Do I have to change?

Question

I have this huge fear of dogs, is it a normal thing? or do I have to overcome it? and if yes what can I do to help me not be scared of them?

I like all your answers. But I would never be able to touch a dog. I also think my fear for dogs comes from the fact that they can't communicate and I'm afraid they will atack me.

Answer 1

It is a common fear. We should always be striving to better ourselves though, so you should try to overcome it and any other phobias you may have, yes. As to a method you could try, I am not an expert in that field, so would do you no favours by attempting to advise you on it.
Your life would only improve if you did face your fear, as dogs are an integral part of society so you will always be around one!

Best of luck.

LOL, Danielle...you certainly know what to say to someone who fears dogs, don't you! [sarcasm]

Answer 2

If something happened to you or someone you know that was negative regarding a dog you have to realize that just like people every dog has a different temperament and personality. Dogs also act out based on their life. If the dog has been abused it will be very defensive. Other dogs are naturally very protective.

To get over your fear try going to the local SPCA or animal shelter and see if they have any classes for people who are uncomfortable around dogs.

Answer 3

You can't help what your afraid of!
You don't have to overcome it but there are
alot of dogs out there!
I would spend time at a persons home that you
know has a friendly dog and spend small amounts
of time with the animal until you are comfortable and
then go on to another pet and so on.

Answer 4

sweetheart, you never have to change... but if you want to there are two things you can do. 1) congnitive reconditioning - recognize your fear, remember it is just a fear and not a reality, and get over it, 2) desensitization - find someone you trust with a friendly dog and play for awhile, go to a dog show with a friend, go to the pet store and hold the puppies. Force yourself to be around dogs.

Remember you probably will never love them, but you dont have to be afraid anymore.

Answer 5

When you see them , u'd better not stare at them or do anything that draws their attention. Just go & do everything naturally. A dog will bark when it finds you to be a stranger but it won't if it get used to seeing you all the time. So, at first, if you don't want it to bite you, just keep a good distance from it & may ask its owner to keep it from you... I'm not afraid of dogs but i was once biten by a strange dog. Luckily, my pants was thick enough & nothing was wrong then. That was my garndpa's dog. The second night I stayed at his house, while i was going to the bathroom, it ran after me but I didn't react, just walked as if nothing was behind me... when I felt its breath right after me & his eyes at me, I turned round & "shhh"... It was very dark then. After the "shh", it left... and from then on, it get used to me. Try to get along with dogs with good food like chicken bones, meat etc. I did it several times & he became a very good friend of mine.

Answer 6

the only dogs you need to watch out for are pit bulls..you can usually tell a friendly dog versus an unfriendly one.

best thing is to go check out some dogs at the kennel or SPCA and pet a few so you won't be so scared.

dogs are scared of you too.

Answer 7

OMG!!!! ME TOO!!!! I once literally jumped almost to the street cause a dog was following me, I me two people once in seventh who had that same fear. I can't tell you to get over it but I can tell you it's normal. People have fears. I had a friend who even feared feathers. You don't have to change, it just helps.

Answer 8

It's normal. Sometimes it's something in your past with dogs that made you fear dogs

Answer 9

The easiest way is watch for dogs that are wagging their tails, a sure sign of friendliness. Rub them under the ears, which they love. If you aren't ready for that, visualize yourself patting dogs and enjoying it, and eventually you will love dogs.

Answer 10

You will probably be more comfortable if you are not afraid of them. They will also be more comfortable and will probably act less agressive around you. You could go to the animal shelter and volunteer to walk them (medium ones). Small ones are to yappy for my liking, but I don't fear them.