what is a behavior diary

A behavior diary is a tool that we use in behavior modification to help understand, predict, and modify a dog’s behavior. For example, if you were trying to modify your puppies’ potty habits, you would use a diary to keep track of every time a puppy went potty. Things that we can use a behavior diary include:

• potty accidents

• barking

• growling/biting

• digging

• counter-surfing

• jumping on people

• running away

• ….and more!

The diary helps us figure out the ABCs (antecedent - behavior - consequence) of the behavior. in other words, it helps us understand the behavior better.

The antecedent is what people often consider to be the ‘reason’ for the behavior. sometimes it seems that there is no good reason for a behavior, or we cannot figure out the reason/trigger and it is just a mystery…

The consequence of the behavior is what makes the behavior more likely to occur again. it can be hard to see reinforcement of behavior for dogs, though. sometimes it seems that the dog is behaving out of habit, compulsively, or automatically. the reinforcement may not be clear to us as observers.

You may start to feel that this ABC stuff doesn’t apply, or is not the right framework. that is a completely legitimate feeling. we have felt that way about our own dogs. instead of rejecting the entire framework, let’s define what we mean by “reason” or antecedent and a “purpose” or consequence then re-evaluate.

When we say that a dog behaves for a reason, we do not mean that the dog has what we would consider a good reason. we do not mean that the dog has a conscious/thought-out reason. in fact, the ‘reason’ the dog does the behavior may not be in the dog’s control at all. a better way of putting it may be: the dog has experienced a cue for the behavior. if we can detect the cues that are prompting the behavior, we are more likely to be able to predict and even control the intensity and frequency of the behavior. this is the first step to modifying the behavior.

For example: pressure of a human hand on a dog’s hip when they are sleeping may cue a protective growl or snap. the reason for the behavior is the pressure. the dog is not actively and thoughtfully reasoning to itself that the person touching them needs to be taught a lesson… it is more likely that the ‘reason’ for the behavior is self-protection, and that it is a pretty automatic or reflexive behavior —and— maybe the dog has a little arthritis, or is pressed up against the back of the couch with nowhere to escape to, and maybe the pressure of a specific person’s hand is more likely to result in a growl or a snap from the dog or maybe this is just the natural response for this individual dog.

The details of each event are meaningful. the details tell us a lot about what is difficult for the dog, and what alternative behaviors we might be able to train, or how we can minimize the practice of the behavior. even if we cannot figure out the specific ‘reasons’ for the behavior, we can use the diary to understand and predict the behavior more accurately. this is why we suggest a behavior diary.

What should you put in your diary? start with:

• what (exactly what did the dog do? be specific!)

• when (what time of day/day of the week)

• where (specific location of the dog)

• who (list other people, dogs, animals present- what they were doing and where they were in relation to the dog)

• context (what of importance has recently - as in the past few days as well as immediately before the behavior - happened)

• response (what was the response to the dog’s behavior, and what did the dog do next)