Hunger For Words: Teach Your Dog to 'Talk' with Speech Buttons
, by Michael van Wassem, 11 min reading time
Ever wondered what your dog would tell you if they could talk? Now you can with Hunger For Words Speech Buttons! This innovative system helps dogs communicate their needs and feelings using speech buttons. In this blog post, you'll learn all about Hunger For Words, how it works, who it's suitable for, and how you can teach your dog to "talk" using this method.
What is Hunger For Words?
Hunger For Words is a training method developed by Christina Hunger, a speech therapist specializing in speech development. She noticed that her puppy, Stella, displayed the same language development patterns as toddlers just before they learn to talk. This led her to experiment with speech buttons, which, when pressed, utter a pre-recorded word.
With this method, dogs learn to communicate through buttons and can use words like "food," "outside," "play," or even "I love you" to express their needs. This has led to a completely new way of interacting between humans and dogs.
How does Hunger For Words work?
Hunger For Words uses speech buttons that you can program with words or commands. When the dog presses a button, the spoken word is spoken. This helps the dog learn the meaning of specific words and express what it wants or feels.
How does Hunger For Words work? A detailed explanation
Hunger For Words is based on the idea that dogs, just like young children, can learn to associate words with actions, objects, and feelings. This is made possible by speech buttons that you can record with words like "food," "outside," "walk," or "play." By consistently using these buttons in everyday situations, your dog will learn to understand their meaning and can use them to communicate independently.
Step-by-step: How to teach your dog to 'talk'?
1. Choose a suitable environment
Before you start training your dog with the voice buttons, it's important to choose a quiet, fixed location in your home where the buttons will be placed. This will help your dog easily recognize them and use them consistently.
2. Start with a few simple words
It's best to start with one to three cues so your dog doesn't get overwhelmed. Choose words that are frequently used in everyday life and provide an immediate reward, such as:
- “Food” – Press the button before putting down the food bowl.
- "Outside" – Press the button before you open the door to let your dog out.
- “Play” – Press the button before you start playing with a toy.
By using these words repeatedly in the correct context, your dog will begin to understand what they mean.
3. Use the button in context and with rewards
Every time your dog wants something, press the button and say the word. Then immediately give the desired action or reward.
👉 Example: If your dog is at the door ready to go outside, press the "outside" button and immediately open the door. This will link the button to the action .
Important:
✔️ Always use the button before the action takes place.
✔️ Say the word out loud while pressing the button.
✔️ Repeat this exercise several times a day.
✔️ Give your dog a reward or positive feedback when he presses the button.
4. Teach your dog to press the button himself
Once your dog understands that the button causes an action, encourage him to press the button himself . You can do this by:
✅ Point your hand at the button and encourage him to press it.
✅ Gently guide his paw or nose to the button .
✅ Give a reward whenever he touches the button, even by accident.
Once your dog understands that pressing the button results in a reward, he will repeat this behavior more often.
5. Build your dog's vocabulary slowly
Once your dog understands the first words well, you can add new buttons to expand his vocabulary.
🚀 Some examples of new words:
- “Water” – For when your dog is thirsty.
- “Hug” – When he wants attention or a pat on the head.
- “Ball” – For when he wants to play with his favorite toy.
- “Sleeping” – When he is tired and wants to go to his basket.
The words you add should be relevant to your dog and match his behavior and needs.
6. Combine buttons for advanced communication
As your dog progresses, he may begin to combine words to make more specific requests. For example:
🗣️ "Outside + play" → I want to play outside.
🗣️ "Food + water" → I'm hungry and thirsty.
🗣️ "Play + ball" → I want to play with my ball.
This level of communication requires patience and persistence, but some dogs can eventually combine multiple words to make complex requests.
Common challenges and solutions
My dog doesn't understand the buttons. What am I doing wrong?
✅ Give it time! Some dogs need a few weeks to learn their first words. Be consistent and encourage them with treats.
❌ My dog presses the buttons all the time, even for no reason.
✅ This is a good sign! Your dog is starting to understand that the buttons mean something. Ignore misuse and only reward when they use the button correctly.
❌ My dog is scared of the buttons and doesn't dare to press them.
✅ Introduce the buttons slowly. Let him sniff them and reward him as soon as he touches the button with his paw or nose.
❌ How do I know if my dog really understands?
✅ Pay attention to body language and context . If your dog says "outside" and stands at the door, you know they understand!
Summary: How to teach your dog to talk with Hunger For Words
1️⃣ Start with 1-3 buttons with simple words like "food", "outside" or "play".
2️⃣ Use the buttons in context and press them before performing an action.
3️⃣ Encourage your dog to press the button himself and reward him when he gets it right.
4️⃣ Slowly expand the vocabulary with words like "water", "ball" or "cuddle".
5️⃣ Let your dog combine words for more complex communication.
6️⃣ Stay patient and consistent , because learning to talk is a process!
With the right approach and patience, your dog can learn to communicate his needs and wants in ways you never thought possible!
What products are available?
Hunger For Words has several sets to help you get started or expand your existing set:
1. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Starter Set
- Contains four self-recordable buttons.
- Ideal to start communicating.
- Includes manual with training tips.
Check them out here .
2. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Essential Words Set
- Six buttons with pre-recorded English words such as "walk", "play", "eat", "outside", "water" and "love you".
- Specially developed for basic training.
Check them out here .
3. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Essential Names Set
- Contains three self-recordable buttons.
- Includes icon stickers to make words visually recognizable.
Check them out here .
4. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Button Mat
- Keeps six buttons organized and prevents them from sliding around.
- Multiple mats can be connected together.
Check them out here .
5. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Doorbell
- A special doorbell button that allows your dog to indicate when he wants to go outside.
- You can set a default sound or your own recording.
Check them out here .
6. Hunger For Words Talking Pet Goal Tracker
- Magnetic whiteboard to track your dog's progress.
- Includes 126 magnets and an erasable marker.
Check them out here .
Who is Hunger For Words suitable for?
Hunger For Words is suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds, but it works especially well for dogs that:
✔️ Be curious and eager to learn.
✔️ Have a strong bond with their owner.
✔️ Respond well to positive training and rewards.
✔️ Naturally communicative (such as Border Collies, Poodles and Labradors).
The system requires patience and consistent training. Not every dog will pick it up equally quickly, but with regular practice, many dogs can learn to "talk" to their owners.
What are the benefits of Hunger For Words?
✅ Better communication with your dog – understand what your dog needs and wants to say.
✅ More mental challenge – prevents boredom and stimulates the brain.
✅ Strengthens the bond between dog and owner – by allowing your dog to communicate with you in a new way.
✅ Easy to expand – start with a few words and add new buttons later.
✅ Easy to use – easy-to-pronounce buttons that are ready to use straight away.
Are there any disadvantages?
❌ Requires training and patience – not every dog learns at the same speed.
❌ Buttons are sensitive – they can wear out with intensive use.
❌ Not suitable for chewers – If your dog likes to chew on things, the buttons should be kept out of reach when not in use.
Conclusion: Is Hunger For Words right for you and your dog?
If you'd like to build a deeper bond with your dog and teach them to communicate in a new way, Hunger For Words is a great addition to your dog training. With a little patience and regular practice, your dog can learn to express themselves more clearly, further strengthening your partnership.
Want to get started with Hunger For Words? Browse our selection and choose the set that best suits your dog. Did you enjoy this blog? Read all of Fidello's blogs here.
