Quiet Tails Journal / How to keep a trigger log for your dog
How to keep a trigger log for your dog
Quick answerEach time your dog is anxious, write four things: what happened just before, what your dog did, what happened after, and what helped. After two weeks, patterns usually show. Bring the notes to your vet or trainer.
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The four lines
- Before: where, when, who was there, what sound or event came first.
- Behavior: what you saw (see the signs list), and for how long.
- After: how long until your dog settled, and what you did.
- What helped, and what did not.
An example entry
| Date / time | Before | Behavior | After / what helped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 6:40 pm | Delivery truck on the street | Barked, then paced and panted for 10 minutes | Moved to back room with chew; settled in 15 minutes |
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Why Cornell says to look at the whole picture
Cornell’s Dr. Katherine Houpt says she almost never diagnoses anxiety alone: something else is usually behind it. Dated notes help your vet find out what, whether it is pain, a medical problem, or a behavior pattern.
Tips
- Log good days too. They show what is working.
- Record time of day. Night restlessness in an older dog can be a different problem.
- Take a short video when it is safe, and show your vet.
- Include meals, walks and medications so patterns show.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I keep a trigger log?
Two weeks usually shows patterns, but ask your vet or behaviorist what they want to see.
Sources
- Cornell Vet: Anxious behavior in dogs https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/anxious-behavior-how-help-your-dog-cope-unsettling-situations
- AAHA Behavior Management Guidelines: common signs of anxiety/distress https://www.aaha.org/resources/2015-aaha-canine-and-feline-behavior-management-guidelines/common-signs-of-anxietydistress/
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