Humane Education Lesson Plans and Activities | Find more at www.nhes.org
Make Your Dog at Home!
Goal: Students will understand what a home requires in order to accommodate a dog.
Grade Levels: 1st – 3rd grade
Time: 30 minutes
Audience Size: Any
Objectives:
1. Students will name three things a household needs
to keep a dog healthy.
2. Students will name 3 reasons why dogs should live
indoors.
Materials:
 Shoe boxes with lids (1 per student)
 Felt fabric in assorted colors
 Scrapbook paper
 Popsicle sticks
 Marble (Do not use if adapting for ages 5 years
and under)
 Yarn
 Baggie of kibble
 Crayons/markers/colored pencils
 Glue
 Chalkboard or easel
 Miniature dog figurines
 Extra: spool thread, empty matchboxes, tiny wooden blocks or boxes to make beds,
tables, dressers, etc.
Introduction:
Ask students to name some items dogs need to be happy and healthy in a home. Write each
suggestion on the board. When dogs are welcome in the home with their families, they enjoy
greater space, better shelter, and more time with their “pack.”
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Procedure:
1. Tell each student that he or she will practice preparing a home for a pet dog.
2. Offer each child a shoe box. The lid will serve as the yard. Have children use everyday
materials to represent what dogs need. You might also use:
Water:
Food:
Space:
Toys:
ID:
paper circle (blue)
piece of kibble
lid (popsicle sticks can be a fence)
cut out a frisbee using cardstock
make a collar and/or leash from yarn.
3. When the house is complete, each child should demonstrate how the house is dog-friendly.
4. Allow each student to choose a miniature dog from your collection.
Summary:
Suggested Questions:
Q: If your dog uses the yard, why is a fence important?
A: A fence protects your dog from roaming dogs, wild animals, and cars. The fence also protects
wild animals from your dog. Unlike a chain, a fence provides space for exercise and exploration.
Q: What can you do if you can’t have a fenced yard?
A: If a fence is not an option, it’s important to walk your dog and provide daily exercise.
Q: Why don’t dogs like to be tied up in the yard all day with a doghouse?
A: Tethered dogs may have a bed, food and water, but they are lacking one very important
thing: companionship. Dogs are pack animals and need human interaction.
Q: How can people benefit from having a dog in their home?
A: Dogs can be natural stress-reducers, alarm systems, and best friends.
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