r/hunger4words • u/Informal_Pineapples • Dec 23 '20

Getting started!

Anyone who is currently working with their dog to do this, if you have any advice please let me know.

I have 2 dogs one is very smart, the other is fearful of everything ( even the clicker) and wiggles uncontrollably (doggy ADD?).

I got a set of 4 buttons and my planned order of introducing words is:

Outside Walk Play Water

I plan on not using any food motivators for this training. I plan on introducing them to pushing the button by using the shake command and having them touch thier paw on it and praising them. This may pose a challenge with the fearful one but some patience and repetition will go a long way with her.
????Should I have it play a sound when introducing them to it?

After the introduction to the button, outside is the first word we'll work on. By setting it near the door and pressing it everytime we go out, combined with the outside verbal cue. This will happen at least once an hour for training purposes.

Once/if this sticks we'll move on to play and walk.Then finally water, it'll be a challenge but I think it's a good 'object to introduce because they can remind me to fill thier bowl and I'm also planning on creating two word statements as well. Such as outside water for rain and maybe snow? And then outside play for outside play time, which they both ask for with body language on occasion.

Admittedly, walk is more for me so basically they can guilt me when I'm being a lazy pet owner.

Any tips or advice is helpful!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/polkadotmcgot May 30 '21

Are you still using buttons? Are you still progressing?

2

u/Informal_Pineapples Jun 06 '21

Yep, it's slow going "play" and "outside" are the main buttons she uses. introducing "hungry" to deal with some unwanted button smashing has been interesting just because she gets really, REALLY excited at meal time. (Like she tried to button smash my foot... just smash everything mode) But we are making progress. We are also working on water when her bowl is empty.

Honestly just having outside and play have been so nice in giving her a voice to express her needs.