Talking Signs arrived

I got my talking signs yesterday. I ended up buying 6 of the Go Talk Buttons and 3 Talking Symbols. The Talking Symbols are twice the price of the Go Talk Buttons per sign.

The sound quality appears to be stronger and better on the Talking Symbols. Both will allow 10 seconds of recording.

Both have a small red LED that lights up when recording and when playing. The Go Talk Button takes one battery and the Talking Symbol three.

The magnet in the Talking Symbols is stronger than the Go Talk Button. The Talking Symbols come with velcro as well.

Just to get the dogs using them I recorded "yes" on both and rewarded them for getting it to play back the recording.

The Talking Symbols are more sensitive as well. My dogs had to often paw several times at the Talking Button before actually pressing the button and making it play the recording. Taari my younger sheltie (13lb and 14" at the withers) has become better at it so it may just be a matter practice. The Buttons move quite a bit and at one point last night Taari was starting to play with it like she does a Babble ball (a ball that plays phrases when moved). It was amusing to see her batting it around between her paws. There is a larger surface to touch on the Talking Symbols (more than 4 times the area of the Button). The Go Talk Button requires more pressure than the Talking Symbol.

It is not readily apparent which one is more robust. The Go Talk Buttons may be more slobber proof given that the Talking Symbols have a grill over the speaker. The speaker appears to be made of metal though. It is my plan to have the dogs paw the talking signs so hopefully slobber will not be an issue.

I think that the Go Talk Buttons will need to be placed in something or attached to a board to hold them still. I will have to think more about this.

The Talking Symbols could be used on their own as is.

Here is a Youtube video showing both kinds of talking signs and Taari playing with them.