Dog training is a dynamic process. This means we often have to change or adjust our training plan over time. However, we don’t know how to change our plan if we don’t know what impacts our current plan is/is not having on behavior. There are many factors that influence our dog’s behavior and learning, and it is important that we be prepared to adjust our training to account for these factors. By measuring and monitoring our training, we can ensure that our plan is working and make changes when it is not.
Behavior modification can be a slow process. Tracking our training can also help us see the progress we are making when our memory fails us. This can help keeps up motivated, which is important when you are working on a long-term goal! It can also help us notice patterns of behavior that may inform our training.
What to track in your training log?
When it comes to tracking your training, I always recommend keeping it short and simple. The longer it takes for you to fill out your training log, the less likely you are to do it. When I work with clients, I usually keep it to 7 items or less.
When it comes to what to track, there are a few key things to consider tracking:
- Frequency of problem behaviors
- Frequency of new or desirable behaviors
- Health issues that may impact behavior or training
- How often you are training and what you work on in a training session
- Relevant daily events or routines
- Any big events or lifestyle changes
Whenever possible, I will use a Likert scale to measure important information. For example, I may track my dog’s reactivity on a walk on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being reacting to every dog in a big way and 5 being not reacting to any dogs at all! This is also helpful for tracking certain health measures that are otherwise hard to quantify, such as itchiness. Make sure to write down what your scale is so you don’t forget and track things incorrectly.
I also always leave room for general notes, so that I can log any unusual events or concerns that arose that day! This might include that
Here are a few examples of things I may have clients track in their training logs:
- What exercise did your dog receive today (what kind of exercise and for how long)?
- If guests visited the home today, how did your dog react? (Did they bark? If so, for how long? How long did it take for them to settle/relax?)
- How many times did your dog bark at outside noises today?
- If your dog rode in the car today, how was their anxiety on a scale of 1-5 (1=extremely stressed/anxious, 5=no signs of stress/anxiety)?
- How itchy did your dog seem today on a scale of 1-5 (1=very itchy, 5=not itchy at all)?
- How would you rate your dog’s playfulness today (1= not playful at all, 5=very playful)?
Where to track your training?
Where you track your training depends on what works best for you. Some people prefer tracking their progress digitally. The benefit of a digital journal is that you can set it up to be accessible from any device with internet access. This can easily be done using an app like Google Sheets or OneNote. Depending on the software/app you choose, you may be able to add videos or photos to your digital log as well!
A pen and paper log can be a great option for those of us who are a bit forgetful. Keep the journal next to your dog’s food so you see it and remember to fill it out each day!
When to track your training?
I always recommend clients fill out their training log as soon as possible after their training session, or at the end of each day. You want to fill this out when your memory is fresh! If you miss a day, I recommend leaving it blank. Human memory is so easily distorted over time, and it is better to have an accurate log of your dog’s behavior and training, than a 100% complete log.