How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog

"How Stella Learned to Talk" is a wonderful book by Temple Grandin, author of "Animals in Translation," that tells the story of how a speech-language pathologist taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using paw-sized buttons. The book is a combination of memoir and how-to guide, providing simple steps for dog owners to start communicating with their pets.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

A truly remarkable and groundbreaking work, "Animals in Translation" by Temple Grandin, has captivated readers worldwide. This captivating true story, penned by the esteemed author, offers a surprisingly straightforward yet profoundly effective guide on teaching your dog to communicate through the use of simple paw-sized buttons, each associated with different words.

When speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger first welcomed her adorable puppy, Stella, into her home, she couldn't help but notice the profound connections between her profession and her new companion. During the day, she dedicated herself to working with toddlers who faced significant delays in language development, employing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to assist them in expressing themselves. As the sun set, her thoughts turned to the intriguing question: if dogs possess the ability to comprehend the words we speak to them, why can't they reciprocate? Could dogs utilize AAC to communicate with humans?

Driven by her curiosity and passion, Christina embarked on a mission to test her theory with Stella. She began using a paw-sized button programmed with her voice, associating it with the word "outside" whenever she took Stella out for a walk. Over time, Stella's vocabulary expanded, and she now boasts a bank of over thirty word buttons, which she uses daily to create near-complete sentences.

"How Stella Learned to Talk" is a captivating blend of memoir and practical guidance, chronicling the remarkable journey Christina and Stella have embarked upon. It captures the day they first met, the moment Stella uttered her first word, and the subsequent breakthroughs they have achieved together. The book also unveils the techniques Christina employed to teach Stella, meticulously broken down into simple stages and actionable steps that any dog owner can embrace to establish a meaningful communication channel with their beloved four-legged friend.

Throughout the pages of this remarkable book, readers are treated to heartfelt conversations between Stella and Christina, showcasing the depth of their bond and the remarkable strides they have made. The attention to detail and the genuine warmth portrayed in their interactions add an authentic and relatable dimension to the narrative.

Whether you're a dog owner seeking to enhance your furry companion's communication skills or simply an avid reader captivated by the extraordinary abilities of animals, "Animals in Translation" is a must-read. It serves as a testament to the power of human-animal connection and the boundless possibilities that arise when we open our hearts and minds to the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529053876