The Times of Saturday, January 29, 2025 has a nice article about the FluentPet HexTile System. I decided to investigate it and create an infographic which explains it. I’m told that thousands of animals from 45 countries including cats, rabbits and goats are participating in the world’s largest study of “button pressing pets”. This is taking place at the Comparative Cognition Lab at the University of California, San Diego.
The author of the article Lucy Bannerman, says that “the jury is out on what it all proves but that hasn’t stopped pet owners splashing out on the sound boards sold by FluentPet, the company co-founded by Bunny’s owner”.
The FluentPet tiles and button system was developed by Leo Trottier, a California-based cognitive scientist trained at University of California San Diego, in close collaboration with the Canine AAC Test Pilots, a group of people based in the US, Canada, Sweden, Netherlands, Australia, and beyond.
Bunny is a “pioneering sheepadoodle from Washington state and poster-pup of the talking dog movement, whose uncanny vocabulary and apparent existential crisis of one her millions of followers on social media.”
My thoughts about this cat and dog product is that it probably is worth trying because it be fun training your cat or dog to use it in the first instance which of itself will help to enhance the bond between companion animal and caregiver. In addition, sometimes one wants clarity on what one’s dog or cat wants to do and this form of training resulting in a ‘talking’ dog or cat can help provide that clarity I would suggest.
More: Training
And some more on communication: cat communication
Some more detail on the system:
The FluentPet HexTile System is a communication tool designed to help cats and dogs express their needs, emotions, or desires to their caregivers through buttons that produce specific spoken words. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and how it facilitates training:
Components of the System
- HexTiles:
- These are modular, hexagon-shaped tiles that can be connected to form a customizable grid.
- Each tile has spaces to securely hold buttons.
- Buttons:
- Each button corresponds to a pre-recorded word or phrase.
- When pressed, the button plays the recording, such as “outside,” “food,” “play,” or “love.”
- App Support:
- An optional FluentPet app allows caregivers to track button presses and monitor communication trends.
Training Process
Training pets to use the FluentPet system involves consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience. Here’s how it’s done:
1. Introduce One Button at a Time
- Start with a single button for a high-priority word, like “outside” for dogs or “food” for cats.
- Press the button before performing the associated action (e.g., pressing “outside” before opening the door).
- Encourage the pet to press the button themselves and reward them with treats or praise when they do.
2. Associate Words with Actions
- Use the button consistently in context. For example, say the word while pressing the button and performing the action to create a strong association.
- Pair verbal cues with visual and situational contexts.
3. Expand Vocabulary
- Gradually introduce new buttons for other needs or activities as the pet masters the first one.
- Keep the button placement logical and consistent to help the pet understand relationships between words (e.g., grouping “food” near “water”).
4. Encourage Exploration and Use
- Encourage the pet to explore the buttons freely.
- Reward them whenever they press a button, even if it’s accidental, to build confidence and curiosity.
5. Observe and Adjust
- Pay attention to how the pet uses the buttons and adjust placement or recording if needed.
- Use the FluentPet app (if available) to track patterns and refine training.
Benefits
- Enhanced Communication: Allows pets to express themselves in ways beyond body language or vocalizations.
- Reduced Frustration: Pets can communicate needs more clearly, reducing guesswork for caregivers.
- Stronger Bond: Encourages meaningful interactions and strengthens the pet-caregiver relationship.
Considerations
- Training success depends on the individual pet’s personality, learning style, and the caregiver’s consistency.
- Not all pets will use the system extensively, but even basic use can be beneficial.
The FluentPet HexTile System is grounded in research about animal cognition and communication, making it an innovative way to deepen understanding and connection with pets.