1. Genius hour visual proposal
Allison Witecki

2. What is the idea for your project?
My idea is to learn how to effectively train dogs, and keep them healthy.

3. Why is this project worthwhile?
This project would help me keep my own dog healthy, and be more helpful in training our next pet. It would allow me to be more self sufficient, and able to help out a lot more. Later on in life, I also might be able to have my own pet.

4. What do you expect to learn from this project?
I expect to learn how to effectively train a dog, and care for it according to it’s breed, size, and health level. I also expect to learn other useful information about caring for pets along the way.

5. What challenges do you foresee?
One challenge that I foresee is making time to actually work with the dogs. I can’t have them in the school, and living in Seattle, weather is also a limiting factor. Also, since I will have to use my friend’s dog, I will also have to schedule that. Another challenge is remembering to get the project done. Last year, I had a partner to help out, but this year I will have to get all of the work in on time.

6. What will you have to show in the end?
I will hopefully be able to train dogs and keep them healthy. I am planning to provide a visual of how I was able to accomplish this and all of my research. I am planning to make a power point with pictures of me training the dogs, due to the fact that I can’t bring animals into the school.

7. What materials will you need, where will you get them?
I will need to have a dog to train, so as well as using my own pet, Smok, I’m planning on training my friends dog. As well as pets, I will need treats, dog food, a leash, a collar and other pet care products. In order to obtain these materials, I will have to go and use my friend’s dog. Most of the other supplies I already have, from owning a dog, however, a trip to the pet store for treats would be helpful.

8. How will you influence others?
After this project, I should be able to help others train their dogs and also help people keep their dogs healthy. Many dogs are mistreated this days due to incorrect training methods. If people were willing to give these dogs a chance, then the world would be a better place, even if it was just one pup at a time.

9. What might you research?
I need to research behavior patterns in dogs, as well as effective training methods. I also need to know what they need to eat and how much exercise. Knowing different dog breeds and what methods work for each kind of dog.