It all started in a morning routine conversation on talking dog buttons. When TuxnDog asked for “breakfast” again after eating, I said no. Then I introduced a new button: “If not now, when?” and paired it with immediate reward delivery.
At first, I pressed the button myself and gave her more food. She caught on fast. The moment I said “no, not now,” she started bypassing other buttons and hitting “if not now when?” on her own—repeatedly—because it worked. I rewarded her every time with warm chicken, and she memorized what triggered the reward.
Now, she uses it strategically. Anytime she’s told “no” or “not now,” she knows her power move. No more guessing. She figured out the conversation structure. It’s not just button mashing—it’s dialogue.
Dogs understand more than we think. Especially when the timing, intention, and emotional connection are strong.