This Houston-area Goldendoodle can communicate in over 70 words in English and some in Spanish – Houston Public Media

Patricia Ortiz/Houston Public Media

Have you ever wondered what your dog would say to you if he could talk?

Baxter the Goldendoodle, or Doodle Boy Bax on social media, is one of the few dogs who can tell their owners exactly what snack they have in mind. He might ask for ice in his water or besitos (Spanish for kisses) from his “mom,” Monica Hicks.

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Baxter communicates through mats on the floor with buttons. When he presses one, a personalized word sounds.

“This is where skeptics will say, ‘Well, he just pushed five different buttons.’ But you really have to pay attention to the context,” Hicks said.

Hicks said the idea to teach Baxter to “talk” came from social media. One of his Instagram videos has been viewed more than 850,000 times. In the video, Baxter communicates with delivery people who are setting up a dining table in their home.

“Oh my gosh,” Hicks said. “That video was one of the best interactions we’ve had with other people in the house. … It was really fun to see him become more comfortable with other people and communicating with other people.”

Baxter’s limited vocabulary includes words like “pupicle” or “zoomies.” He may also ask to “poop” outside or express when he is “angry.”

“A couple days ago, Baxter went to his board and said, ‘Water.’ And he kept asking for water. My husband and I were having dinner. And we said, ‘Do you have any water,’” Hicks said. “He came back to the board. He said, ‘Water,’ ‘I’m mad.’ We asked him, ‘Why are you mad?’ So there’s definitely some kind of disconnect. And then he said, ‘Water, a snack.’”

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Hicks said she understood Baxter was trying to ask her for ice cream. She said she sometimes gives him some when the weather gets warmer.

Baxter’s method of communication is called augmentative interspecies communication, Hicks explained. The term comes from a similar method of communication for people with speech disorders, known as augmentative and alternative communication.

While the interspecies version is still understudied, some pet owners have signed up for a study that is still ongoing at the University of California, San Diego. The study is trying to determine how well animals can communicate with their humans. Hicks said that while she is not yet part of the study, she has signed up for it.

Patricia Ortiz/Houston Public Media

Hicks isn’t the first to teach his pet to communicate. Other social media stars, like “whataboutbunny,” have been known to convey existential questions. Christina Hunger, who leads the Hunger for Words movement, is credited with teaching Stella, the world’s first talking dog, to speak.

For Hicks, this movement is “very millennial.” She says she’s a millennial herself, and more and more millennials are waiting to have children.

“I think they’re craving a deeper connection. And the pandemic has definitely contributed to that, because they’ve been spending a lot more time at home,” she said. “One of the reasons Baxter has been able to push as many buttons as he has is that I have a lot of time to devote to that right now.”

Hicks added that she was formerly a teacher, which she said helped her develop patience while training Baxter.

“When you teach kids, you’re constantly modeling and you’re constantly repeating things. You’re like a parrot, repeating the same thing over and over to make sure they’re getting it,” she said. “So I took those skills and carried them over into my own relationship with Baxter.”