Harcourt Journeys: Story Selection Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Unit 4: Lesson 17 “The Right Dog for the Job” Ira’s Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Turn your Text Book to page 431. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

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Why might a foster puppy coordinator need someone with patience, kindness, and experience raising dogs? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: A person like this will help to raise puppies who can later become service dogs. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

3 4

Describe how the puppies changed and grew during their first six weeks of life. Copyright © 2011 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: When they were born, their eyes and ears were closed. They grew, and their eyes and ears opened. Soon they began playing. At four weeks, they began to eat puppy food. At six weeks, they did not need their mother’s milk. Copyright © 2011 Kelly Mott

Why do you think Sandy might be a good choice to raise Ira? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: She knows how to handle golden retrievers because she already has one. Copyright © 2012Kelly Mott

What important task does Ira learn to perform very early? Why is this an important task for a service dog? Copyright © 2021 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: He learns to retrieve things. It is important because he may have to retrieve things for the person with disabilities he is placed with. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

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Why might a symbol be more useful than words to identify wheelchair-access areas? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: The symbol can help people who might not be able to read or who don’t know the language used on the sign. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

What text clues on these pages support the idea that all puppies need training in order to become service dogs? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: The puppies have to learn how to walk at heel on a leash; they learn to lie quietly under a table. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

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Explain how Ira’s experiences with Kathleen are different from those with Sandy, the puppy raiser. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Kathleen teaches Ira specific tasks, such as retrieving keys and opening doors; Sandy helps Ira get used to different places and situations. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

What is the next important part of Ira’s training? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Sandy begins to bring Ira to her classroom two days a week so he can learn other skills. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

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Why does Sandy tell students not to pet a service dog in training? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: It might distract the dog from a task. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

How does the photograph on page 436 make the information given in the selection clearer? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: It provides both a visual and text reference for the last paragraph on the page, where children take turns calling Ira’s name. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

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When Ira performs a task correctly, he usually receives food as a reward. What are some other kinds of rewards he could receive? Copyright © 2011 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: * A pat on the head * A chew toy Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Why might Ira be able to learn a new career? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: It means going through a red light without stopping. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

I wonder why it is important for a guide dog to have confidence. I know that confidence is being sure of yourself. Maybe it takes confidence for a dog to learn new skills. What might be another reason confidence is important for a service dog? Copyright © 2011 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Confidence helps a service dog know when to disobey for its owner’s safety. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

What does the expression “running a red light” mean? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: The passengers see that the river is a few feet below the wheels of the coach. They are worried that Charlotte, the horses, and the stage coach may not make it across the racing river. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Explain how service dogs and guide dogs are similar and how they are different. Copyright © 2011 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Similar – obedient, smart, confident, calm, loving; Different – a service dog always obeys and does things like picking up dropped keys; a guide dog wears a special harness, can disobey its owner for safety reasons, and guides its owner through traffice. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Describe a time when Irah might have learned to wait patiently. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Sandy made Irah lie on his rug for long periods of time. He may have wanted to get up, but he was not allowed to. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Explain how their experiences working with Irah might make Sandy’s students feel now. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: They’re proud of their roles in Irah’s training, which may make them more confident about their own abilities. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

What do Don and Irah get to do at the end of the selection? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott Answer

Answer: Sandy invites them to the eighth-grade graduation of the students who helped Irah when he was a puppy. Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Projectable 17.3 Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

Projectable 17.4 Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott

How did you do? Copyright © 2012 Kelly Mott