As our dogs age, it becomes more important than ever to ensure they can communicate their needs. One way to help them do this is by teaching them the names of their body parts. This can be especially useful if they ever need to express discomfort, injury, or simply interact with us in a more detailed way. In this post, I’ll share how I’m teaching Pharaby her body parts using AIC buttons, & why you might want to do the same with your animal friends!
Why Teach Your Dog Body Parts?
Teaching your dog body part names can be beneficial in many ways:
Communication: Your dog can tell you if something is bothering them.
Veterinary Care: They can specify where they feel discomfort or pain.
Enrichment: It’s a fun and mentally stimulating activity that strengthens your bond.
Everyday Use: They can refer to their body in conversations with you, making communication more dynamic.
How I’m Teaching Pharaby
Pharaby already knows some body parts, but we haven’t worked on them as much as we should. To reinforce her understanding, I’m using a mix of verbal cues, physical touch, and her AIC buttons.
Here’s how I do it:
Introduce the Word: I say the name of the body part while touching it (e.g., "ears").
Use the Button: I point to the corresponding button and encourage her to press it.
Repeat and Reinforce: When she presses I give her a treat. I treat this like a lesson so I want to make it fun & reinforce it.
Expand Vocabulary: We also have words like “belly” and “see” (which isn’t "eyes" specifically but could be used to communicate vision-related needs).
You Can & Should Try This Too!
Any animal can benefit from learning body part names! Even if they don’t use AIC buttons, reinforcing words alongside touch can still help them understand and express themselves better.
If you want to try this with your pet, start simple! Pick one or two body parts and say the name while gently touching them. If you use AIC buttons, add the corresponding words to their setup and practice with positive reinforcement.
Giving our pets a voice is one of the best things we can do for them. By teaching them their body parts, we empower them to communicate about their own well-being, now and in the future.
