The before, during, after observation method
The aim is a usable account of one naturally occurring episode. You are not scoring your dog, proving a theory or waiting for enough entries before getting help.
Before: describe the scene
Write the time and setting, who was present and what you actually saw immediately beforehand. 'Doorbell rang' is an observation. 'The visitor made him anxious' is an interpretation. You can record both, but label the second as a question. If you arrived after the episode began, mark the start as unobserved.
Original record-keeping method by the PawLine editorial team. Not clinical guidance.
During: use plain actions
Describe turning, looking, licking, chewing or contact with the tail. Note whether a normal everyday cue happened and what followed, but do not turn this into repeated interruption tests. Duration can be measured, estimated or unknown. Keep those three states separate. Avoid precise-looking numbers when you only saw part of the episode.
Original record-keeping method by the PawLine editorial team. Not clinical guidance.
After: record the next ordinary activity
Did the dog rest, eat, play, continue licking or move out of sight? Record only what you could see. If a toy was offered, write when it was offered rather than claiming that it 'fixed' the problem. A calm-looking end does not rule out pain or another underlying cause.
Add concerns outside the timeline
Visible injury, discomfort, sudden change or difficulty resuming ordinary activities should stay easy to find, not buried in a long narrative. AAHA and VCA explain why these are reasons to speak to a veterinarian. The worksheet does not convert them into a severity score or tell you to wait.
AAHA: Why do dogs chase their tails? · VCA: Why Dogs Chase Their Tails
Use an honest summary
A useful handoff might read: 'Three episodes noticed; two starts missed; chewing seen once; duration unknown; first noticed Tuesday.' That is stronger than a confident theory built on incomplete viewing. Bring uncertainty to the appointment. Your veterinary team can tell you which details to collect next.
Original record-keeping method by the PawLine editorial team. Not clinical guidance.