A consistent training log is one of the most underrated tools in positive reinforcement training. When you track what you practiced and how it went, you can spot plateaus early, celebrate real progress, and adjust your timing before bad habits set in. Print this log, keep it on your training bag, and fill in a quick row after each session.
How to Use This Log
- Sessions: how many short training sessions you did that day (aim for 3–5, 2–3 minutes each)
- Reps: total number of cue attempts across all sessions
- Reward %: rough percentage of reps where you marked and rewarded — useful for tracking if you’re treating too rarely (below ~80%) or need to raise criteria
- Notes: anything useful — what distracted the dog, which reward worked best, signs of stress
How to print: Click the button below, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) / Cmd+P (Mac). Set paper size to A4 or Letter, landscape works well for this table.
Daily Dog Training Log
dogguidediary.com — free printable
| Date | Command(s) Practiced | Sessions | Reps | Reward % | Reward Used | Notes (what worked, distractions, dog’s energy level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Log
- Fill it in immediately after training, not at the end of the day. Memory for “how many reps” fades within minutes.
- Low reward % (below 70%) usually means your criteria are too high. Drop one step back.
- Plateau for 4+ days? Change the reward, the location, or the order of cues — not the criteria.
- One page per month gives you a visual record you can flip back through to see actual progress.
Looking for a reactive dog–specific tracker? Download our Reactive Dog Trigger Diary to log what your dog reacted to and what helped.
Also useful: If you’re tracking progress and starting to reduce treats, the Treat-Fading Calculator gives you a week-by-week schedule based on where your dog actually is in training.