Do You Log Your Training Sessions?

Well, you should!

In nose work, it’s easy to focus on the hides, the locations, or what we want to “fix” next. But one of the most powerful tools you can add to your training isn’t another setup or exercise — it’s a training log.

A training log is more than a record of where you trained or what odor you ran. It’s a tool for clarity, growth, and intention in your nose work journey.

Why Logging Matters

Consistent logging helps you:

  • Slow down and really evaluate what happened in a session

  • Notice patterns over time — both helpful and unhelpful

  • Make more thoughtful decisions about what to train next

  • Track progress that’s easy to miss in day-to-day training

Many handlers find it helpful to jot down a few notes shortly after a session. This doesn’t have to be long or polished — even a few lines about what went well, what felt unclear, or what your dog showed you can be incredibly valuable. Over time, those small reflections add up to meaningful insight.

Some teams like to pair written notes with short video clips or photos. Others enjoy flipping back months later and seeing how far they’ve come. There’s no single “right” way to log — the value is in the practice of noticing.

Process Over Perfection

Logging also supports a shift away from outcome-based thinking and toward process-based training. Instead of focusing only on whether the search was “successful,” you might choose Training Process Goals — how you want to show up for your dog.

Examples might include:

  • Presenting information clearly

  • Pausing or stopping when things feel confusing

  • Listening to stress signals or moments of uncertainty

You won’t meet these goals perfectly every session — and that’s okay. Misses are information, not failure. A log gives you a place to reflect, adjust, and keep moving forward with intention and kindness.

A Space for Honest Reflection

If you’re looking for a notebook to help get this process started, I do have an option available that includes prompts and ideas to support thoughtful logging. More importantly, though, any log you use should feel like a space for honesty, curiosity, and learning.

Use a log to support both you and your dog — and to build a sustainable, thoughtful training practice throughout 2026.

If you’d like more details, please reach out.

Tamre Huber, CNWI, Gooddog@startmail.com, noseworkbyK9Genie.com

nose workTamre Huberk9 nose work, scent training