In this lesson students will view the film Dogs: The Early Years. They will use critical thinking skills to determine which breed of dog would best fit their personality and living situation. They will also write a short story from a dog’s perspective.

Overview

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Use critical thinking skills to make a decision on the choice of a dog
• Analyze information about breeds of dogs
• Write a children’s book from a dog’s point of view

Bookmark the following site:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

Standards

Language Arts

http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7&StandardID=2
Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing

Level 2 (Grade 3-5)

1. Uses descriptive language that clarifies and enhances ideas (e.g., common figures of speech, sensory details)  

2. Uses paragraph form in writing (e.g., indents the first word of a paragraph, uses topic sentences, recognizes a paragraph as a group of sentences about one main idea, uses an introductory and concluding paragraph, writes several related paragraphs)

3. Uses a variety of sentence structures in writing (e.g., expands basic sentence patterns)

Level 3 (Grade 6-8)

1. Uses descriptive language that clarifies and enhances ideas (e.g., establishes tone and mood, uses figurative language, uses sensory images and comparisons, uses a thesaurus to choose effective wording)  

2. Uses paragraph form in writing (e.g., arranges sentences in sequential order, uses supporting and follow-up sentences, establishes coherence within and among paragraphs)

3. Uses a variety of sentence structures to expand and embed ideas (e.g., complex sentences; parallel structure, such as similar grammatical forms or juxtaposed items)

4. Uses explicit transitional devices

Thinking and Reasoning
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=21&StandardID=6
Standard 6 Applies decision-making techniques

Working With Others
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=22&StandardID=1
Contributes to the overall effort of a group

Procedures for Teachers

Background Activities

Activity One

The purpose of this activity is for students to activate their background knowledge of dogs.

•  
  • Famous sayings that contain the word “puppy” or “dog”
  • Books/poems whose main character is a dog
  • Songs that refer to dogs
  • Jobs that utilize a dog’s skills

1. Break students into small groups and have them think of as many items as they can for the following categories: 

2. After the groups have finished, have them share their results.

3. Discuss why dogs have such an important role in people’s lives.

Steps

Activity One

The purpose of this activity is for students to use their critical thinking skills to select a breed of dog that would best fit their lifestyle.

1. Read the following scenario to your class:  

Because of the number of dogs that are put to sleep each year, a new law has been passed requiring anyone wishing to get a puppy to go through a screening process in order to receive a permit to own a dog.

2. Tell the students that they are each going to apply for a puppy permit, and will need to submit the following information to the Puppy Permit Board.

Part A
Write a brief statement explaining why you want to own a dog.

Part B
Answer the following questions:

• What is the inside of your house like?
• What is the outside of your house like?
• How many people live in your house?
• Do you have young children living in your house?
• Is anyone in your house allergic to dogs?
• Do you have many strangers coming to your house?
• How much time do you have to spend with a dog?
• How much money do you want to spend on a dog?
• How much time do you want to spend training a dog?
• How much time do you want to spend grooming a dog?

Part C
Send students to the Dog Breed Info Center Web site (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm) to read about various breeds of dogs and to select the breed of dog that would best fit their lifestyles. Tell students to write an explanation of why this particular breed is a good match for them.

•  
  • Do you think this breed of dog is suitable for this person’s
    living area? 
  • Do you think this breed is a good match for this person’s personality?
  • Do you think this person has enough time to spend with a dog?
  • Do you think this person is ready to own a dog?
  • (The board may choose to add questions of its own.)

3. Select a group of students to sit on the “Puppy Permit Board.” 

4. Allow time for every student to present his or her case to the board. (You may alternate members on the board so that the board members will be able to present their case to the board.)

5. Board members will either issue or deny the permit based on the following criteria:

Activity Two

The purpose of this activity is for students to write a picture book from a dog’s point of view.

•  
  • Spend 10-15 minutes sharing dog stories
  • Return to some of the stories and discuss how the story would be different if told from the dog’s point of view
  • Select one of the stories to turn into a children’s picture book
  • Work as a team to write and illustrate the story

1. Discuss the following quotation from “Dogs: The Early Years”: 

“Puppies learn from us, but they also teach us. One of the principle pleasures of raising a puppy is learning to think the way they do. Viewing the world through their eyes shows us ourselves from a new perspective and reveals our own quirks and foibles as the unique behavior of the human species. Our world widens when we see it through a puppy’s eyes.”

2. Break the students into groups of two or three students.

3. Give each group the following tasks to complete:

4. Share the completed books with a younger class.

Extension Activities

Have students contact their local Humane Society to gather information about unwanted pets. Ask students to create a school information campaign to educate the student body on this topic.

Organizers for Students

The following links will open a new window. Each new window will contain a Student Organizer or Activity sheet for you to print out. Close the new window to return to this page.

Background Activity | Activity One | Activity Two

Why do puppies make such wonderful pets? “If you have to ask, you’ve never owned a dog,” laughs Ellen Hovde of Middlemarch Films, one of the two producer-directors of NATURE’s Dogs: The Early Years. “It’s a matter of unquestioning love: you don’t get it from people, but you get it from dogs.”

Dogs and humans are ideal partners. That’s partly because the dog is a social animal that thrives in the company of his family, whether canine or human. Dogs are by nature loving, loyal, protective, and, in many cases, model employees: “Dogs began as wolves and were bred by human beings for very specific jobs,” Hovde explains. “You have dogs that were bred as workers, like service and seeing-eye dogs, hunting dogs, dogs that were bred as companions. For hundreds of years, we’ve been refining them.” The end result of this careful breeding: a species designed to be our ideal partners in work and play.

