Introduction of the "Play" button!

Tadpole has a new button to use for communication!

The "Play" button.

He's really gotten the hang of using his "Outside" button, and he's amazed me with his grasp of using it. It's been about two weeks since I introduced it to him (I'm omitting the post-neutering recovery), and he's really gotten comfortable using it. As he's made progress, I've had to allow him to reinforce the behavior by often taking him out multiple times in a row, but that commitment really cemented the use of the button for him. I'm now allowing him (with the exception of the pre-bedtime walk) to set his own schedule with the use of the button. We're taking longer walks, but they're fewer in number, and he sets the pace now. I've noticed an (apparent) increase in his confidence with its use. I say that because he's extremely frightened of garbage trucks; no doubt a lingering effect from his time "on the street" as a stray. He's normally reticent to go outside for walks on "garbage truck days" when he hears the trucks in our community backing up with their telltale back-up beeping, followed shortly thereafter with the sounds of hydraulics and then the inevitable crashing down of the dumpster. It really created panic when he first came home, often refusing to go outside most of the day. Since he began using his "Outside" button, he's able to choose when he feels comfortable going out, and he's willing to go out sooner than he did before the button's usage.

With the mastery of the "Outside" button comes an increase in his newfound lexicon:

The "Play" button!

I was unsure of which button to introduce next, but with his really learning to enjoy playing "fetch," the choice became clear.

The only difficulty was initially, he was using both buttons as a combined "Make Dad stop working" button, but we're dealing with that. Lol.

Stay tuned for updates! It's really a wonderful experience having him communicate his wishes to me. If you're interested in trying it for yourself, click on the "Tadpole's Favorites" menu option to be taken directly to the buttons on Amazon's page. They're the most reasonably priced buttons available!