Button Press "Glossary"
Dogs and cats initially communicate with buttons by using single words for expressing their needs. Progressively, they start using multiple buttons to express new ideas and use words in different contexts. Here is a list of fun and exciting button combinations reported by our teachers with possible translations. Although we don’t know how accurate, this list gives us an insight into what dogs or cats may be trying to communicate.
A
agua + Chew chew = ice cream
all done + later = later is done now
all done my dish is empty, the treats are gone, you (human) are all done making noise/working/singing/talking/etc., you are done with whatever and need to come now.
B
ball + comidita = treat ball
ball + tug = a particular toy with a ball at one end
ball+water = ice
bed+porch = spend time on the porch with family
belly + go = eat
belly + noise = growling tummy
Belly or tummy + ouch = hungry
belly+smell+squeaker=fart
benebone+hungry+floormuffins = homemade puzzle with benebones in muffin tin
big + sibby = older human sibling
big+water = ocean (high tide)
bird+food = chicken
bird + stick = guitar
bird + treat = a specific treat toy
boat+hike = doggy beach
busy + bug = scorpion
butt + rain = poop
C
cagar el palo+car = loud ATV/scooter/etc.
car+walk = car ride
cardboard+play = holey ball stuffed with cardboard to make a puzzle
cardboard+sprinkles = dentastick (cardboard = want to bite, sprinkles = something delish)
catnip+cookies = cat kibble
catnip+water = coffee
chase+poop = zoomies
coco (own name)+dad+play = tug which is something done only with dad
come+bye = forgot a word
cuddle+food = something extra delicious
cuddles+play = wrestle
D
dinner+dad = nightly chew given by dad
dirty+bug = cockroach
doctor+love = go to vet
downstairs+water = something (treat/toy) under the water dish
downstairs = anything that is under something else
E
eat+water = ice
eat+work = cooking
F
family+bed = mom and dad's bed
fart+friend = smelly dog
food+bone = stuffed bone or kong
food+box = container treats are stored in
food+chew = bully stick
food+play = training
food+play = treat ball (dessert!)
food+potty = poop
food+sweater = snufflemat
fridge+car = ice cream truck
fridge+treat = frozen treat
fridge+treat (2) = jerky kept in the fridge
frisbee+chew = a particular toy that is actually NOT chewable
G
good+ouch = wrestling
H
happy+hungry = puzzle/treat dispensing toy
happy+rain+scratcher = shower/shampoo
help+any button = urgency
help+go+pee = urgent need to pee
help+water = turn on the faucet or hose
help+wrestle = move furniture to get access to toy etc. that rolled under
hi+later = bye/I will be back
hi+rain = rain just starting
home+stranger = house sitter
hot+fridge+treat = cooked meat
hot+treats = popcorn
human+machine = laptop (zoom class)
human+puppy = human child
human+rain = coffee
human+sound = word buttons
hungry+ball = egg
hungry+chew = treat toy
hungry+play = training with treats
hungry+toy or hungry+water = toy stuffed with frozen oatmeal
hungry+water = add water to the kibble
hungry+water (2) = ice
I
ice cream+friend = please (or give me ice cream and be my friend)
ice+food = food from the fridge
ice+sweater = wipe down with wet towel to cool off
inside+potty+home = bathroom
inside+sunshine = lamp
inside+wind = air conditioner
J
jen (human name)+food+later = human should have eaten by now
K
kibble+training = chips
kid = puppy or kitten
L
later+is = it is later now
later+mouth = not hungry/eat later
later+now = do whatever you promised to do “later” NOW
later+yes = it is later now
let's go+carrot+friend = go for a walk and take a carrot please
listen+family+belly+now = feed us now
look+ouch = bright light
loud+light+nighttime = storm with lightning
love you = please, thank you, pets, attention, physical affection
M
mad+scratches = itchy and need scratching
meat+treat+fridge+treat = jerky that is kept in the fridge
milo (other dog's name)+bedtime = get out of my way (to other dog)
mom+water+treat = coffee
momma+happy+help me = I missed you all day mom
more+home+now = come home now
more+hungry = snack
MYSTERIES
play+calm+calm+more = ??? Norma the Cow
stranger+zoomies = ??? Puppy Parker Posey
N
night+talk = dream
noise+all done = turn off tv, stop singing/working/snoring/etc. Also wanting outside noise to stop.
