LessonTitle:Learningabouttakingcareofyourdog’shealthGradelevel:5thStandardsaddressed:Health,standard5.1,healthinformation (5.1) Health information. The student knows ways to enhance and maintain personal health throughout the life span. The student is expected to:

(A) examine and analyze food labels and menus for nutritional content; (B) apply information from the food guide pyramid to making healthy food choices; (C) identify foods that are sources of one or more of the six major nutrients; (D) calculate the relationship between caloric intake and energy expenditure; (E) differentiate between health-related and skill-related physical activities; and (F) analyze the components of a personal health maintenance plan for individuals and

families such as stress management and personal safety. Characterconcepttaught:CaringandResponsibilityMaterialsneeded: Largeposterboardscopiesofcartoondogfoodpyramidcharts Largeposterboardoftruedogfoodpyramidandhumanfoodpyramid Photocopy(foreachstudent)of3labelsfromdogfoodbags Photocopy(foreachstudent)ofdogfoodpyramidforthemtomakenotes Photocopy(foreachstudent)ofworksheet1 Photocopy(foreachstudent)ofworksheet2 Photocopy(foreachstudent)of“10waystokeepyourdogyoung” Photocopy(foreachstudent)on“InformationonDogFoodforCertainDietaryNeeds”Openingactivity:Discussthattodaywe’regoingtotalkabouttakingcareofthefamilydog’shealth.Pointoutthatwewillfirstbefocusingonafoodpyramidfordogs,muchastheymayhavealreadylearnedaboutafoodpyramidforhumans.Showthecartooncaninefoodpyramidsandtheircategoriestotalkabouthowdogsmighthavetheirownideaofwhattheythinkshouldbeonthispyramid,thenshowthattherealhealthyfoodpyramidwouldbecompletelydifferent.Pointoutthehumanfoodpyramidandhowtherearesomesimilaritiesandsomedifferences(forexample,bothrequirewaterandprotein,butforhumanstheproteincategoryislessthanfordogs).Alsopointoutthatwewillbetalkingaboutcaringfortheirpet’shealthregardinghowmuchfoodtogivethem,exerciseandenvironmentinwhichtheylive. NOTE:Thislessoncanbesplitbetween2daysifneededActivity1(15to20minutes)Inthisactivitymorefocuswillbeputonthedifferentsectionsofthedogfoodpyramid.Discussthekindsoffoodsandvitaminsthatworkbestineachsectionandhavestudentsfillinwhattheylearnintheirblankfoodpyramiddiagrams(thatis,whatwillworkwellforeachcategory).Also,pointoutthatthelargerportionsofthepyramidarewhatthedogneedsthemostof(forexample,wateristhelargestportionofthepyramidandthusisthemostessentialthatthedogmustreceiveeachday).Also,pointoutthataswegothrougheachcategorywewillbediscussingwherethedogcangetthisintheirdiet(forexample,eggisagreatformofproteinforadog).Makesuretogooveranyvocabularythatmightbenewtothem(inbold)NOTE:*indicatesinformationstudentsshouldincludeintheirblankfoodpyramid.

WATER:Youmightnotthinkwaterisanutrient,butitisandisconsideredthemostimportantone.Althoughadomesticatedanimalmightsurviveabout60dayswithoutfood,itcanonlysurviveaweekorlesswithoutwater.Justa10%lossoftotalbodywaterwillcauseseriousillnessanda15%losscanbefatal.Soalwaysmakesureyourdoghasplentyoffreshcleanwaterdaily.PROTEIN:Thisisimportantforanumberofreasons:suppliesbodywithessentialaminoacids;necessaryforgrowthandmaintenanceofbodytissueswhicharealwaysinastateofrepair;neededtoproduceredandwhitebloodcells,whicharebeingreplacedconstantly;andforproperfunctioningoftheimmunesystem. SOURCESOFPROTEIN: #1eggwhites #2beef,chickenandlamb #3organmeats(i.e.liver,stomach,tongue)*

NOTE:Whenevaluatingtheproteinsourceonabagofkibble,keepinmindthatwholemeats,suchasaningredientlistedas“chicken”or“beef,”contain75%water.Soifawholemeatislistedfirst,thenextingredientshouldbeaspecificmeatmealtoinsuretheproteininthefoodisfromanimalsources,notgrains(i.e.chickenmealorbeefmeal,notgeneric“meatmeal”orby‐productmeals)

NOTE:Somedogshavecertainallergies.Ifyoufindthatisthecasewithyourdogyouwillneedtoplayevencloserattentiontothedogfoodlabel.Forexample,manydogallergiescomefromgrainsources,soyouwillwanttofindakibblethatisgrainfree.Youwillreceiveahandoutaftertoday’slessonthatlistswhattolookforregardingspecialneeds(forpuppies,vegetariandiet,anddogsthatneedtoloseweight)

FATS:Fatisanenergysupplyforyourdog,andasourceofessentialfattyacids,whicharevitalforcellmembranecomponents,necessaryforotherbodyfunctions,andcannotbemadeinthebodybyitself.

