Why I Chose to Organize My Dog’s Body Part Buttons by Region
One of the most valuable things I can do for Pharaby is to give her the ability to communicate about her body. As she gets older, I want to make sure she can tell me if she’s in pain or if something feels off. To do this, I’ve incorporated body part names into her AIC button setup. However, I’ve structured them a little differently than some might expect.
Why I Chose Regional Labels Instead of Specific Body Parts
Some people have questioned why I labeled certain buttons the way I did, with some even suggesting that I should have used "paws" instead of "hands" and "feet." However, my approach is intentional and based on both practicality and effectiveness.
Rather than having buttons for every single body part, which would take up too much space, I’ve grouped them into larger regions. This helps Pharaby communicate in a way that is both manageable and useful.
Hands: Includes her front paws, arms, elbows, and shoulders.
Feet: Refers to her back paws, ankles, knees, and hips.
Back: Covers her spine and upper rear area.
Belly: Encompasses both her stomach and chest.
Ears: Allows her to indicate ear-related sensations.
Butt: Is her private areas.
The Importance of Regional Labels
If Pharaby ever needs to tell me something about her body, she doesn’t need to pinpoint an exact location—she just needs to give me an idea of where the issue is. Breaking it down into regions allows for:
Efficient communication: She can quickly express general discomfort without needing dozens of extra buttons.
Practical space management: Buttons are limited, so I need to prioritize words that give her the most utility.
Natural learning: This method mirrors how young children learn body parts before refining their vocabulary.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
I’ve seen people assume that I structured Pharaby’s buttons this way out of ignorance, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This setup is a deliberate choice to make communication easier and more effective for her. While some may prefer different labels, my goal is to ensure that Pharaby has a system that works for her needs both now and in the future.
This setup isn’t just for Pharaby—it’s something that could work for many other dogs & cats, too! If you’re thinking about teaching your dog body part names, consider how to make it both practical and functional within your available space.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is giving our pets a voice and a way to communicate with us in a way that makes sense to them.
