If you’ve ever wished you could talk to your dog, dog-talking buttons (yes, you read that right) make that possible. Used for training everything from basic commands like “potty” to more complex phrases like “I love you,” dog-talking buttons can create a unique experience between owner and pet.
“Dog owners use talking buttons as a way to give their dog a clear way to communicate,” says Corina Witkowski, a dog trainer at Veterinarians.org. “They can be helpful for teaching your dog how to communicate when they need to go outside, when they want a snack, or sometimes when they just want affection,” she explains.
For a fun way to interact with and train your fur baby, dog-talking buttons are worth giving a try as these buttons “are designed to make it easy to start your dog’s communication journey since they come with step-by-step guides,” says Tracy Donnelly, a dog product specialist at Pet Supplies Plus. To make your efforts even easier, we scoured the internet for the best dog-talking buttons, whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, a starter kit, or something a little more customizable.
Keep reading for the best dog-talking buttons available.
Best Overall
FluentPet Dog Talking Button Tester Kit
Our top pick for the best overall dog communication button set is the FluentPet Cat & Dog Buttons for Communication, which you can purchase on Amazon Prime. This dog-talking buttons set comes with three non-slip HexTile mats and six buttons that work well with a lightweight touch. With a customization feature, you can train your dog using your own voice and properly label each with the included 67 stickers so both you and your dog have a clear idea of what each button is for. On top of that, this set comes with a robust step-by-step guide to walk you through the training process, which makes training your dog (or even your cat) with communication buttons feel more accessible.
Price at time of publish: $21.95
Number of Buttons: 6 | Includes: 3 HexTile mats and 67 labeling stickers
Best Budget
Goplemo Dog Buttons for Communication
For more budget-friendly dog-talking buttons, consider the Goplemo Dog Buttons for Communication on Amazon. This set comes with four colorful buttons that allow you to train your dog to understand basic commands. Albeit budget-friendly, these buttons don’t skimp on the features and allow you to custom record your communication with excellent sound quality so your dog can perform at the sound of your voice.
Price at time of publish: $21.95
Number of Buttons: 4 | Includes: Buttons | Size of Buttons: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 inches
Best with Non-Slip Mat
Mewoofun Dog Buttons for Communication
For the best dog-talking buttons with a non-slip mat, we love the MEWOOFUN Dog Buttons for Communication. Available in a set of 2, 4, or 9, these buttons come in aesthetically pleasing colors with different sticker labels so you can clearly see which is which. The battery-operated buttons also allow you to customize commands in your own voice with the easy-to-use record features.
Price at time of publish: $36.99
Number of Buttons: 2, 4, or 9 | Includes: Non-slip mat
Best Customizable
llmiin Dog Talking Buttons for Communication
One of the best things about dog-talking buttons is the customization feature, and the llmiin Dog-Talking Buttons for Communication has just that. With the ability to record up to 20 seconds, including stickers so you can clearly label which sounds is which, this set makes it easy to create custom commands to train your fur baby.
Number of Buttons: 6 | Includes: Label stickers | Size of Buttons: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.6 inches
Best Starter Kit
Hunger for Words Talking Pet Starter Set
If you want to give dog communication buttons a try and are looking for a good starter option, the Hunger for Words Talking Pet Starter Set is our top pick. This set of four buttons is simple to use and has a customizable feature, so you can record commands with your own voice. On top of that, it has a decent price tag, so the investment isn’t too high if you’re just starting out.
Price at time of publish: $23.73 (orig. $29.99)
Number of Buttons: 4 | Includes: Buttons | Size of Buttons: 3.5 inches
How to Pick the Right Dog-Talking Buttons
Durability
While dog-talking buttons aren’t toys, they can be exposed to a lot of wear and tear, so durability is important to consider. “Dog talking buttons need to be able to handle rough play, so read the product descriptions and the reviews closely,” says Donnelly.
Customization
“Dog-talking buttons should most often be customizable, so you can use your own voice and specific commands that you’ve taught your dog,” Donnelly advises. With that said, Donnelly says it’s still good to have and keep the pre-recorded options as they are excellent for basic commands. Our top pick for the best customizable dog talking buttons is the llmiin Dog Talking Buttons for Communication because you can record up to 20 seconds of audio and it comes with stickers for clear labeling, too.
Practicality
Whether or not a dog-talking button is practical for your lifestyle and dog is also important to consider before investing in this training tool, especially if it’s not something you’ll use frequently. “Having your dog learn and unlearn training methods could be confusing,” says Brittany Vizcara, the director of operations at Paw Works. “Creating a clear and concise form of training and communication that will continue is ideal to give them confidence and understanding.”
Take Our Word For It
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When researching the best dog-talking buttons, Jessie considered everything from the function of use to durability to customization to find the best options. She also reached out to dog training and pet supply experts Tracy Donnelly, Brittany Vizcara, and Corina Witkowski to learn more about what makes for quality dog training buttons, plus their insights on frequently asked questions about the devices. As a result, she curated a list of the best dog training sound buttons on the market.
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