Pretty’s Party Protocol: The Button-Pushing Masterclass We Didn’t Know We Needed

At CCR, we have often said that Pretty, our 9-year-old English Springer Spaniel, is more than just a bright pup—she’s a communicator, a mood-setter, and sometimes, an unrepentant button-powered social orchestrator. Today’s episode? A full-blown button-pushing masterclass, complete with a mail run, a cuddle cascade, a snack session, and a celebratory bathroom break to top it all off.

We present to you: Pretty’s Button Party Protocol.

(AKA: How to speak fluent dog in 5 moves or less.)

Act I – The Classic: Mail = Mission

It began as it often does.

Pretty approached the button pad and pressed her long-standing favorite:

“On va chercher le courrier” (Let’s go fetch the mail).

I barely had time to acknowledge before she leapt up with the full-body excitement of a dog who knows this is her moment to shine. We stepped outside, mission accomplished. She sniffed, checked the gate, verified the wind, and supervised the full operation like a seasoned postmaster general.

But little did I know—we were only at Step One.

Act II – The Emotional Economy of Cuddles

We returned indoors, and instead of settling down, Pretty made a swift turn toward her button pad.

She pressed again:

“On va chercher le courrier.”

Confused? Don’t be. That was just her segue—because hot on the tail of that was:

“Tu veux un câlin ?” (Do you want a cuddle?)

This wasn’t a question. This was Pretty’s not-so-subtle way of saying:

“So… I did the whole outdoor job. You do want to thank me with a cuddle, right?”

Cue the snuggles. Face nuzzles, belly rolls, the full fluffy cuddle parade. Pretty was clearly in party mode—and we were only halfway through her agenda.

Act III – Slide to the Snacks: The Art of Implied Treats

Just when you think she’s done, Pretty levels up.

During a cuddle, she casually wandered over to the pad and, with what can only be described as a strategic swipe, executed a push-glide move across two buttons.

The result?

“Ça fait bobo papa” (which usually means “It hurts, Dad”),

but in fact… this was a misfire turned masterstroke. Because it was clearly aimed at:

“On va dans la cuisine.”

Let’s pause here.

Pretty knows what button she wants. But she also knows how to weaponize context:

“See, I just did all the work. Then gave emotional value. Now, surely, this is the natural evolution: a treat. In the kitchen. Let’s go.”

Pretty isn’t just pressing buttons—she’s creating conversational build-up.

Act IV – The Digestive Denouement

After the mail, the cuddle, and the snack, Pretty had one final, important note to conclude her party.

From her favorite outdoor-facing spot in the kitchen, she signaled independently that she wanted to go out again. But this time, she didn’t need company.

It was the doggy equivalent of a French exit—discreet, purposeful, and undoubtedly related to a post-snack digestive mission.

Conclusion – The Party is the Protocol

This entire sequence was not random.

It followed a precise, emotionally intelligent logic that only a dog like Pretty could have internalized and performed with such elegance:

1. Task → “Let’s go fetch the mail.”

2. Emotional return → “Want a cuddle?”

3. Reward escalation → “Let’s go to the kitchen.”

4. Wrap-up → Self-requested garden time.

She didn’t just ask for things—she built a narrative, invited participation, and closed the loop with perfect comedic and social timing.

Lessons from Pretty’s Protocol

At CCR, we study these moments not just for their charm but for what they reveal about canine cognition:

• Dogs are capable of sequencing behaviors based on experience and desired outcomes.

• They show an emerging sense of emotional reciprocity—Pretty didn’t just want a treat; she built up to it.

• They can initiate and structure interactions the way a human might guide a casual afternoon with friends.

This isn’t button-pushing.

This is dog-powered storytelling.

So, if you ever wonder what your dog might do with a button pad, take it from Pretty:

They might just throw you a party.

Stay tuned for more of Pretty’s adventures—and remember, if your dog starts combining “mail,” “cuddle,” and “treat” into one session, you might just have a future professor of Pet University on your hands.

Until next time, happy buttoning!