Can Your Dog Tell You What He Wants?

Can your dog say, “I love you”? According to a study in 2024 that involved 152 dogs and over 21 months of study, the answer is YES!. By using a device created by Fluent PetSound, a vocal/language technological board and phone App, it appears possible.

This study explored how dogs interacted with the sound board that had buttons that vocalized different activities. The protocol involved dogs touching the board to create the recorded word and then receiving the positive reward promised; “Go outside” “Play” and “Food Now” were some of the combinations on which the dogs were trained.

Research into dog cognition is ongoing, and additional studies are needed to further understand this topic. Regarding this study, questions remain about the nature of pets’ button presses, such as whether they were intentional and carried any meaning. The use of technology in interactive training tools and toys has increased, and these tools—alongside structured training and positive reinforcement—may eventually provide further promise for dogs to communicate their needs and desires and thereby strengthen the human-animal bond.

Care to give it a try?  Dog communication buttons are sold on Amazon and the reviews suggest that many people are enjoying this activity with their dog.  One reviewer said that his super clever dog, after learning what happened when she pressed the “walk” button, ended up getting 6 walks in one day! I might wonder, if it is really the human that is training the dog or if it is just the opposite…

Reference: 

Bastos, A.P.M., Houghton, Z.N., Naranjo, L. et al. Soundboard-trained dogs produce non-accidental, non-random and non-imitative two-button combinations. Sci Rep 14, 28771 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79517-6

#dog communication #dog enrichment #dog cognition #canine human bond

Naomi Soffa is a certified Veterinary Assistant as well as a University of Washington-certified Animal Behaviorist.  She is a longtime volunteer at several animal shelters and rescue organizations around the San Francisco Bay Area. Naomi is also the proud mom of a rescue pet and avid animal lover.

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Can your dog say, “I love you”? According to a study in 2024 that involved 152 dogs and over 21 months of study, the answer is YES!. By using a device created by Fluent PetSound, a vocal/language technological board and phone App, it appears possible.

This study explored how dogs interacted with the sound board that had buttons that vocalized different activities. The protocol involved dogs touching the board to create the recorded word and then receiving the positive reward promised; “Go outside” “Play” and “Food Now” were some of the combinations on which the dogs were trained.

Research into dog cognition is ongoing, and additional studies are needed to further understand this topic. Regarding this study, questions remain about the nature of pets’ button presses, such as whether they were intentional and carried any meaning. The use of technology in interactive training tools and toys has increased, and these tools—alongside structured training and positive reinforcement—may eventually provide further promise for dogs to communicate their needs and desires and thereby strengthen the human-animal bond.

Care to give it a try?  Dog communication buttons are sold on Amazon and the reviews suggest that many people are enjoying this activity with their dog.  One reviewer said that his super clever dog, after learning what happened when she pressed the “walk” button, ended up getting 6 walks in one day! I might wonder, if it is really the human that is training the dog or if it is just the opposite…

Reference: 

Bastos, A.P.M., Houghton, Z.N., Naranjo, L. et al. Soundboard-trained dogs produce non-accidental, non-random and non-imitative two-button combinations. Sci Rep 14, 28771 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79517-6

#dog communication #dog enrichment #dog cognition #canine human bond

Naomi Soffa is a certified Veterinary Assistant as well as a University of Washington-certified Animal Behaviorist.  She is a longtime volunteer at several animal shelters and rescue organizations around the San Francisco Bay Area. Naomi is also the proud mom of a rescue pet and avid animal lover.

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