03/04/2025
Are dogs really using buttons to talk? Or is it fake news?
Answers are starting to come in.
Iโve been skeptical about the โtalking dogโ trend, where dogs use soundboard buttons to โspeakโ to their guardians. But new research (2024) is challenging my skepticism, at least partially, and shedding light on whatโs really happening when our dogs press these buttons.
Two 2024 peer-reviewed studies explored whether dogs genuinely understand the words theyโre pressing, and whether their button-press combinations are intentional or just random.
The first study (Bastos et al., 2024) tackled comprehension. Researchers conducted two complementary experiments: an in-person study with 30 dogs and a citizen science study with 29 dogs, all trained by their guardians.
Dogs responded appropriately to โplayโ and โoutsideโ button presses significantly more often than expected by chance, even when pressed by strangers without additional contextual cues. This wasnโt random; dogs were significantly more likely to respond appropriately to familiar words, which is evidence that at least basic word comprehension seems to be genuinely occurring.
The second study (Rossano et al., 2024) analyzed over 56,000 multi-button presses from more than 150 dogs. The goal was to investigate whether these multi-button combinations were intentional, and results showed dogs werenโt randomly pressing buttons or just imitating their humans.
Certain button sequences appeared far more often than chance would predict. Dogs frequently pressed meaningful combinations like their name + โwant,โ or โplayโ + โoutside,โ at rates significantly higher than chance, suggesting deliberate, purposeful communication. However, researchers are still working to figure out whether dogs might be using memorized button โchunksโ reinforced by positive outcomes, rather than creatively building novel sentences.
Hereโs the important part: Yes, dogs are intentionally pressing buttons and associating specific words with specific outcomes. But the โsentencesโ in these studies are simple and mostly about immediate desires (like play, food, or going outside) and not complex grammar or abstract thoughts. We donโt have evidence theyโre using buttons to convey complex ideas and language - yet!
So why does this matter?
First, it supports that dogs are incredibly capable associative learners. Like us, they grasp words as symbols connected to specific real-world results.
Second, it underscores the individuality of canine intelligence. Some dogs thrive with buttons, others donโt, which is a great reminder of how training and enrichment must be tailored to each dogโs unique cognitive style.
Personally, weโve taught button use to our dogs and noticed clear signs they associate their buttons with specific outcomes. But letโs remember to stay grounded: pressing buttons alone isnโt proof of deep linguistic thought. Itโs evidence that dogs can communicate their basic thoughts in a new, intriguing way.
Hopefully, future research will test if dogs use buttons to communicate information humans donโt already know, how well they understand novel combinations, and whether these alternative communication devices genuinely enrich dogsโ lives.
Meanwhile, letโs appreciate that our dogs are already excellent communicators, in dog language. The buttons just add another fascinating layer!
What are your thoughts?
Have you tried buttons with your dog? Whatโs your experience?
Studies referenced:
Bastos, A. P. M., et al. (2024). How do soundboard-trained dogs respond to human button presses? An investigation into word comprehension. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307189
Rossano, F., et al. (2024). Soundboard-trained dogs produce non-accidental, non-random and non-imitative two-button combinations. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79517-6
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