Write what actually happened
Instead of “good on the walk,” record “looked back at me twice on the quiet path and returned for a reward.” The second note identifies an action and a setting you can repeat. Include only details that affect the next practice: location, distraction level, reward and the step that worked. You do not need a long diary or a score for every outing. One sentence written soon afterward is usually more reliable than a detailed reconstruction at the end of the week.
Avoid labels such as stubborn or dominant. They describe an interpretation, not the event you need to understand.
Record the boundary of the success
A dog may complete a hand target in the garden but find the same request beside traffic difficult. Both details belong in the record. Note where the exercise became harder and what you changed, without treating an unfinished step as failure. For example, “one step away on the mat worked; two steps prompted following” suggests a clear starting point for the next session. Include your own actions when relevant, such as preparing food earlier or choosing a non-slip surface.
This keeps progress tied to manageable conditions instead of expecting a skill to work everywhere after one successful lesson.
Use the note to make one decision
Before the next practice, read the previous sentence and choose whether to repeat the same level or make one modest change. Do not increase duration, distance and distraction together because the diary looks positive. Review several notes occasionally to notice patterns: evenings may be quieter, a certain route may offer more room, or a different reward may suit the exercise. If entries repeatedly describe discomfort or distress, seek appropriate professional advice rather than using the record to justify more repetitions. The notebook should reduce guesswork, not create pressure to improve every day.
