Life isn't Calm all the time...

When we live and work alongside dogs, it can be easy to fall into the idea that calm is always the goal.

But life isn’t calm all the time… and it shouldn’t be for our dogs either.

Dogs, just like us, need to experience a full range of emotions. Joy, excitement, curiosity, frustration, uncertainty, restfulness. These are all part of being a sentient being navigating the world. Trying to keep a dog in a constant state of calm can actually take away opportunities for learning, expression, and resilience.

At Alba Dogs, through ACE Free Work and Tellington TTouch, our focus is not about “switching dogs off” or slowing everything down for the sake of it. It’s about awareness. It’s about giving dogs the space to feel, to process, and to move in ways that support their individual needs.

Because what we often think is fun… might not feel that way for the dog.

Fast-paced games, high arousal activities, lots of excitement — these can look joyful on the surface. But for some dogs, they can bring feelings of overwhelm, frustration, or even uncertainty about what is expected of them. The body may speed up, the movements may become bigger or more erratic, and it can easily tip from “fun” into “coping”.

I see this in my own dog.

When she starts running around like a “crazy dog”, it would be easy to laugh and assume she’s having the best time. But when I step back and observe her objectively, I see something different. I see a nervous system that is struggling. A body that doesn’t feel safe. Movement that is driven by the need to escape rather than to engage.

That’s the moment I have to shift my perspective.

Not from what I feel I’m seeing… but from what she is actually communicating.

This is where balance becomes so important.

If a dog is not coping, then yes — we may need to slow things down. We may need to reduce intensity, offer more thoughtful environments, and support them in moving from the reactive brain into the thinking brain. ACE Free Work and TTouch can be incredibly valuable here, helping to soften the body, lower adrenaline, and give the dog space to process.

But this doesn’t mean life stays slow forever.

Slowing down is often just the beginning. It creates the foundation. From there, as the dog feels safer, more aware, and more regulated, they can begin to experience other emotions again — excitement, playfulness, exploration — but in a way that feels safe rather than overwhelming.

And this balance can be supported in everyday moments too… like on a walk.

If I notice a dog becoming overwhelmed, speeding up, or disconnecting from their body, I might gently introduce a Power Pose. A simple pause. An invitation to stop, take a breath, and feel.

Not forced. Not demanded. Just offered.

This can help the dog to ground again, to become more body aware, and to reconnect with their surroundings in a softer, more thoughtful way. From here, they can move forward with more awareness, rather than being carried by a reactive response.

Life is not about removing excitement.

It’s about creating balance.

Think about how we support children. We don’t fill their days only with fast, exciting activities. We don’t expect them to be constantly “on”. We balance it. We go to the park, we run, we play… and we also sit quietly, read a book, build something slowly, or simply rest.

Dogs need that same balance.

Moments of movement and moments of stillness.

Moments of excitement and moments of calm.

Moments of expression and moments of reflection.

When we begin to see our dogs through this lens, we can better support who they are, rather than who we think they should be.

And that’s where real change begins

Alba Dogs is here to always support both dog and it's guardian

If I can support you and your dog, please do not hesitate to reach out.

You can contact us via our website, social media or by visiting our online store to book a session today.

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Thanks, Pauline

Alba Dogs