Dogs and humans are ideal partners

Has reading all this made you want a puppy of your own? Before you make your decision, think carefully. Puppies — who grow up to be bigger, somewhat less cute dogs — require lots of attention and more than a little cash. Imagine training a squirmy, energetic puppy to come, sit, and stay. Remember that for the rest of her life, you’ll be walking your pooch several times a day and paying for food, medical care, and supplies. Are you ready for the time commitment and financial responsibility? Will you still be in love with your adorable little puppy when she grows up to be a large, messy dog that may outweigh you? If the answer is still yes, here are some tips on achieving puppy love.

Mutts vs. Purebreds:

There are two basic varieties of puppies: purebreds and mixed breeds, sometimes called mutts or mongrels. If you adopt from a shelter, you’ll probably be taking home a mixed-breed dog. Owning a mutt comes with some advantages. For one thing, getting one can be much less expensive than purchasing a purebred from a breeder, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Then too, mutts are free of some of the genetic health problems from which purebred dogs can suffer. It’s also a wonderful feeling to know you’ve saved a dog’s life! Petfinder can help you locate a shelter in your area.

If you’re looking for a purebred, examine your motives: Are you trying to replace a dog you loved as a child? Do you admire a friend’s pedigreed pup? Have you always liked the looks of a particular breed? Think about it carefully. What makes a “good dog” is temperament and training, not looks. The most important thing about the puppy you take home is that you get along well.

Buyer Beware

If you have your heart set on taking home a specific breed, a breeder is the way to go. Inbreeding — the breeding of animals related to one another — can result in inborn illnesses in purebred dogs. Experts caution that many of the dogs for sale at pet stores come from “puppy mills” where inbreeding has led to health problems. So it’s important to get your purebred dog from a responsible breeder; even though it’s more expensive, your dog is much more likely to be healthy. To find a breeder near you, check out the American Kennel Club’s Breeder Referral Search.

Here are some people-friendly dog breeds:
Golden retriever: A warm, gentle, laid-back breed.
Shetland sheepdog: Very energetic and fun-loving, eager to please.
Labrador retriever: The ideal family dog, sweet-natured and loyal.
German shepherd: Intelligent, agreeable, obedient — a good all-around dog.
Maltese: Excellent with children, needs less exercise than larger breeds.
Poodle: Responsive, easy to train, and extraordinarily bonded to its humans.

No matter what kind of puppy you decide to take home, don’t make your decision based on looks alone. Spend as much time with the dog as you can and try to gauge her temperament: Is she shy? Friendly? Aggressive? See how she reacts to strangers and surprises like loud noises. Some early detective work can help you find just the right puppy for you.

Puppy Health

Once you get your puppy home, make sure that your new friend is in the best of health, physically and mentally. Here are some things you should expect to take care of:
Spaying/neutering: Fixing your puppy helps cut down on pet overpopulation.
Vet visits: Schedule an annual trip to the veterinarian for a routine examination that includes shots, and flea and tick prevention. A sick or injured dog may require more care, meaning higher bills.
Training: For your and his own safety, it’s essential to train your puppy to heed your commands, from “sit” to “stay,” “come” to “heel,” and many more. If you’re having trouble training him yourself, a local obedience school can work wonders.
Dog license: Your town may require that you license your dog and get a set of tags to show that she’s had her shots.

Essential Puppy Supplies

Keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe by having these on hand:Leash: Keep your puppy from running off when you go out. Leather leashes cost more than cotton or nylon ones, but can be more comfortable for you to hold.
Collar: Think loose: you should be able to get two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
I.D. tag: Put your phone number on your puppy’s tag in case she ever wanders off.
Dog brush: Brushing your puppy often will keep her coat healthy and shiny.
Shampoo: Experts recommend bathing your puppy about once a week.
Nail clippers: Clip your puppy’s nails regularly to keep them from cracking and splintering.
Food bowl: If your puppy is a larger variety, she may be more comfortable eating out of a raised dish.
Water dish: Every day, dogs need to consume about two and a half times as much water as food, so make sure to refill the bowl often with clean water.
Toys: If you don’t get him a toy to sink his teeth into, your puppy may give your shoe a chew instead

Choosing a puppy isn’t child’s play, as NATURE illustrates in Dogs: The Early Years.
Puppies of any breed enchant and beguile us. But choosing one as a pet solely on the basis of its visual appeal can lead to a mismatch with unfortunate consequences for both owner and dog. Dogs: The Early Years presents an incisive look at the breeding, behavior, and training of humankind’s best friend, including useful pointers on how to avoid mistakes when selecting a puppy.

To choose a compatible puppy for a relationship that will last the dog’s lifetime, it’s important to understand the history of the breeds the prospective owner is considering. Viewers are shown, for example, that dogs bred for the outdoor work of hunting, tracking, herding, or retrieving are not wise choices for people seeking a quiet companion or a gentle playmate for their children. Besides helping viewers make informed choices about puppies, the program illustrates the importance of proper training — also key to a satisfying relationship.

To order a copy of Dogs: The Early Years, please visit the NATURE Shop.

Online content for Dogs: The Early Years was originally posted September 2004.