noise+play = treat ball
O
ocean+sound = waves or sound of surf
ouch+car+ride = desperate longing for car ride
ouch+music+sounds = ”hurtin' for some tunes”
outside+all done = inside
outside+help = must go NOW
outside+home = spaces beyond the doggy gate
outside+kitty = squirrel
outside+play+water = swim or pool
outside+snack = stick
outside+treat = dine alfresco
outside+treat (2) = mom play guitar and sing while we play outside
outside+water = rain
outside+water+chew+help = take the ice chunks out from between my toes
ouch = hurt feelings, hungry, urgent need to potty
outside = open any door/other side of the door
P
paw+belly = treat ball
perch+ride = sit in back of car to ride
play+cucumber = tricks
play+eat = puzzle
play+food = treat toy of any kind
play+outside = hunt bugs, etc.
play+outside (2) = outside training to earn treats
play+snack = puzzle
play+stuck = sniff and dig vole tunnels
play+treat = puzzle or snufflemat
play+water = pool or swim
play+water+walk = water gurgling in outside drain
poop+chase = zoomies
poopoo+chew toy = rawhide
poop+play = fart
poop+tug = constipated or urgent need to poop (one had hair in eye!)
potty+ball = poop
puzzle+ball = food puzzle
puzzle+toy = snufflemat
petpets = human family
pets = general attention
poop = general cuss word
puppy or kitten = human baby or child
Q
quiet+but = spider
R
rain+ice = snow
ride+home = play chase
rain = water or water = rain
S
scratchy+scratchy = brush
scoop+pets = cuddle
scoop+ride = carry to something or carry something to her
scritches+play = wrestle
settle+smell+clean = snufflemat
show+eyes = look at what I am looking at
sleep+noise = snoring
smell+no+bye = dog accident in house
sniffsniff+ride = ride with windows down
sniffsniff+walk (or bird+walk or bug+walk) = go outside to hunt
snow+machine = AC
soon+is = soon is NOW
sound+ball = noisy treat ball
sound+walk = talk with buttons
squeaker+car = ambulance
stranger+animal = rats
street+jason (dad) = ”spare human” take for a walk
sweater+treat = snufflemat
sweater+walk = put on sweater before going for walk
stranger = anything or anyone unexpected or in a place where it should not be
soon = immediately before or after any event
sibling = human child living in same home
T
talk+sleep = dream
tired+sad = bored
toy+walk = fetch
train+outside = agility or other training where treats are earned
treat+play = treat ball
tug+poop = remove something nasty from eye/paw/etc.
tummy+paw = belly rubs
training = wants higher value treats
U
upstairs+bird = plane
upstairs+fetch = toys kept on table
upstairs+food = food that is not at floor level (on counter, table, top of fridge, cabinet, etc.)
upstairs+water = rain
upstairs = anything that is “up”
W
walk+home = play fetch in the house
want+bye = i don't want to play with you right now
want+bye+all done = stay at home, human!
want+hungry+play = puzzle
water+ball = ice
water+ball+treat = watermelon
water+eye = wipe runny eyes
water+food = wet food
water+hippo = seal
water+outside = rain
water+outside (2) = beach
water+outside (3) = pee
water+play = swim
water+scritches = wiped with wet washcloth
water+treat = churu
water+treat = wet food (2)
water+walk = go pee
water+walk (2) = foggy outside
wet food+training = meal topper
work+cleanup = garbage truck
worm+water = ice
wrestle+treat = treat toy
water = anything in a glass, cup or bowl
Y
yard+vegetables = eat leaves in the yard
yay+name = favorite friend
Glossary Data Collection
We'd like to thank Barb Moore (@mycatscantalk) for creating this glossary and the teachers listed below who continue to contribute to this collection (credits are listed by Instagram or Facebook handles).
Alexandra Anderson
Amy Karlin
bastianandbrews
beaglemom56
billispeaks
bustertoks
buttonpigs
carolynschwed
Cathy Chenoweth
Cathy Crosby
catinthedark
chatwithchamp
Cherie Vriesema
Christine Meng-Brown
cocothetalkingdog
elissawearscapes
Erin Janosri
flintcantalk
freyacantalk
Heather Dice
heathered_knits
isa_9723
Jennifer Gaskill
jordanade
juniperpoodlepants
kai_an_american_bully
Kandy Pople-Gill
Karen Brown
Kelly McGonigle
kristinecircenis
ladyliadhain
Laurel Westbrook
Lisa Laufer
Lisa Turner
lo_rosana
Lori-Ann Spears
Mallory McCourt
mango_the_black_cat
mariequaranto
megumitalks
mycatscantalk
Natasha Amaral
normathecow
pawsitivebehaviors
pharaby_fable
pick1ecart
pretendyelling
puppyparkerposey
reginausesherhead
rhiaannaaa
roxnchuck
Sabrina Barnabe
Samantha Smith
scouts.journey.home
Sheila Petersen
smblake1484
steviecantalk
talkingmytilda
Tanya Cummins Diekmann
Taran Daestingr
twiggyandhercatfriends
whataboutbunny
zodiak_can_learn