SOUCESOFFAT:Omega‐3andOmega‐6*

VITAMINSandMINERALS:Vitaminsandmineralsarenecessaryforproperabsorptionoffatsandcarbohydratesandforthechemicalreactionsinthebody.Mineralsareessentialforboneformation,musclemetabolism,fluidbalance,andnervoussystemfunction.

Importantvitaminsandmineralsfordogsareasfollows*

1. Vitamin A – Dogs need vitamin A for good vision and a strong immune system. 2. Vitamin D – This essential vitamin is important for strong bones and muscles in your dog. 3. Vitamin B1 – Your dog needs vitamin B1 or thiamin for high energy and carbohydrate

metabolism. 4. Vitamin B6 – Dogs also need vitamin B6 for healthy blood, nervous and immune systems. 5. Vitamin B12 – Along with other B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin, vitamin B12 is necessary

for enzyme (chemical) functions in your dog. 6. Calcium – All dogs need calcium for strong bones and teeth. 7. Copper – Important for a dog’s proper formation of bone, tissue and cells. 8. Iron – Canines need iron for the proper function of red blood cells that transport oxygen in their

bodies. 9. Iodine – Your dog needs this mineral for healthy thyroid function and proper metabolism. 10. Zinc – This mineral is important for your dog maintaining healthy hair and skin.

CARBOHYDRATES:Whilecarbohydratesarenotabsolutelynecessaryinadog’sdiet,theyareusedbydogsasasourceofglucose,whichprovidesenergy,aswellasbuildingblocksforothernutrients.Somesourcesforcarbohydratesarecorn,soybeans,riceandwheat.*Activity2(15minutes)Breakupclassintosmallgroupsof4or5.Havethemeachlookovertheircopiesof3differentdogfoodlabels.Pointoutthattheingredientslistedinthebeginningaretheonesmostprevalentinthefoodandtheoneslastaretheonesleastprevalentinthefood.Havethestudentsdiscussandthenmakeadecisiononwhatfoodbrandtheythinkwouldbemosthealthyfortheirpetdogbasedontheneedsofthedogfoodpyramid(proteinsources,vitaminsrecommended,etc).Havestudentsthenlooksatthelabeloftheirchosenbrandandfigureouthowmuchfoodwoulda100pounddog;50pounddogand10pounddogneedadayofthatbrandandfillthisinontheirworksheets.Activity3(15to20minutes)Breakstudentsupinto5groups.Discussthateachgroupwillhaveonedogbreedtoworkwith.Theirtaskistoidentifyadailyroutinefortheirdogthatwillinvolvetheamountoffoodtogiveit;whattypeoffamilyenvironmentwouldbehealthyforthedog(example,afamilywithotherpetsvs.onethatdoesn’thaveany);thekindofexerciseneededforthedog;etc.Pointoutthattheworksheetwillhavesomeselectionstochoosefromtohelpwiththeiranswers.Alsopointoutthatthe*ratingmeansthemore*’sinthechart,thestrongerthatparticulartrait.Afterthegiventimeperiod,bringtheclasstogethertodiscusstheirdecisions.Haveonestudentfromeachgroupaddresstheclassontheirfindings,thenasktheclassiftheyagreewiththeresults.Ifnot,discusswhy.RECAPPutawayallposterboardsandaskvariousquestionsbasedonthepresentation.Askthestudentsiftherewasanythingtheylearnedfromthislessonthatwasdifferentfromwhattheythoughtbeforehand.Goovertheircopyof“Top10thingstokeepyoupetdoghealthy”andencouragethemtosharewiththeirfamilyandfriends,alongwithcopyof“InformationonDogFoodforCertainDietaryNeeds”.

DogBreed:LabradorRetriever,female Purpose:Originallyforretrievingthingsinthewater(suchashuntinggame).Theyareactiveandsociabledogsthatneeddailyexercise,preferablyintheformofretrievingandswimming.Labcoatsshedwatereasily.Needsweeklybrushingtoremovedeadhair.

AtaglanceEnergylevel ****Exerciserequirements ***Playfulness *****Affectionlevel *****Friendlinesstowardotherdogs ****Friendlinesstowardotherpets *****Friendlinesstowardstrangers *****Groomingrequirements **Coldtolerance ****Heattolerance ***WeightMaleFemale

65to80pounds55to70pounds

Basedonastarratingof1through5Fromthebook“EncyclopediaofDogBreeds”byD.CarolineCojle,Ph.D.

