record keeping journal - brilliant recalls · but i do need to remind you ... garrett and say yes...

Record Keeping Journal

© Not to be re-printed without the written permission of Susan Garrett and Say Yes Dog Training Inc. Copyright 2015.

Hello! I hope you find this eBook to be a great resource to your dog training. But I do need to remind you that this document is intended just for you.

It is strictly for your personal use. No part of this eBook can be legally or ethically shared in whole or in part either through digital or printed copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work we put into these books for you our students.

Here’s to your future success;

Susan Susan Garrett

Say Yes Dog Training Inc.


Welcome Recallers!

One of our strengths at Say Yes Dog Training is the importance we put on record keeping!

In order to increase your success on this program it made sense to share with you a organized approach to record keeping. As with most training - goal setting, record keeping and follow through significantly increases the success outcome for those who put in the extra effort! Allow this manual to help guide your training decisions as you progress through your a program of training that we at Say Yes refer to as:

“Build-the-Value”/ “Test-the-Value”

Thank for respecting the hard work that has gone into this project. It will be made available for sale to others in the future. I remind you that this e-book is copyrighted to: Susan Garrett and Say Yes Dog Training and as such can not be shared in whole or in part with anyone.

I encourage you embrace this resource, it will document your journey and your successes will shine through the process. Develop a system in your training to keep it close at hand and if you add other training session during the day (which I encourage) just copy the blank record keeping sheet at the end. I promise you your training will grow exponentially by keeping this simple record keeping journal!

Happy training!

Susan

© Copyright 2011. This content is copyrighted. It can be be printed for your own personal use only. It may not be, shared or re-printed in part or its entirety for any reason without written consent from Susan Garrett and Say Yes Dog Training Inc.

Say Yes Dog Training | www.SusanGarrettDogAgility.com2780 Dunmark Road Alberton, ON L0R 1AO


A Guide To Your Successful Record Keeping

Of all of the ideas we try to encourage students to implement here at Say Yes Dog Training, record keeping seems to be the toughest for us to “sell”. I can see why, it takes time! Time away from playing with your dog if you happen to be in the middle of training. Or time away from getting back home to give your family some time.

However record keeping is something that, in fact, can create time for you. The truth is we, human beings, fall into patterns of behaviours. We repeat things, regardless if they work or not. We may not repeat the same thing that end disastrously in back to back sessions. But we will go back to what we gave us a level of comfort. When you record keep (properly) you will be less likely to fall into habitual failing. Your constant review of your records will prevent it!

Another bonus of keeping records is that you will break up your training sessions more. You will be more likely to work short sessions as you can’t keep all that transpired in your head. Short training session work to your dog’s benefit. Another great thing about record keeping is that, I am sure you are all likely to get another dog in the future, when you keep good records with this one, you have something to build a training plan around for your next one.

But the bottom line is record keeping just works. Scientific studies have proven it. Taking a group of dog trainers doing the same thing over the course of a year, all things being equal those with effective records alway end up having the best trained dogs.

However you must be careful to document only that which is pertinent. I have seen records that have been way to laborious and detailed. Those are often done by students that are more into data then dog training. Good records should not be excessively complicated to fill out and should capture only the details that are critical to your uncovering a source in a challenge or documenting improvement.




In your training of any skill you will be in one of 4 phases:

1. Building Value

2. Testing Value

3. Polishing Value

4. Re-directing Value

Be certain the first thing your write in your journal or agility record keeping sheets is that which you did well! Plan your futures sessions based upon what you would like to change but do not dwell only on your weaknesses. Be certain to rehearse for your subconscious the things you and your dog can do well. One thing I do encourage my student to do is if you didn’t train today - to write: “I did not train my dog today. My commitment to his improvement was not that great.” The point is generally people do not want to write that two days in a row!




Say Yes Training Progression ChartThe chart below guides you through a systematic progression for your dog training. You should always set the dog up for success yet at the same time he should experience enough challenge and freedom that he does occasionally fail. This approach allows the dog to learn the boundaries of correct and incorrect responses.

The dog learns to “want” to choose correctly as he will be reinforced when he is correct. He always has a choice as there are no wires, leashes or human bodies preventing him from making incorrect choices. What you will be creating is a dog that learns to want to perform the way you want him to perform as the choice as been his right from the initial stages of his training.

Stage ofTraining Correct Performance Incorrect Performance

Initial Training: First Stages

Extremely easy. Dog gains confidence though reinforcement of responses. Limiting wrong choices by controlling the dog’s environment. A transfer of value is established.

Extremely difficult but not impossible. Even at the early stages of training the dog is allowed to choose the option of being incorrect but the correct option is extremely attractive and therefore most often the one chosen.

Mid Stages of Training

Increases in difficulty as the dog progresses through the stages of an exercise.

As the dog progress through the stages of learning you ‘tempt’ him by making the incorrect choice be increasingly more available to him. There are more choices as you give more environmental stimulation.

