A dog trainer from Essex is giving her three dogs a voice, using sound buttons to communicate their needs with her. Joe Nutkins, who runs a dog training center in Ardleigh, has been in the industry since 2005. Her innovative approach allows dogs to use buttons to express specific requests, like asking for food, playtime, or a walk.
The buttons, each assigned to a particular command, have proven to be effective communication tools for her dogs—Merlin, Ripley, and Pepper Potts, aged 13, six, and two. Nutkins explains that the buttons help dogs signal when they need something, such as when they need to go outside or want to play.
“Sometimes dogs can’t get our attention, and these buttons give them a way to let us know,” Nutkins says. “For example, if a dog is feeling unwell and needs to go outside urgently, they can use the button to alert us, and we can respond quickly.”
But Nutkins adds that dogs can also use the buttons to get attention or be a little mischievous, especially her terriers. “They pick up on both the good and bad uses of the buttons!”
The trend of dogs using sound buttons to communicate has gained traction in recent years, with pet owners sharing videos of their dogs mastering multiple buttons to express a variety of needs. One dog, Copper, went viral in 2021 for using 20 different buttons to communicate effectively with his owner.
Nutkins believes that dogs of all ages, even older dogs, can learn to use these buttons. “I work with a lot of older dogs, and they can learn just as well,” she says. “Merlin is 13, and he’s still picking up new things. I even taught my dog Cassie, who went deaf at 16, to understand new commands.”
Nutkins emphasizes the importance of patience in training older dogs and hopes more pet owners will try similar techniques to improve communication with their pets. “You can teach dogs at any age—it just takes time and dedication.”
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