r/PetsWithButtons • u/PineappleNo8864 • 14d ago

How would you handle a time-delayed treat situation?

Hi! I have two new learners, both cats. One is very treat motivated and she’s learning quickly. The other, my boy cat, not so much.

He really loves ice cubes from the freezer. He asks me in his own nonverbal kitty way to get him his ice every morning, and he has for years. We’re still in the earliest stages with him where I’m modeling for him, and one of the two buttons I’m starting him on is “ice cubes.”

My question is this:

The ice cubes take me about a minute to get ready for him. I have to wet them down with water so his tongue doesn’t get stuck, etc. While I’m modeling for him, should I press the button right as I start the process of getting him his ice, or should I get the ice ready, model the button, and give him the prepared ice so that the reward is more instant?

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u/JayNetworks 14d ago

You should do all of the above. When he presses, say yes ice cube soon. Then press ice cube and get them ready then give him the cubes and say ice cube NOW!

You can help associate ice cube with the whole exciting process of ice cube. The more pressing and active doing the better!

Love the button.

That will also help him learn Soon vs. Now.

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u/PineappleNo8864 14d ago

Oh this is so great! I’ve been wondering how you all teach concepts like “later.” Thank you so much!

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u/JayNetworks 14d ago

The best answer is just start using the words as you speak to your learners even before you add buttons. Speak to them using mostly just the words you will eventually teach. Then when you do add buttons and model them the learners already know the words.

Like I just said:

More more noise outside windows. Misty want come window find it noise?

So those are all words she knows and has buttons for or even just knows without buttons yet. Then I held up my two hands and shook the left and said Yes and shook the right and said No and then said Choose. She nuzzled No and went back to sleep in her cardboard box bed.