is the recorded voice loud and clear? Make sure the voice is not muffled or your dog may not be able to understand the word.

Volume

Volume is not adjustable on the buttons. Is the voice recording loud enough for you to hear it from another room?

Non-Slip Bottom

Communication buttons are known to slip around on the floor as your dog presses them with their paw. A non-slip bottom can help minimize this occurring.

Batteries

Check the type of batteries that are required for the buttons. Most are AAA and come with the batteries included.

Battery Compartment

Some buttons have a battery compartment that requires a screw to be removed to get to them. This helps prevent your dog from being able to access the batteries and accidentally ingesting them.

Ease Of Pressing The Buttons

How easy is it to press the buttons? Some small dogs may have a hard time pressing larger buttons down to get them to work.

Identification Stickers

Stickers with pre-printed words that you can stick onto each button to let you know what word is recorded on it.

Dog Communication Buttons Mat

This is a mat that holds your buttons. This is good to keep your buttons organized and to prevent them from slipping on the floor when your dog uses them. 


Best Dog Communication Buttons 

These are some of the top rated dog communication buttons. The information is provided by the manufacturer. 

Each of these sets of buttons are easy to use. All but one allows you to record your own task word. None of them allow you to control the volume. Any other pros or cons will be noted.


Best Set Of 4 Dog Communication Buttons

VocalPups Dog Buttons For Communication

  • Pack of 4 buttons.
  • Pre-recorded with a male voice.
  • 2 sets available: Green: Out, Play, Food, and Water. Orange: Toy, Done, Walk, and Help.
  • Designed for both small and large dogs.
  • Uses 8 AAA batteries (not included).
  • Screw shut battery door.
  • Anti-slip rubber feet.
  • Includes video lessons on how to train your dog.

Pros/Cons:

  • Voice is loud and clear.
  • Slides on the floor even though it has pads on the bottom.

ANBILILA Recordable Talking Buttons

  • 4 buttons : Blue, Red, White, and Yellow.
  • Recordable.
  • Switch between play, off, and record.
  • 10 second recording time.
  • Uses 8 AAA batteries (included).
  • Snap-shut battery door.
  • Measures 3.58 x 1.77 inches.

Pros/Cons:

  • Good sound quality.
  • Hard for some small dogs to push the buttons.

Best Set Of 6 Dog Communication Buttons

Ribosy Set of 6 Recordable Dog Training Buzzer

  • Set of 6 buttons.
  • Red, White, Yellow, Green, Purple, and Blue.
  • Recordable.
  • Switch between off, record, and play.
  • Metal speaker.
  • Soft spring for easier pushing.
  • Measures 3.58 x 1.77 inches.
  • Records up to 10 seconds.
  • 12 AAA batteries (included).
  • Snap-shut battery door.

Pros/Cons:

  • Sound quality is loud and clear for most users, but a little muffled for others. This may have to do with how they are recording their command word.

Best Set Of 8 Dog Communication Buttons

Ribosy Set of 8 Recordable Buttons

  • Comes in Red, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Blue, Green, White, and Orange.
  • Recordable.
  • Built in metal speaker.
  • Soft spring inside the button.
  • Records up to 10 seconds.
  • Switch between play, record, and off.
  • 16 AAA batteries (included).
  • Snap-shut battery door.
  • Measures 3.58 x 1.77 inches.

Pros/Cons:

  • Easy to record your voice.
  • Good volume level.
  • Buttons slide on the floor.

Boskey 8 Dog Button Set

  • 8 colors: Red, Yellow, White, Purple, Blue , Pink, Green, and Orange.
  • Recordable.
  • Switch between on, off, and record.
  • Records up to 10 seconds.
  • Metal speaker.
  • Includes 25 stickers.
  • Measures 3.58 x 1.77 inches.
  • Uses 16 AAA batteries (included).
  • Snap-shut battery door.
  • Includes instruction manual.

Pros/Cons:

  • Sound quality could be better.

Best Set Of 12 Dog Communication Buttons

PawkieTalkie 12 Recordable Talking Buttons

  • Recordable.
  • Recommended for dogs 5-75 lbs.
  • Includes 2 dog button mats with 6 pockets to hold and secure the buttons.
  • Records up to 30 seconds.
  • On/off switch.
  • Uses 3 AG13 batteries (included) for each button.
  • Screw shut battery door.
  • Measures 2.1 x 1.2 inches.

Pros/Cons:

  • Sound is clear.
  • Pad holds the buttons well.
  • Recording can be easily cleared if your dog holds the button for too long.

Think you know what your dog wants? The answer may surprise you. Dog communication buttons allow you to train your dog to let you know what they want or need, furthering your bond with each other. 


Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.