I just wanted to ask what you guys do to keep track of where you are in training? I am at the point where I have a small three ring binder with a page per command. I break up the command into steps and record how the dog is doing each day and what step they are on so that I know if they are progressing or what. I do about 10 reps per command per session depending on what it is. If I don't do this I am just floating in the dark. What do you guys do?

I keep a computer file for each dog with a calendar. Most people I know use notebooks.

 Quote: Linda West

I just wanted to ask what you guys do to keep track of where you are in training? I am at the point where I have a small three ring binder with a page per command. I break up the command into steps and record how the dog is doing each day and what step they are on so that I know if they are progressing or what. I do about 10 reps per command per session depending on what it is. If I don't do this I am just floating in the dark. What do you guys do?

I started a training log with FST, and realized how useful it would be for all training, all dogs. I have teeny postit tags sectioning off a chunk of pages for each dog I work with.

I don't particularly do a certain number of reps per session. But I do mark down what we did and how it went and what I want to focus on next time.

With FST, I was very detailed as to weather, time of day, etc. With everything else, I'm kinda sloppy, sometimes even forgetting my little book and using something else, but I always get the info into the book asap. (I have even later taped a scrap of paper onto the little notebook page.)

I buy the smallest notebooks possible so they fit into the LB snap-open bait bag and even into jeans pockets. But I have seen much nicer and easier to read versions at our club. I just know myself and know that something that's in my pocket already has a better chance of being used.

That's a good move, Linda. Just like with food/poop and allergy journals, I am always pleased by how much info that I never would have retained is captured -- and how patterns that I can't see in my head pop up boing! on the written pages.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

I keep a computer file for each dog with a calendar. Most people I know use notebooks.

What do you use for the initial recording, when you aren't at the computer?

I admit that while I have thought often about a computer file, I'm not there yet.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Melissa Thom

I keep a computer file for each dog with a calendar. Most people I know use notebooks.

What do you use for the initial recording, when you aren't at the computer?

I admit that while I have thought often about a computer file, I'm not there yet.

Crackberry with email. I can record vid, audio, text, and take pictures and send them to the PC. When I finally sit down I can just copy and paste it over into their file.

oh wow, was I suspose to take notes? another fine dog screwed up...damn

 Quote: Dennis Jones

oh wow, was I suspose to take notes? another fine dog screwed up...damn

Not in your case, where the dog is taking her own notes.

I email a short training note to myself from my blackberry. Later, I make an entry in a google document spreadsheet (which is nice because I can access it from any computer and can easily share). So far I've used that for SAR work but I'm starting to do schutzhund at a local club so I guess I'll start a new log. I surprised myself by how little I remembered about what the trainer suggested at my first practice.

 Quote:

I can record vid, audio, text, and take pictures

I had not thought about recording audio and video. Great idea!

LOL... for the uninformed, what is FST?