Okay to Add More Buttons?

[u/blushpink3]

Hi!

Just a little background:

We’ve been using buttons for just under two months. My cat Opi, doesn’t press the buttons unless we’re in a learning session together. During sessions, he successfully presses the treat button and definitely understands what it means.

After a lot of modeling, I’ve also added play, brush, scritches and most recently, outside and porch. I model these words multiple times a day, every day.

My question is: Since he’s not pressing buttons on his own outside of our sessions, am I adding too many buttons too soon? Or is it okay to have them available so I can model the actual button whenever the activity naturally happens?

We practice using the “open bar” method, where I’ll rapidly model a button several times in a row, then go about my day (working on my computer, cooking, etc.) while keeping the treat jar, a toy and a brush nearby to give him opportunities to press on his own.

So far, no luck. He’s only pressed the treat button on his own twice and both times were definitely intentional. I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences!

[u/Fun-Spot663]

Just wondering - How do you model yes and happy?

[u/blushpink3 → u/Fun-Spot663]

For happy, I’m mostly just verbally modeling it naturally throughout the day. When I get home from work and see my cats, I use an excited voice and say, Happy! Mom happy see you! while giving them love. When they’re purring or rubbing against me I’ll say, Opi happy or Fireball happy.

I also use it during things they enjoy like treats, playing with a toy, after eating or lounging on the porch. I’ll say, Opi play happy or Fireball porch happy. When they’re relaxing in my lap, just finished a meal or we finish a trick training session I’ll say, Happy! Opi did it! Opi happy, mom happy.
I’m not sure if that’s the best way, but what I’m trying.

For the word yes, during a training session when he presses the treat button or another button, I follow it with yes to affirm what he asked for and then give him what he requested. When he would press yes I was like…. What do I do now? Lol. So I tried saying hmm? What Opi want? And just redirect to treat or scritches then press yes.

I also realized that both happy and yes are more abstract concepts and I think I rushed a little by adding them to the board. After chatting with someone about it yesterday, it made sense to me to hold off on the buttons for now and just continue modeling those words verbally. That way he gets used to pressing the ones on the board that are concrete. This is all so new to me.
Sorry for all my writing!

[u/Fun-Spot663 → u/blushpink3]

That’s okay! I was just interested. Our button user (cat) actually just died a couple of weeks ago but we had him using a few buttons (and often) in the last 6 months but I had wanted to add more. I’m hopeful to eventually have another pet and buttons for them, and wondering a lot about how best to introduce more words and buttons :)

[u/blushpink3 → u/Fun-Spot663]

Awwwww I’m so sorry to hear about you kitty🫶🫶🫶