#3 Own Your Bubble

Highfives Insights #3: Take control, responsibility, and leadership of your bubble. 

Your bubble is the immediate space surrounding you where your energy is strongest and where you can physically reach, almost like a sphere that encompasses your physical body. On a walk, that bubble should includes your dog and yourself (and maybe your significant other if he or she is amazing enough to join you). Now listen up… You and your dog will react to the outside world based on the energy action going on inside your bubble. 

So it is paramount that you regulate your bubble. How do you do that? I'm going to throw some new perspectives out here by listing some simple but perhaps foreign ideas to our culture.

First of all, don't let other dogs meet your dog on leash. There is incredible pressure that is created when a stranger with a strange dog (or even a friend’s dog) walks straight into the bubble of another dog and human. With both dogs on leashes and facing each other, tension isn’t just going to be in the leashes but also in the entire atmosphere. How many dogs do you know who do not react in any way when being approached by another dog? I'd say over 90% of dogs will have either a reaction of alertness, arousal, anxiety, excitement, or all of those emotions which can lead to aggression from either dog.
While out walking, scan ahead to read those beings who are approaching you... Is the dog on a flexi lead? Is the dog walking the owner? Is the owner on a cell phone? How relaxed is the body language? Give appropriate space when you feel unsure. Avoid those who don't look trustworthy. Your dog doesn't need to socialize with strange dogs who are walking by in public. Don't put yourself and your dog in a situation where you could lose control when your calm bubble is infiltrated. 

Be careful of who you allow to touch your dog. A lot of people love petting dogs but lot of dogs don't love being pet by strangers. Over-excitement can actually be a sign of underlying nerves and anxiety, instead of actual happiness! Guide dogs learn that they don't get attention from people passing by because they have to focus on their handler. They are calm and confident in their work and their handler. Dogs have more trust in a human who can properly protect and manage the bubble that they are a part of. 

Stay calm and assertive while in public. You don't owe anything except to yourself and your dog. A lot of people feel self conscious or judged when in the public eye. That perspective causes embarrassment, uncertainty, and hesitation which compromises our bubble and creates massive passive energy from us. When we feel this way, our dogs start having to step up their own protective behaviours.
News flash… The public will always judge you but their opinion usually should not matter as much as it does! Whether you have a dog who struggles in public or not, you need to be consistent and stick with firm rules. You can say no to someone who wants to pet your dog. You are allowed to avoid those dogs who might stress out your bubble. Breathe deep and often so you can relax and cleanse yourself. 

Keep your dog on a 4 to 6ft leash and utilize proper training equipment. Keep your dog close to you! 
Be aware of the inside and outside of your bubble. Watch your energy and view your dog’s body language as a guide to his state of mind. Your dog doesn't know how to act in our world unless you teach him. 

Your dog needs to be able to trust in being protected by you. All it takes is the allowance of strangers and dogs continually entering your bubble to create a dog who is on edge or over excitable. Worst case scenario, it could even end in a fight or a bite. By managing your bubble responsibly, you're training your dog to trust and follow your lead.

No train, no gain!

Jenna