DogBreed:GreatDane Purpose:Inthepasttheywereusedforwarandhunting.Itisloving,easygoing,gentleandsensitive.Needsdailymoderateexercise.Itsneedscanbemetwithagoodwalkorromp.Notwellsuitedtolivingoutdoors.Itneedssoftbeddingandsufficientroomtostretchoutwhensleeping.

AtaglanceEnergylevel **Exerciserequirements ***Playfulness **Affectionlevel ****Friendlinesstowardotherdogs ***Friendlinesstowardotherpets ***Friendlinesstowardstrangers ****Groomingrequirements *Coldtolerance **Heattolerance **Weight 100to120pounds

Basedonastarratingof1through5Fromthebook“EncyclopediaofDogBreeds”byD.CarolineCojle,Ph.D.

DogBreed:Dachshund,long‐haired,miniature Purpose:Huntersthatwouldfollowitsprey,manytimesabadger,enteritsburrow,pullitout,andkillit.Thisdogisbold,curious,andalwaysupforadventure.Itlikestohuntanddig,trackingbyscentandgoingtogroundaftergame.Theycomeinshort,long,andwire‐hairedvarieties.

AtaglanceEnergylevel ****Exerciserequirements **Playfulness ***Affectionlevel ***Friendlinesstowardotherdogs ***Friendlinesstowardotherpets **Friendlinesstowardstrangers *GroomingrequirementsSmoothLongWire

******

Coldtolerance ***Heattolerance ***WeightMiniatureStandard

11poundsandunder16to32pounds

Basedonastarratingof1through5Fromthebook“EncyclopediaofDogBreeds”byD.CarolineCojle,Ph.D.

GermanShepherd Purpose:Usedtoherdandguardflocks.Alsoadogthathascourage,athleticismandintelligenceandhasthusbeenusefulasapolicedog.GermanShepherdsareknownforbeingveryintentontheirmission,whateverthatmaybe.Theyaredevotedandfaithful,butaloofandsuspiciousofstrangers.Itisprotectiveofitshomeandfamily,andcansometimesbeaggressivetowardotherdogs,butisusuallygoodwithotherpets.Thisbreedneedsdailymentalandphysicalchallenges,aswellasexercise.Itscoatneedsbrushingatleastonceortwiceaweek.

AtaglanceEnergylevel ***Exerciserequirements ****Playfulness **Affectionlevel ***Friendlinesstowardotherdogs *Friendlinesstowardotherpets ***Friendlinesstowardstrangers **Groomingrequirements **Coldtolerance ***Heattolerance ***Weight 75to95pounds

Basedonastarratingof1through5Fromthebook“EncyclopediaofDogBreeds”byD.CarolineCojle,Ph.D.

CavalierKingCharlesSpaniel Purpose:Servedaslapandfootwarmers.Inaddition,theyservedthevitalfunctionofattractingfleasfromtheirowners’bodies.Theyaresweet,gentle,playful,willingtoplease,affectionate,andquiet.Itisfriendlytowardotherdogs,pets,andstrangers.Itlovestoexplore,sniffandchaseoutdoors.

AtaglanceEnergylevel ***Exerciserequirements ***Playfulness ****Affectionlevel *****Friendlinesstowardotherdogs *Friendlinesstowardotherpets ****Friendlinesstowardstrangers *****Groomingrequirements ***Coldtolerance ***Heattolerance **Weight 13to18pounds

Basedonastarratingof1through5Fromthebook“EncyclopediaofDogBreeds”byD.CarolineCojle,Ph.D.

VOCABULARYDomesticatedanimal:TameanimalkeptasapetorasafarmanimalFatal:CausingdeathAminoacids:Thebasicelementsofprotein.Theyaremoleculescomposedmainlyofhydrogen,oxygen,carbon,andnitrogenatomsBodytissues:Thatinthebody,whichconsistsofspecializedcellsandtheirproductsImmunesystem:ThatinthebodythatprotectsagainstdiseaseandgermsCellmembrane:TheoutercoveringofthecellEssentialfattyacids:Thosefattyacidsthatareneededbythebody,butsincethebodycan’tmakethemitself,theymustbeeaten.Vitamins:Elementsneededforpropergrowthandnutrition,butarenotcreatedinthebody,somustbeacquiredbysomeothermeans,likeinthefoodeaten.Minerals:ThatneededbythebodyforgoodhealthMetabolism:ChemicalprocessthattakesplaceinthebodyinordertomaintainlifeGlucose:Asimplesugarthatisanimportantenergysourceforthebody

