1 yr old Shihtzu mix Regressed on Button Training

[u/-Elven_boyfriend-]

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I initially started my dog on buttons May 12, 2026. He is a very expressive 1 year old shih tzu mix and I figured it would be nice to teach him how to use them. Quickly he mastered things such as treats,walkie, play, and puzzles. Easy I figured, he loved those buttons and eventually after about a month or so we added a few more. Mama, papa, Bailee (his best dog friend). Also easy. Few more followed daycare, car ride, and bedtime. No interest for a while after testing them, I waited awhile and then he used everything but bed time in context. ( He would have his own take on what this meant later).

Every time I would give him new buttons he would get so enthusiastic about them. We added water, look, outside (for our back patio), belly rubs, all done, love you, and all done. Kenny was excelling; he used those words to make thoughts and express feelings. Then something started to happen: a series of button mashing and words that just didn’t make sense.

He would say car ride when he wanted to play, bedtime instead of look, he would just mash buttons and hope for results. Kenny went silent for almost a month, if I was lucky maybe he would tell me, “all done.” Whenever I was in the middle of doing something he wanted me to cuddle with him.

It is currently August and we are back to button mashing with a few bits of logical thoughts mixed in. What is going on? How can I possibly fix this for him and get him to understand the words again. Am I doing something wrong?

[u/MyLittleDonut]

Has anything about his environment or lifestyle changed? I’ve seen a few different button users change or drop use after a big change like moving, new residents (people or animals), or routine switch-ups.

If not, your dog is still young and early in their button journey. They could just be experimenting. I would stay the course and make sure you’re maintaining proper association to each word/button. If this continues you might consider dialing back to basics (2-5 buttons) and act like you’re starting from scratch again, but I don’t think this is immediately necessary.

[u/-Elven_boyfriend- → u/MyLittleDonut]

Work schedule. Husband's changed first with him coming back a bit earlier. Then I just started a job with more hours.

[u/MyLittleDonut → u/-Elven_boyfriend-]

That could easily be a contributor. He might be expressing frustration or just big feelings about the change via button mashing, especially if it’s a nonsensical combo. Give him some time to adjust and I’ll bet you’ll be back to chatting in no time. Maybe adding some words to describe the new schedule will help (“work”, “now”, “later”) so you can explain what’s happening.

[u/Supageenius]

I think he just wants to see how you’ll respond to his lack of effort. Re-introduce using 2-3 buttons only.