# Sensor board for dog training

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/sensor-board-for-dog-training/3259>\
**Category:** Projects\
**Created:** [17 August 2018 02:31 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/sensor-board-for-dog-training/3259 "2018-08-17T02:31:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alison68404](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Alison68404](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Alison68404)\
**Post date:** [17 August 2018 02:31 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/sensor-board-for-dog-training/3259/1 "2018-08-17T02:31:58Z")

</div>

Hi!,

I want to create something similar to this: [http://www.nosetouch.com/hit\_it.htm](http://www.nosetouch.com/hit_it.htm)

I am guessing a force sensor is being used. What products would I need to get to make this at home? Other than the covering plank of wood.

Thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/stephen/32/1599_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen)\
**Post date:** [17 August 2018 03:27 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/sensor-board-for-dog-training/3259/2 "2018-08-17T03:27:38Z")

</div>

Hi Alison!

This should be pretty simple project! A good way would be a force sensor like you suggested. You just need to design the plate in a way so that the force of a step is focused onto the sensors. Imagine making it with very shot feet with a force sensor at the bottom of two of the feet. An Arduino Uno would work as the controller, and you could write a short sketch to read the voltage change from the force sensor, and activate a piezo buzzer for your tone.

I would start with two of these:

> **[Flexiforce Pressure Sensor - 25lbs.](https://core-electronics.com.au/flexiforce-pressure-sensor-25lbs.html)**
>
> This is a piezoresistive force sensor from Tekscan. The harder you press, the lower the sensor’s resistance. Pressing hard, the resistance changes from infinite to ~300k. The sensor itself is thin and flexible, but the resistance does not change...

  
You might be able to get away with lower weight sensors. I think they will just max out when you exceed their rated rate.

One of these:

> **[Arduino Uno R3](https://core-electronics.com.au/arduino-uno-r3.html)**
>
> The Arduino UNO is the most used board in the family of Arduino boards. If you are starting out with Arduino, this is the board to get.

  
or equivalent.

And one of these:

> **[Small Enclosed Piezo w/Wires](https://core-electronics.com.au/small-enclosed-piezo-w-wires.html)**
>
> This small (14mm diameter) piezo element is nicely enclosed so you can attach easily. Piezo elements convert vibration to voltage or voltage to vibration. That means .. read more

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/stephen/32/1599_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen)\
**Post date:** [17 August 2018 03:30 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/sensor-board-for-dog-training/3259/3 "2018-08-17T03:30:39Z")

</div>

Actually, when I put up that last link I thought of a much simpler way:

Use this to detect the board shaking when your dog steps on it. Just tape or glue it to the wood.

> **[Piezo Element](https://core-electronics.com.au/piezo-element.html)**
>
> Piezo elements come in handy when you need to detect vibration or a knock. You can use these for tap or knock sensors pretty easily by reading the voltage on the output. They can also be used for a very small audio transducer such as a buzzer.

Then use an Arduino to control, and the enclozed Piezo to make a beep!

You can find tutorials and an online workshop on our tutorials that will walk you through how to use an Arduino and how to read from sensors such as these:

> **[Core Electronics | Core Electronics Australia](https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/arduino/)**
>
> Core Electronics is a retailer for electronics in Australia including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Sparkfun and Adafruit products. Fast shipping and support.

  

> **[Arduino Workshop for Beginners - Tutorial](https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/arduino-workshop-for-beginners.html)**
>
> Welcome to the Arduino Workshop, where you'll be able to follow our guided course which covers everything you'll need to know in order to create your own Arduino projects and become a leveled up maker. My name is Sam and along with being a maker...