Later Stages of Training: Testing their Understanding or Proofing an Experienced Dog

Extremely difficult but not impossible. Here you are challenging the dog to perform ‘no matter what’. Your dog is proving to you he has a solid foundation. The environment can be wildly challenging but he does get it correct as you have not progressed without observing Bob’s 80% rule.

Extremely easy. Once the dog has been rewarding through all stages of learning you should test the boundaries of his understanding by making the incorrect response be extremely attractive by increasing the environmental stimulation.




Pre-Course EvaluationThis is an assignment that will help you to keep in touch with your starting point in your journey. Reinforcements are things that your dog likes that reinforce behaviors, making them more likely to be repeated. Divide your list into three sections.• First, list all of the possible food rewards that you can think of; do not limit the list to just the food rewards that you already know your dog likes.• Next, list of all of the toys you think a dog might enjoy playing with; for example, squeaky toys, tennis balls, plush toys, or things YOUR dog views as a toy. For example my terrier loves a household Flyswatter. That is an A+ toy reward for her.• Finally, list all of the activities that a dog might find reinforcing. Activities can be chasing a ball, going for a car ride, rolling in mud puddles, swimming, etc. Be sure to observe your dog. What reinforces him during a typical week? Chasing the postman? Barking at the door bell?

**Remember** that these are things that a dog might like and view as “true” rewards. They are not necessarily things that you like or even find acceptable.If you are having trouble thinking of possible reinforcers, visit our website at www.clickerdogs.com. Select “Articles” from the home page and then “List of Reinforcers.” This is a comprehensive list that can help you if you are stumped for ideas.

Ranking ReinforcementsOnce your three lists are complete, rank the importance of these reward to your dog within each one (food, toys and activities): • “A” rewards are those reinforcements that your dog will take any time, any place.• “B” rewards are those reinforcements that work most of the time, but not all of the time.• “C” rewards are those reinforcements that your dog will only take in certain, ideal conditions• “D” rewards are those reinforcements that your dog has only liked once in a while.• “E” rewards are those reinforcements that your dog will not take any time or any place.

Don’t be limited to the lines in the chart! Think hard and strong about what your dog finds reinforcing!




Your Dog’s Reinforcement List

Food Toys Activities




Reminders for Good Training

Remember your dog is a reflection of your abilities, keeping this in mind will lower your frustration level and multiply your tolerance.

Let “Value, Choice & Balance” be your guide in your training.

Average or better, today is the day I will stop giving “cookies for nothing” and start training purposefully!

Timing, Criteria & Reinforcement: Value, Placement, Delivery & Rate

Build the value - test the value or polish the value. Know your starting point in order to focus your training.

Let D.A.S.H. (Desire, Accuracy, Speed & Habitat) guide you in every session.

Think - Plan - Do - Review!

Positive is not permissive.

Work = Play = Work

Learning is always happening! Therefore you are always training 24/7 because dogs never stop learning!

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten -- lead the change you want to see in your dog training!




Critical Core Games

Record Keeping Sheets for a Brilliant Recall

Your Critical Core Games are:

1. The Collar Grab Game

2. Its Yer Choice

3. Restrained Recalls

4. Call Once Game

*** Just a reminder! The above games are “critical to the core” of your training throughout the course. Please try to work at least one of them into every training session you do throughout the remainder of the course.




Record Keeping Sheets for a Brilliant RecallStage One: Your Critical Core Day One

Date:_____________________ Time: _____________________ Your “H”_______________________

Game(s) Played:_______________________________________________________________________

What went Well What Challenged My Dog What Challenged Me

Carry Over Skill to Build into tomorrow’s session? _________________________________________

Any Inappropriate Rehearsals of Reinforcement by my dog today in his every day life?

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Any examples of good choices made by my dog today in his everyday life.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Any questions to the 5 Minute Formula Website?

______________________________________________________________________________________________



Any questions to the Recallers community?


Record Keeping Sheets for a Brilliant RecallStage One: Your Critical Core Day Two

Date:_____________________ Time: _____________________ Your “H”_______________________

Game(s) Played:_______________________________________________________________________




______________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________





Record Keeping Sheets for a Brilliant RecallStage One: Your Critical Core Day Three

Date:_____________________ Time: _____________________ Your “H”_______________________

Game(s) Played:_______________________________________________________________________




______________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________


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Record Keeping Sheets for a Brilliant RecallStage One: Your Critical Core Day Four

Date:_____________________ Time: _____________________ Your “H”_______________________

Game(s) Played:_______________________________________________________________________




______________________________________________________________________________________________


______________________________________________________________________________________________


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Stage One: Your Critical Core Day Summary

Game Success 1-10 Plan of Action

Collar Grab

Its Yer Choice

Restrained Recalls

Call Once

Questions to post on the Recallerʼs Website:





www.puppypeaks.com

www.handling360.com brilliantrecalls.com

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record keeping journal - brilliant recalls · but i do need to remind you ... garrett and say yes...

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