3 3 14 dog helpers (social studies)

There are many jobs that dogs do that help people in different ways.. Sled DogsSome dogs have a love for pulling and carrying.. Sled dogs work and they race, too.. Farm Dogs Farmers use

H O U G H T O N M I F F L I N

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ISBN-10: 0-547-25294-3

ISBN-13: 978-0-547-25294-0

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by Erin Ash Sullivan

Introduction

Dogs make great pets They are easy to train They are smart and

loyal Dogs are good workers, too There are many jobs that dogs do that help people in different ways

Different kinds of dogs have special skills.

Sled Dogs

Some dogs have a love for pulling and carrying They are big and strong So they are built for this kind of work

In snowy places, people use dogs

to pull sleds Sled dogs work and they

race, too They practice over and over for the races At times, their legs can

start to quiver, or shake But they keep practicing

There can be ten to sixteen dogs in

a dogsled team.

Farm Dogs

Farmers use dogs to help them herd farm animals The dogs follow orders well They are trained to run in circles around the sheep The farmer gives

the order, and the dog circles the sheep This frightens the sheep and causes them

to stick together

Sheepherding dogs keep sheep

from getting lost.

Some dogs help farmers move cattle from one place to another The dogs

run next to the herd to keep them

moving If a cow walks off, the dog may snap at the cow or nip at its heels to

make sure it stays with the group

Police Dogs

These dogs have the ability to find things by smelling them They track down criminals and help solve crimes Dogs can sniff out a fire scene to help find out how the fire started

These dogs can work a long shift with a police officer They can patrol the streets all day

Dogs are also called “canines.” That’s why police dogs are part of “K-9” units.

Army Dogs

The army uses dog helpers, too

These dogs work as guard dogs They

sniff out bombs During World War

II, some dogs were even used to carry

messages They did their jobs under

dangerous conditions

Most of these dogs are sitting with their

partners One is lying down.

Dogs Help Humans

Some dogs are trained to work with people who are blind These are guide dogs They are trained to guide or help their owner cross busy streets The dogs work as “eyes” for their owners Their owners trust their dogs to keep them safe

Guide dogs are on duty while they are wearing

a harness.

Hearing dogs work with people

who are deaf They tell their owners

about important noises, like doorbells,

alarm clocks, and crying babies Hearing dogs must give the owners the

information they need

Hearing dogs are trained to respond to sign

language commands as well as spoken commands.

Conclusion

Dogs and their owners usually

become attached to each other This

is very important for many people,

especially for elderly people who live alone

Dogs do many jobs But being a good friend may be the most important job a dog has

Dogs make great companions for the elderly.

TARGET VOCABULARY Word Builder

Dogs are very loyal animals What other

words mean the same as loyal? Copy the

word web below and add words to it.

Text to Self Why are dogs such good pets

and helpers to people? Write a paragraph

giving your opinion Include a main idea

and support it with details.

Write About It

loyal

trusting

ability

loyal

lying

partners

patrol quiver shift snap

TARGET VOCABULARY

TARGET STRATEGY Summarize Briefly tell the important parts of the text in your own words.

Which word spelled backwards means things used for cooking?

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN

Online Leveled Books

Level: J

DRA: 18–20

Social Studies

Strategy:

Summarize

Word Count: 494