Most dog parents already know their pets have no trouble getting their point across, even without a shared language. A raised eyebrow, a strategic paw tap, or that suspiciously intentional stare at the treat cabinet can say more than any word. But as pet communication tools become more popular, some dogs aren’t just hinting at what they want, they’re spelling it out. One Australian Shepherd demonstrated in a video just how persuasively a dog can communicate when it has a set of talking buttons at its disposal.
Dog uses this tool to effectively communicate his wishes
Abba Furgason, dog mom to a well-mannered Australian Shepherd named Flambo, recently shared a video that captured her pup’s impressive communication skills. In the clip, Flambo casually walks over to a panel of talking buttons arranged on the floor. Each button is programmed with a word or short phrase, and Flambo appears to understand exactly how to use them to make a request. He starts by pressing the button that says “Please.” Furgason, who is recording, gently prompts him with, “Please what?”
Without hesitation, Flambo taps another button: “Mom.” His owner continues the exchange and asks, “Please mom what?” The dog looks up at her, clearly signaling that he has something specific in mind. A moment later, he presses the button labeled “brush brush,” leaving no doubt about what he wants. As soon as Furgason asks, “You wanna be brushed?” Flambo springs toward her with excitement, panting and wagging in anticipation.
Furgason laughs and agrees to his request, adding that he’s due for a brushing anyway. In the caption under the video, she explained that all of her dogs enjoy being groomed. However, Flambo stands out because he’s “the only one who uses his words when he wants extra brushing time.”
Although the idea of dogs “talking” seems high-tech, the buttons work through something very familiar to dogs: consistency. When the same sound leads to the same result, they pick up on the pattern. Over time, many dogs start using the buttons to request food, playtime, or simply attention. It’s not a conversation in the human sense, but it gives dogs a structured way to participate in daily interactions. For Flambo, the system is a perfect fit for letting his mom know when he’s ready for a grooming session.
