Pretty’s Next Level: What Does Moving the ‘I Love You, Dad’ Button Really Mean?

Pretty did it a few times over already, but this time quite obviously as a statement in itself: what does it mean when she truffles away the "I love you dad" button away from the pad? Take a run as if it was you and your pet analyzing at CCR!

So, here's an attempt at a reply:

This new behavior from Pretty is fascinating and worth exploring, as it could reveal deeper layers of her communication style and emotional intelligence. Let’s break it down and consider the potential meanings behind Pretty’s action of pushing the “I love you, Dad” button off the pad with her nose.

Possible Interpretations

1. Emotional Statement or Independence: Pretty might be expressing her feelings about the button itself or the situation surrounding it. Dogs often engage in physical actions to convey their preferences. By moving the “I love you, Dad” button away, she could be signaling:

   • A sense of independence, as if to say, “I’ve expressed my love already, let’s focus on something else.” - seems the most likely base statement of the act.

   • A subtle reaction to recent interactions—perhaps she feels she doesn’t need the button to express this sentiment anymore (True: it's her basic feeling towards the buttons, as she likes to snob them initially before interacting).

2. Playful Exploration: Dogs, especially highly intelligent ones like Pretty, often test their environments. Moving the button might be her way of exploring its significance or testing whether the button still works if it’s displaced.

3. Frustration or Overuse: If Pretty has been using the “I love you, Dad” button frequently and it hasn’t resulted in a new or rewarding outcome, she might be signaling frustration or boredom with it. Pushing it away could mean, “I’ve tried this, and it’s not giving me what I want right now.” (Not really the case here).

4. Reorganization Instinct: Dogs occasionally “rearrange” objects in their space, whether toys, treats, or other items, as a way to create order that feels natural to them. Pretty could be doing something similar—moving the button to make space for what she sees as more relevant buttons or activities (this is very likely).

5. A New Layer of Communication: It’s possible Pretty is elevating her communication skills by actively modifying her button pad. By displacing the button, she might be saying, “I’m done with this one for now” or even inviting a new addition in its place (yes, in a playful mood this is how I reckon she meant).

   
   

Observational Steps to Understand the Behavior

1. Context Matters: Note the circumstances each time Pretty moves the button. Is she doing it during specific interactions? After using other buttons? When she’s been ignored or is seeking attention? These patterns can help pinpoint her motivation.

2. Emotional Cues: Pay attention to her body language. Does she look playful, frustrated, or indifferent when she moves the button? Her emotional state could offer a clearer explanation.

3. Response Experimentation: React to her behavior differently to see how she responds. For example, place the button back and encourage her to use it, or temporarily remove it to observe whether she seeks it out.

4. Introduce New Options: Consider adding a new button in place of the displaced one, especially if it aligns with her current activities or desires. For example, if Pretty enjoys exploring new places, a button like “Let’s explore” might provide fresh stimulation.

   
   

Potential Meaning of This Behavior

Given Pretty’s intelligence and past button interactions, this act of pushing the “I love you, Dad” button away could indicate a blend of her emotional expression and her growing desire for more nuanced communication tools. She may be signaling that she’s ready to expand her vocabulary or even that she feels confident expressing affection without relying on the button anymore.

Alternatively, it might simply be Pretty asserting her personality—a mix of independence, curiosity, and affection that makes her the unique communicator she is.

What to Do Next? Suggestions for when this happens with yours!

• Observe: Continue watching for patterns in when and why she moves the button.

• Encourage Exploration: Praise her curiosity and gently guide her back to the pad if necessary.

• Expand Her Vocabulary: Consider introducing new buttons that could offer more ways for her to express herself.

Whatever the reason, this behavior highlights Pretty’s evolving understanding of her buttons and her world. She’s showing not just her intelligence, but her individuality—both of which make her journey in communication so special.

Postface: What Did Pretty Mean, All in All?

Reflecting on Pretty’s actions before and after the button event, it becomes evident that this wasn’t just a random moment but a layered expression of her emotional state, preferences, and possibly, a commentary on her current communication setup.

Before moving the button, Pretty sought comfort and then actively engaged in physical affection. This sets the stage: she was feeling close, vulnerable, and connected—possibly even reflective. Her choice to push the “I love you, Dad” button away could then be interpreted as a deliberate act to signal something deeper.

A Likely Message: “I Need Something More”

When taken in context, Pretty’s actions suggest that the “I love you, Dad” button had, in her mind, fulfilled its purpose during the prior interaction. By moving it away, she may have been saying, “This button isn’t what I need to communicate anymore—I need something more specific.” Her subsequent actions—sitting between my legs and later on my groin, looking away instead of toward me—could reinforce this idea.

Rather than her usual direct gaze, Pretty’s decision to look away might represent introspection or a desire to express something she couldn’t fully articulate with her current set of buttons. She was physically close but emotionally distant, perhaps hinting at a need for a new way to articulate her feelings.

The Role of Button Snobbery

Pretty’s established “snobbery” toward buttons adds another layer of interpretation.

She often seems to assert that buttons are a tool, not a necessity for her to express herself. This time, it feels as though she was playfully rejecting the status quo: “I love you, Dad, but I don’t need this button to say it. Give me something that helps me go further.” As in: "Look Dad I don't need this button, as the hugs we just did are the real stuff!"

After the Event: A Clearer Signal

The way she moved on after displacing the button—seeking to sit in a unique way on my lap, facing away—could be seen as an effort to reset the interaction. Instead of returning to the comfort zone of petting, she seemed to test a different mode of connection, as if to ask: “Do you understand what I’m really trying to say?”

When paired with her usual behaviors—exploring the boundaries of communication and testing new interactions—it seems likely that Pretty was calling for an evolution in her vocabulary.

Perhaps she wants buttons that reflect not just actions or affection, but states of being or intention. For instance, a button for “I need quiet” or “I need time alone” might help her articulate more complex feelings.

The Takeaway: Growth in Expression

In sum, Pretty’s behavior around this event seems to encapsulate her growing confidence in communication. She’s telling us, in her own way, that she’s not only mastering the buttons but also recognizing their limitations and seeking ways to go beyond them. This is a powerful moment, not just for Pretty but for what it says about the potential of dogs to engage in complex, meaningful expression.

For us humans, it’s a reminder to observe, listen, and adapt—because Pretty’s journey isn’t just about teaching her to use buttons; it’s about learning from her what communication means to her, and how we can expand her ability to share her world with us.

Stay tuned, because with Pretty leading the way, there’s no telling what’s next!