This is probably the world’s smartest dog. At least we think so. Copper’s mom, Tia, is a speech language pathologist and she works with kids who have augmentative and alternative communication devices.
She’s applied her experience to helping her fur kid communicate. She was inspired by another woman who is a speech language pathologist and used buttons to communicate with her dog.
So when Copper was a puppy Tia began to teach Copper to “talk.”
Copper can now communicate a whole range of things like when she wants to go outside for a walk or for potty. Or, if she wants to be petted or to play.
She also can tell her family when she’s upset that someone is leaving or if she has an “ouchy.” The last thing, telling her mom if she hurts and where is a big reason Tia has persisted in teaching Copper.
Not only is Copper able to say if she’s hurting she also shows concern if her mom is possibly hurting. For example, Copper got worried when her mom coughed.
How amazing is that? Copper and Tia are part of the They Can Talk program. As one viewer commented, this is a great study and we’re sure it will be helpful to humans and animals in the future.
One viewer commented, “Uncanny. Almost surreal. Imagine our pets being able to tell us why they don’t feel well. I think I saw this done with a cat as well. Copper is just adorable. It feels so good seeing how loved she is.”
“When she talked about in case of a medical need, that she wanted Copper to tell her when and where she was hurting, that got me,” wrote another viewer. “I had to put my Riley to sleep last year and I wish he could’ve told me when and where something hurt. Hell, just hearing that he loved me back would’ve meant the world to me. Animals show you their love, but to hear it? Just, WOW.”
