DaVoice Dog Button for Communication System Instructions
- June 6, 2024
- DaVoice
Table of Contents
DaVoice Dog Button for Communication System
We know you are super excited to receive your new DaVoice Pet Communication System, and we are excited for you! There are a few things that we need to cover before you get started, to ensure you have success in setting up your buttons properly before you start training your pet.
Batteries – Not Included.
To ensure we provide you the absolute best quality product, we did not want to
ship or store batteries as they could get old (or even damaged and leak).
We ask that you invest in good name brand batteries such as Duracell. Generic
batteries can have a lower voltage rate and cause the buttons to not work
properly. You will need to purchase (12) AAA batteries total (each button
takes 2 AAA batteries).
Recording Your Voice and Testing the Results
Before you start the process of recording your words into the buttons, take a
moment to stop and think about what you want your dog to be able to say to
you. Some words that our dog Rosa likes to use are: Nummy, Love You, Potty,
Water, Outside, Play. You could also use Bye-Bye, Walk, Yes, No, or even
names.
Also, think about the emotion and tone of your voice you normally use when encouraging your pet. This is the tone of voice you should use when you speak into the microphone to record your word. If you are mad at your kids, signifi cant other, or neighbor, you should wait to make your recordings.
Your tone, volume of voice, and the distance you hold the microphone away from your face will greatly determine how the recording sounds. If you are using a loud voice and are holding the microphone too close to your face, then you will just end up with a muffl ed recording that will not sound like the word. We will explain how to avoid this in detail in the following setup instructions, how to properly make a recording. Make your recordings and test the sound quality BEFORE attaching the buttons to the mat with the Velcro. Also determine what order you want the colors to be in BEFORE attaching the Velcro.
Velcro
WAIT! Please wait 24 hours for the adhesive on the Velcro to cure after
installation. Wait the full 24 hours BEFORE removing the buttons from the mat
for the fi rst time. The adhesive needs time to set properly, so the Velcro can
be used over and over again.
INSTRUCTIONS
- There are six custom-recordable buttons included with dichromatic color-coded tops consisting of the following colors: Black, White, Gray, Yellow, Blue, Purple. Each button also contains a high-quality metal speaker, microphone, metal spring with paw-pressing sensitivity for smaller pets, and a circuit board design with a non-repeating/non-looping feature.
- Follow steps 3-15 below to setup each button for the Pet Communication System.
- Turn the button upside down.
- Take the battery cover off and insert 2 AAA Batteries (with correct polarity) into each button.
- Put the battery cover back on.
- How to properly make a recording starts here: Put the switch on REC for recording.
- IMPORTANT: Hold the button arm’s length AWAY from your face while recording, with the bottom facing you, see picture.
- Hold down / squeeze the button (it will beep once, which means it is ready for you to record).
- Say the word into the button in an encouraging tone of voice.
- Release the button top (it will beep twice, which means it is done recording).
- Put the switch on PLAY.
- Turn the button face up.
- Push the button to listen to your recording.
- If satisfi ed with the recording, go to step 16.
- If not satisfi ed with the recording, repeat steps 6-13 after reading this: By experimenting with the volume of your voice and the position of the button while you are recording, you can signifi cantly improve the button audio quality and reduce distortion.
The microphone is located on the underside of the button—it is a small hole around the size of a pen tip and is labeled MIC. Make sure the microphone is uncovered when you are recording. If the microphone is covered while recording, it produces static. When speaking too close to the microphone, the microphone can be overpowered—causing the playback to be signifi cantly distorted and muffl ed. Speak clearly, but not particularly loudly. The button will adjust its volume to compensate if the volume is low, but it cannot compensate for volume that is too high. Because of the button’s size, higher-pitched sounds tend to be better reproduced than lower ones, so adjusting the pitch of your voice can also be a way of improving the audio the button produces. Getting it right can take a few attempts. Keep trying until you get it right, you will be pleased with the results. - After you are satisfi ed with the quality of your recordings, determine the order you would like your colored buttons to be in on the mat.
- Place the Non-Skid mat against a wall, face up – the mat has a modern low-profi le design printed with six button placements.
- install the Velcro hook and loom circle sets onto each button foot (There are 24 sets of hook and loom, 4 sets per button, 1 set for each button foot, install the adhesive side of each hook and loom circle set accordingly: 1 adhesive towards the button foot and the other adhesive towards the mat)
- Place each dichromatic color-coded button in the order you would like the colors to be in, onto a printed button placement on the Non-Skid Mat. The adhesive of the hook and loom will stick to the mat circle.
- Now your Pet Communication System is complete and ready for use.
- Optionally, you can un-attach and reattach each button from the mat for training purposes or reorder the colors of the buttons on the mat (please wait 24 hours for the Velcro hook and loom adhesive to cure before removing the buttons from the mat for the fi rst time).
- Optional, you could use labels and write or print the words on them and attach them to the mat in front of the matching button (this is to help you remember which button says what word). Labels are not included.
Troubleshooting & Q &A
My recording does not sound loud enough, or sounds mu ffl ed or unclear, how
do I fi x it?
If the word or message does not sound loud enough, try again, but hold the
button just a little closer (but not near your face). If the word or message
sounds mu ffl ed, you are holding the button too close to your face while making
the recording, try again but hold the button further away. Also try adjusting
the volume of your voice and your tone. See step 15 for more help on making a
proper recording.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks?
Yes, you can. However, it requires more time and training than teaching a
young dog or puppy. Training Videos can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChX2GZ41V7IImvgBeWNjB-w
Can I record the message on the buttons myself?
