LESSON
1:
Grades
4-6
ARE
YOU
READY
FOR
A
DOG?
Show-Me
Standards:
Academic
Goals:
1.2,
1.3,
1.8,
4.1,
4.2
Knowledge
Goals:
Communication
Arts:
6;
Science:
3
Objective:
To
introduce
students
to
the
concept
that
the
decision
to
adopt
a
pet
is
not
something
to
enter
into
lightly
and
to
teach
them
that
getting
a
pet
is a
long-term
commitment
of
12 -
15
years.
Do
NOT
take
another
life
lightly!
Materials:
- Stuffed Puppy
- Paper or poster board
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- "Pets are for Life" handout
Method:
Introduce
the
lesson
by
asking
students
to
review
what
the
word
"responsible"
means.
It
means
to
be
depended
on,
to
be
reliable,
to
be
held
accountable
for
the
care
of
someone
or
something.
To
be a
good
pet
owner,
you
must
be
responsible.
It
is
important
to
know
that
your
responsibilities
as a
pet
owner
begin
before
you
even
have
a
pet!
You
must
be
responsible
for
knowing
if
you
are
ready
to
make
a
pet
a
part
of
your
family;
and
if
so,
for
selecting
the
"right"
pet
for
you
and
your
family.
Dogs
make
wonderful
family
pets.
They
are
loving
and
loyal
animals.
They
can
be
an
endless
source
of
fun
and
friendship
for
you
and
your
family.
But,
they're
also
a
BIG
responsibility.
A
dog
relies
on
you
for
everything
-
his
food,
water,
shelter,
exercise,
grooming,
companionship,
training,
veterinary
care
and
protection.
Know
what
you
are
getting
into.
Before
you
get
a
puppy
or
dog,
stop
and
consider:
- Time: How much time do you and your family have each day to devote to a pet? Dogs require about 2-4 hours of care each day. Puppies require more work than adults.
- Human Medical Issues: Are there any allergies or medical conditions in your family that a pet may aggravate? Consult a doctor before considering a pet.
- Cost: Can your family afford a pet? First year costs for a new dog or puppy average anywhere from $750-$1,500 depending on the size. Expenses don't stop there. Dogs live 10-15 years.
- Housing: Can you properly house the dog? Will your landlord allow you to have pets? If so, is there a size limit or additional deposit? If you cannot make a dog a family member by allowing him to live inside and have plenty of exercise outside in a safely fenced area, reconsider. Dogs are social animals that don't want to live outside chained and alone. It is cruel to banish a dog to the back yard with little more than a dog house, food, and water.
- Lifestyle: What kind of life do you and your family have? Are you an active family that spends a lot of time outdoors? Are you a more sedentary family that prefers to stay indoors to read and watch television? You need to find a breed that fits your lifestyle. Some breeds need lots of exercise daily; others do okay with one half hour walk. If dogs don't get the exercise they need, they may develop behavioral problems.
- Grooming: All dogs need grooming. This includes brushing hair, trimming the nails, cleaning teeth, and cleaning ears. Some dogs may require regular trips to a professional groomer. Will your family mind dog hair on the sofa and floor?
- Need: Why do you want a dog? For companionship, to participate in sports, protection, or hunting? What is the "right" reason to get a pet? Research different breeds.
- Experience: Are you an experienced dog owner or are you a beginner? Some breeds may be more challenging for a beginner. A popular breed may not be the one for you.
- Long Term Commitment: Are you ready to care for a pet for 12-20 years? That is the average length of a dog's life. Is your family prepared to make a commitment to a dog even through changes such as moving or a new baby? Will you care for your dog as she ages? Just like people, dogs can develop more health problems with age.
- Where to Find Your Dream Dog: Your local animal shelter, animal control, or rescue group is the ideal place to look for a pet. You can save a life by adopting a dog (or cat). If you're looking for a certain breed, approximately 1/3 of all shelter animals are purebred. Shelters also offer adoption counseling to ensure you find just the perfect match. Adoption fees often include the things your dog needs to get a good start in his or her new life - shots, spay/neuter surgery, and a health guarantee.
Distribute
the
"Pets
are
for
Life"
handout
for
review.
Call
to
Action:
Pretend
to
adopt
a
classroom
(stuffed)
puppy
for
one
week.
Read
about
different
breeds
to
determine
which
would
be
most
suitable.
What
type
of
puppy
did
you
select?
Why?
In
real
life,
would
a
puppy
be a
good
classroom
pet?
Why?
Create
a
chart
to
assign
care
duties
to
individual
students
or
teams
of
students
such
as
feeding,
watering,
walking,
cleaning
up
accidents,
crate
training,
cuddling,
grooming,
and
going
to
the
vet.
Related
Reading:
Visit
our
section
entitled
Recommended
Children's
Literature
for
a
comprehensive
listing
of
animal-related
books.
Websites:
Visit
our
section
entitled
Recommended
Web
Links
for
animal-related
web
sites.
