Q. Who is this learner of yours?

 

Bunbun is a 3-year-old Border Collie, and we’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old.

 

Q. How long did it take for him to press their first button?

 

Before we got any buttons for him to press, he already knew the “touch” command, so he touched his first button almost immediately when I asked him to. But if we’re talking about an unprompted button press when I wasn’t watching him, it was on the first day when he pressed “play.”

 

Q. What have the buttons revealed about your learner that you wouldn’t have known without the buttons?

 

Too many—but just to name a few:

1. He is constantly listening. I separated my language taught to him just so that my daily conversation within our household wouldn’t accidentally trigger him and cause any confusion.

2. He does understand past and future.

3. He has his own understanding of each word, and sometimes he uses them in very creative ways. I’m sure this is not overinterpretation because I saw a clear pattern of how he uses his words.

4. Bunbun has 70+ buttons, but there are a few that he rarely uses. I always thought he just didn’t fully understand the meaning of them, or I didn’t do enough training—until one day, under very specific circumstances, he actually used that word.

 

Q. What do you do to ensure the buttons remain an engaging and positive experience for Bunbun over time?

 

Most of the buttons we use are words that matter to Bunbun and are frequently used in our daily life. I pay attention to how often he uses each button, it helps me decide what kind of words to introduce next. Personally, I avoid adding unnecessary or overly complex phrases, since I believe many ideas can be expressed clearly with simpler words. If he starts to lose interest in a word, I don’t force it. I’ll either find a new way to use it or introduce something fresh that better fits his current curiosities. Most importantly, I keep our sessions low-pressure and joyful so the buttons stay fun, not frustrating.

 

Q. What’s your funniest  button moment?

 

The two funniest moments were both Bunbun saying “ouch” for his dad.

The first time, my husband collapsed onto the couch, laughing at how much his back hurt. We were both cracking up, and Bunbun looked at him, then pressed “look” and “ouch” like he was telling me, “hey, look at Daddy’s pain.” This is not the only time he describes dad being painful, so I think he’s very committed to daddy’s suffering.

I actually modeled the word “ouch” for him by using it when either he or we got hurt. So technically he was using it correctly… but that first time? I was laughing way too hard to feel like a responsible teacher.

 

Want buttons like BunBun?

He uses FluentPet Connect Buttons with HexTiles.

Shop Bunbun's Buttons

 

Q. What’s your most surprising  button moment?

 

Too many but to pick an earlier one - My husband and I usually speak Mandarin at home, but we taught Bunbun English to keep things consistent and easier for language modeling.

One night we were having a kind of intimate conversation, and this time it happened to be in English and Bunbun understood it. My husband said, “I need love,” and Bunbun immediately went to press “love you.” I replied, “I do love you,” and then my husband said, “I want more.” Right after that, Bunbun pressed “more.” He was literally repeating everything dad said, in perfect order. We just looked at each other like… wait, what?!

 

Q. What challenges have you faced with button teaching?

 

Bunbun uses his buttons a lot throughout the day, and sometimes it's hard to catch every single one right when it happens. That’s why having a Connect button kit really helps. I want to acknowledge everything, but when life gets busy, it's not always realistic to respond instantly. Still, I try, because every missed moment feels like a missed chance to connect.

 

Q. How do you decide when to introduce a new word to your learner?

 

I add a new word when Bunbun seems to want to say something he doesn’t have a button for yet. I watch for patterns in what he does or reacts to, and go from there.

 

Q. How have buttons changed your relationship with your learner?

 

I’ve never felt so bonded with a non-human animal. Buttons made me realize how deeply Bunbun thinks, feels, and wants to connect. It’s not just training anymore. I literally treat him like my kid. We have real conversations, we argue, we make jokes… it’s a relationship built on mutual understanding. And honestly, it’s one of the most meaningful connections I’ve ever had.

 

Q. What advice would you give to others who are interested in teaching their learners to use buttons?

 

Age or breed doesn’t matter. With time, patience, and love, you can teach any dog to use buttons. Keep it positive, model often, and you’ll be amazed at the connection that grows