Of course! Our custom designed buttons allow to you record any word or message
up to 7 seconds long on each button.
Can I change the message on the button?
Yes, you can re-record whatever words you would like on the button at any
time. (Please allow 24 hours for the Velcro adhesive to cure BEFORE removing
the button from the mat for the fi rst time).
Can my pet accidentally erase the message on the button?
No, our custom designed buttons are made specifi cally to prevent this from
happening. The REC/PLAY switch is on the underside of the button and not
accessible by the pet.
Are batteries included?
No, you will need to purchase 12 AAA batteries (each button takes 2 AAA
batteries, not included) Note: Please invest in a good brand of battery such
as Duracell, as generic batteries can have a lower voltage rate and cause the
buttons to not work properly.
My button is skipping and not working properly, how do I fi x it?
Please make sure you have fresh, name brand batteries installed with the
correct polarity. When the batteries get low, the button may play only part of
the word.
My Velcro is no longer working. Do you sell more?
Not currently, but Velcro is readily available at most stores and online.
Purchase Includes:
- 6 – DaVoice Dichromatic Custom Colored Recordable Buttons (batteries not included)
- 1 – Give Them DaVoice Non-Skid Mat
- 24 – Velcro for attaching the buttons to the mat
- Instructions & Links to Videos on Training
My button is not playing the word. What did I do wrong?
Make sure you have fresh, name brand batteries installed with the correct
polarity. After you record your voice on the button, you must put the switch
back on PLAY to hear it. If the button beeps, you still have the switch on
REC.
Should I leave the DaVoice Pet Communication System unattended with my Pet
while I am at work?
We do not recommend that you leave the DaVoice Pet Communication System with
your pet while you are away from home. This can result in frustration for your
pet! Once they are trained to communicate with you by pushing the buttons, if
you are not around to respond, they may decide to take their frustration out
on the buttons or mat, and chew on them. We recommend having the buttons setup
in a room where you could shut the door while you are away to keep your pet
from getting frustrated.
I love my DaVoice Pet Communication System, but I need more than 6 buttons!
Can I buy more than one set and use them together for my pet?
Absolutely! Our dog Rosa uses 3 sets of our DaVoice Pet Communication Systems
and knows a total of 18 words. We put the additional sets in front of the
other ones and overlap the mats a bit. We recommend putting the button colors
in a diff erent order on the mats for the additional sets, so it will be easier
for your pet to recognize the new words. Also please keep in mind that pets do
remember button placements, so if you are adding additional mats, keep the
original set of buttons in the same location on the fl oor.
Can I return my DaVoice Pet Communication System?
Before returning, please read and follow ALL included instructions. It is up
to you to make a clear voice recording by following the included methods, and
by using a good brand of fresh batteries. We know it can be frustrating, but
please take the time to make a proper recording.
Our buttons are made of the highest quality components on the market. We did extensive testing before deciding on our components. Any returns will need to be received in the exact same shape as when they arrived to you to receive a refund.
If you need further assistance, please call us at 1-800-260-9809 and our friendly staff will assist you. Also, please reference our training videos if you are having diffi culty with training your pet. Make sure you are encouraging your pet when they press a button and praise and reward them to begin with until they are trained. Also please keep in mind that pets do remember button placements, so if you are rearranging the button orders it can confuse them.
About Rosa the Dog and the DaVoice Pet Communication System
Have you ever wished that your pet could tell you that they love you? Or
wished they could tell you when they need to go potty?
Well now your wishes can come true, as your pet can literally talk to you with
our DaVoice Pet Communication System! Teach your pet how to speak with our
custom recordable buttons. You can record your own words into the buttons
yourself to say exactly what you want your pet to be able to communicate or
say to you. Stop trying to read your pet’s mind and Give Them DaVoice Pet
Communication Buttons.
The buttons are dichromatic colors specifi cally for dogs and cats, as they cannot see certain colors like humans can, such as red, orange, or green. But they can easily see our custom-colored dichromatic buttons, which helps them diff erentiate which colored button says what word. Your pet will be super excited to fi nally be able to communicate with you, their best friend!
The DaVoice Pet Communication System also comes with a low profi le, stylish durable mat, and Velcro to keep your pet communication buttons in order, and out of the way against the wall. The mat also has a non-skid backing to keep the mat in place, and the mat easily wipes clean. We have also found using canned air is a great way to clean the mat without having to move it or any of the buttons. Then just vacuum around the mat to pick up the pet hair.
You might be thinking, how in the world do I teach my pet to push buttons? Well, it is much easier than you might think. We fi rst taught Rosa how to press a button when she was 9 months old. She learned how in 1 ½ days with motivational treats (this is not necessarily a great idea by the way as she associated pushing buttons with treats at fi rst) but it helped us move things along at a faster pace. We provide training videos to help you teach your pet how to push buttons, so they can learn to communicate with you. Some words that our dog, Rosa, likes to use are: Nummy, Love You, Potty, Water, Outside, Play, Bye-Bye, Walk, Yes, No, Mommy, Daddy.
Rosa likes to tattle on her sister, Daisy. If she steals her treat, she runs to the buttons and pushes “Daisy”. If Rosa’s dad is outside mowing the lawn, she goes over to the buttons and combines words and pushes “Daddy” and then “Outside”. With patience, time and eff ort, your pet can do this too.
Rosa has been training on buttons for almost two years and has 18 buttons that she uses to communicate with us. If your dog already knows how to shake, then you can teach your dog how to press a button fast. You can learn more at our YouTube Channel, which can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChX2GZ41V7IImvgBeWNjB-w