WORKSHEET1

Dogfoodchoice:______________________________________________________________________________Howmuchwouldyoufeeda100pounddogaday:_______________________________________Howmuchwouldyoufeeda50pounddogaday:_______________________________________Howmuchwouldyoufeeda10pounddogaday:_______________________________________

WORKSHEET2

Howmuchfoodwouldyougivethisdogaday(basedonthedogfoodbrandyourchosepreviously)?Wouldyoutakethisdogtotheparktosocializewithotherdogs?______________________Wouldthisdogbecomfortableinafamilythathasotherpets?_________________________Whatsizebedwouldthisdogbemostcomfortablein(small,mediumorlarge)Whatkindofexerciseand/oractivitieswouldthisdogenjoymost?____________________Whatkindofgroomingneedsdoesthisdoghave?________________________________________

SELECTIONOPTIONSFORWORKSHEET2

Foodamountchoices: 1/3to1cup;1to11/4cups;21/2to3cups;3to33/4cups;33/4to4cupsGroomingneedchoices: Brushingonceaweek;brushingtwiceaweekExerciseandactivitychoices: Swimming;goingforawalk;mentallychallenginggames;playingfetch/chasewithaball,toyorFrisbee;gamesthatwouldinvolvesearchingforsomethinghiddeninatunnelorundergroundBeddingchoices:

Small;medium;large

Top 10 ways to keep your pet dog young

1. Know when your pet is “old”. This depends largely on his/her breed and size. Small dog breeds (less than 20 pounds) are in their senior years around 9 to 13 years of age. Medium sized dogs (21 to 50 pounds) are seniors around 9 to 11 years of age. Large breed dogs (51 to 90 pounds) are seniors around 7 to 10 years of age. And giant breed dogs (over 90 pounds) are seniors between 6 and 9 years of age. 2. Wellness exams. Take your dog into your vet once a year for a regular examination. And if your pet is considered a “senior”, then make sure your vet checks for certain things that might affect him/her at this stage in its life. 3. Watch for illness. Make sure to watch your pet at home. Watch for any unusual masses/lumps that might come up on its body; if there is a sudden loss in weight; change in their daily water and food intake; energy level, and other such things. If you think there is something to be concerned about, take your pet into your vet. 4. Weight control. Remember that overweight dogs will most likely have shorter life spans. Make sure you understand what your dog’s weight should be and what the proper food amount it should consume on a daily basis to control his/her weight. 5. Keep close tabs. Watch your pet dog while it is outdoors to make sure it isn’t getting into anything dangerous (the trash, chewing on plants, and other such things). Also make sure to have your pet on a leash during walks to avoid it escaping and possibly getting lost or hit by a car. 6. Monitor your environment. Make sure to keep anything that might be poisonous to your dog out of reach, like car antifreeze and rat poison. Keep the trashcan away from your dog possibly getting into. 7. Nutrition. Make sure to feed your pet the dog food that has the right amounts of nutrients in it. When you do give your pet treats, make sure they aren’t too high in calories, and give on a limited basis. If your dog is in its senior years, make sure you are giving it the food that is good for this time in its life. 8. Exercise. Make sure to give your dog the exercise it needs for its age, breed, and activity level. This might mean daily walks, swimming, or catching a ball. 9. Spay and neuter. These operations are helpful in preventing your pet from getting certain kinds of cancer, can prolong the life span of your dog, and eliminate the desire to wander. 10. Mental stimulation. Make sure to provide your pet with toys, games, and quality time like petting and cuddling up while you watch tv or do your homework!

Information on Dog Food for Certain Dietary Needs

Since there are so many dog food brands on the market today, it would be difficult to list them all here. The best thing you could do is apply what you have learned from today’s lesson and apply it to looking for the proper food for your canine’s needs. Also, it would be helpful to talk to your vet about your dog’s particular needs to see if he/she has any recommendations. In the meantime, here are some hints for looking for food on the market for your special furry companion. What to look for in puppy food: 1. Higher in meat-based protein 2. Higher in natural fats and oils 3. Lower in carbohydrates 4. Formulated from a named animal source 5. Free of artificial flavoring, coloring or preservatives 6. Complete in all essential vitamins and minerals 7. Not excessive in calcium content (large breeds) What to look for in low-fat dog food: Look for food that is less than average for fat content, which would be 12% or less (average being 16%) Food for dogs suffering from allergies: Look for foods that do not include the following as these typically can cause allergic reactions: Beef Dairy Chicken Lamb Fish Corn Wheat Soy Yeast You can also look for food that specifically says “grain free”. Vegetarian dog food: The best bet in this area is to talk with your vet first. Generally speaking a vegetarian dog food will include soy, grains, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, beans, lentils and other legumes, and dairy products and eggs.