We take data on things that are important to us. For example, we take data on our health, education, finance, and fitness. When we take data, we track our progress toward our goals. We monitor our calorie intake, heart rate, saving amount, and so on. Data tell us how we are doing toward our goal, and this is an important decision making tools. 

 

When living and working with animals, the behaviors of our animals are no different - they are important for us. When building behaviors toward our training goals, we can take data on their behaviors, monitor how our training is influencing their behaviors, and make decision on our training. But..., how can we do that?

 

There are many steps in this process, and this is our effort to walk you through each step to establish foundational skills in taking data and graphing. After you complete this class, the skills you gain in this class can be applied to your current and future cases!

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Class Description

 

In this class, you will learn the foundational skills needed to use data and graphs to analyze, design, monitor, and revise any training program you will implement with your client. Rather than making training decisions based on your gut feeling and subjective opinion or relying on the client's report, data allow us to objectively see the pattern of behavior, how our training program influences desirable behaviors, and progress toward the training goals. Data and graph can become an important tools for your training!

 

You will learn the concepts and each step and skills involved in data taking and graphing through our lectures, exercises, weekly assignments, and discussions. This is an interactive class. You won't be able to apply what you learn by listening to lectures; you will have to actually do the work! We will have plenty of exercises embedded in the lecture, and we will also give you weekly assignments! We will also have discussion time for you to ask any questions you have. Once you learn the skills involved in data taking and graphing, you can immediately apply the skills with your client. If you are a CAAWT member, you can continue applying the skills from this class to any cases that you will share!

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Below are the steps in data collection and graphing. The class will follow each step in this way and gain knowledge and skills.

1. Pick a behavior

2. Define behavior 

3. Choose behavioral measure

4. Choose how to record

5. Create data sheet

6. Take data

7. Revise behavior definition, if needed

8. Put data entry on excel and create a graph

9. Analyze, interpret the graph (revise the graph if needed)

10. Make decisions 

 

CAAWT provides training and works with shelter dogs so that they can find their furever family and stay adopted. We have huge success helping shelter dogs find their furever home through Constructional Affection. Below are the success stories with the Constructional Affection of two shelter dogs, Carmel and Sammy!