LESSON 1: Grades K-3
WHAT DO DOGS NEED?

Show-Me Standards: Academic Goals: 1.6, 1.10, 2.5, 3.1, 3.6, 3.7, 4.6, 4.7 Knowledge Goals: Communication Arts: 6; Science: 3; Physical Education: 5

Objective: To teach children about the basic needs of dogs and to help them understand the similarities between the needs of pets and those of people.

Other articles to add discussion for this:

Dogs: Are they Inside Pets or Outside Pets?

Various studies show that indoor pets are safer,  cost much less in long term care and vet visits and  can prevent children's asthma and even cure some cases.

Allergies Can Help With Asthma    also  HERE are several similar studies

U C Berkley Researchers Promote pets indoors at night.

ABC News researches  Indoor vs: Outdoor pets

Materials:

• "Design Your Own Pet Tag" handout
• "Pets and People Match-up" cards
• Hole Punch
• String

Method: Both children and pets need people to take care of them; they are incapable of meeting their own basic needs. While a young child requires the constant care of parents, pets need a family, as well, to provide for them. What kinds of things must we have in order to be healthy and happy? We need food, water, shelter, exercise, medical care and love. Pets must have all of these things, too!

We are going to play a game called "Pets and People Match-up!" First, I will show you a picture of something that we, as people, need. Then, you will find the picture that matches the same need for your pet. As you match needs, talk about why each need is so important for both people and pets.

Card Matches:	Need Represented:
Child/Dad playing ball - Dog playing with ball	Exercise and fun
Mother feeding baby - Mother & son feeding dog	Nutrition
Boy sleeping - Dog sleeping	Sleep and shelter
Man hugging girl - Boy hugging pet rabbit	Love and companionship
Child at doctor - Dog at Veterinarian	Medical care
Child getting bathed - Dog getting bathed	Proper hygiene, grooming
Girl drinking bottled water - Dog drinking water	Water/hydration
Boy getting dressed - Dog with collar, I.D. tag, and leash	Clothing/I.D. (without a collar and nametag, pets are naked!)
What would happen if each of these needs weren't met?

Now we're going to sing a song to help remind us to care for our pets each day. Let's sing the "Love Your Pets" Song. (Sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat).
Love, love, love your pets,
Love them every day.
Give them food
And water, too,
Then let them Run and play.

Call to Action: Give the children an opportunity to practice meeting pets' needs. Have half of the children pretend to be pet owners and let the other half pretend to be their pets. Have the owners do pretend activities such as feeding, walking, petting and playing with their "pets." Then, reverse the roles.

Distribute the "Design Your Own Pet Tag" handout. Ask each student to create an ID tag for a pet. Reinforce the information that should be included on an ID tag. Punch a hole at the top of each ID tag and insert string. What could happen if your pet escaped outside without an ID tag? Why is it important that each individual pet have a collar with an ID tag?

Have the children bring their tags home to remind their parents that dogs and cats must have proper identification.

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.