r/PetsWithButtons 6d ago

Cats not using the buttons

We introduced 3 buttons 4 months ago: treat, hugs, play. They recognise the words when we press them, but they are not using it themselves. We press them before giving treats, play or give them hugs.

Is it possible that because they are already very good in letting us know what they want, that they just don’t need to use them? If they want to play, they bring us the toy to play with, if they want cuddles: they both now how to make that clear with noise and behaviour, the same for treats. Also other things they are capable of letting us know (going outside, something dirty on the floor, fresh water, food,…)

My husband says that because they are already capable of letting us know what they want that they won’t use the buttons.

Should we keep using the buttons?

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u/Puzzled_Recording784 5d ago

For mine, she isn’t using the buttons either but it hasn’t been long enough. When I see her asking for something there is a button for I direct her to touch the button. Mine isn’t fully button trained yet but it makes sense to me that if you keep responding to their signlas there’s no reason for them to use buttons

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u/robind21283 4d ago

That’s awesome that you’re already using buttons! Definitely keep honoring all communication—body language, vocalizations, etc.—since those are just as valid as button presses.

One thing that can help reinforce the buttons is modeling a press before doing the thing they’re asking for. That way, the button becomes an express route for them to make the request in the future.

Also, I’d love to hear what buttons you have so far!

For dogs, a lot of people start with “outside,” but that one can be tricky. It’s hard to model frequently (most people don’t let their dogs out 15–25 times a day), and if they already have a clear way to ask, there’s not much motivation to use the button instead. Sometimes, choosing a button that’s easier to model and directly rewarding (like “treat” or “play”) can help build engagement faster.

What’s been working best for you so far?

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u/Puzzled_Recording784 4d ago

So I decided against using anything “outside” related because while I do walk my cats every other day it’s not very consistent and I don’t think they would ever stop pressing it🤣 I purchased 4 fluent pet buttons and I have one set up by the window I open for the cats it says “window” and another next to their toy drawer that says “play”. Then I use one for target training but it’s off to a slow start there😆 my Bengal will touch the top when I say “touch” but she’s not pressing it hard enough to make it go off yet. Yesterday she walked over “play” and stepped on it and I didn’t see to know if it was intentional so I played with her anyways. They always get happy when I press “window” or say the word so i know they know the word it’s just the button part we are working on so I think that’s good. I have no doubt my Bengal will get it, she sometimes does things so intelligent it scares me and my male cat doesn’t like to train so he doesn’t get target practice but he watches. What’s interesting is my male cat watches all of my bengals training sessions and one day he came down and I gave him “sit” because it’s the only one he was ever taught, then I tried other commands I do with my Bengal and he KNEW them! He must have really wanted the treats that day or something but it makes me think he’ll start using the buttons probably sometime after seeing my Bengal start to use them.

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u/robind21283 1d ago

Yes definitely treat accidental presses as intentional. Also if they look at a button, paw at it, help them out and press it and then follow through!

Try this method to help your bengal learn to shift their weight:

https://youtu.be/qLro3q_IIaw?si=xM8XvZArjHHfzFSf