HELP!! dog trouble!?

Question

I'm afraid of dogs, but all my friends have them! What do I do!?!

Answer 1

Confront your fears. Try starting out small, like petting out a puppy. Keep petting it. The puppy will show its love for you. Then go on to bigger dogs. Dogs are one of the most loyal and trustworthy animals in the world. Trust me, I have an American Eskimo for about 10 years now. Been with me since I was little.

Answer 2

Try to get over your fear. There are several techniques that can work. I would suggest going to your friends house and have the dog in the other room and when you get comfortable with that have them put the dog in the room with you but at the other side while osmeone else pets it (make sure you use a friend with a well behaved dog) when you get used to that you then have the dog get a little nearer and repeat until you are ok to be comfortable around the dog. The best way to get rid of a phobia is to immerse yourself in the thing that scares you until it doesn't scare you anymore. It may take a few sessions until you can be around the dog and that is ok.
your friends should help you out with this if they are really friends

If you have no desire to get rid of the phobia then just invite them to visit you or hang out somewhere dog free

Answer 3

Why are you afraid of dogs? Since you know this and (i'm assuming) you are an adult, I would have the friend with the smallest, calmest dog sit with the dog on their lap and let you gradually get closer to it until you can pet it. Keep with the same dog until you feel comfortable then move to a bigger but still very nice, calm dog. If possible get yourself a 6 wk old puppy. You will fall in love! And they are completely harmless. I recommend a golden retriever if you go this route. They are very gentle and very loyal!

Answer 4

Atheist Lovebug's answer is quite good IF you want to address your fear of dogs.
Everyone is afraid of something, and for those who don't share your particular fear, it may seem irrational or silly. But it isn't to you, and that's what counts.
If you can't or don't wish to address this fear, simply ask your friends if the dog could be in another room, it's crate, or in the yard when you visit. If that's not an option, meet them elsewhere. Don't let anyone mock you or try to force you to be anywhere you are fearful. They truly aren't your friends if they do. My mother is terrified of cats and I have 4. I would never have her over without making sure they were in their room and she wouldn't hear or see them. It's not because she's my Mom, it's simply kindness and consideration. My cats aren't going to die if they can't be out and about in the house for a few hours, and my Mother is more comfortable and happy to visit. (And she can then focus on my poor housekeeping!)
If you do wish to try to overcome your fear of dogs, I recommend calling local professional trainers and asking them if they can refer you to someone who has a certified Therapy dog. These are dogs who have not only gone through obedience classes, but have their Canine Good Citizen certification and proven to be calm, gentle, and safe with children and elderly folks, as well as the general public. Their handlers also have verbal and hand signal control over them, and many of these dogs are smaller breeds. Explain your situation, and ask if they might have the time and be willing to help you. A small donation to their Therapy organization wouldn't hurt, either. Start by just being in the same room as the dog while it is on leash only as close as you feel comfortable. Then take deep, slow breaths to help you relax. Ask the handler to tell you about the dog, how it was trained, what kind of 'therapy' it does, etc. By focusing on the stories, you'll be less focused on the actual dog. You may need to do this a few times before you can be closer to the dog. Gradually have the dog closer to you until you can calmly sit with the dog next to your feet. Over time you may feel comfortable enough to touch the dog. Best wishes, whatever you choose to do.

Answer 5

I would try and pet the dogs and see if you like them.

I would start first around little dogs if you are afraid of big dogs.

Or if those ideas don't work ask your friends if they will put their dog outside if you are just staying a day or half of a day at their house, otherwise i would ask them to put their dog in the other room.

And don't be afraid if you haven't already, to tell them you don't like dogs and see what they do.

A true friend would respect your fear of dogs.

Answer 6

If it is as bad as you make it sound..
Start off with puppies.. Puppies are just like baby people.. All they want is attention & to play. Stick with that puppy if possible & as it grows up into a big adult.. It should lessen your fears & gain your trust.
The worst thing to do when around any dog is to show your fear. They can see it in your eyes & your movements & actions. Just pretend your friends dogs are just another one of your friends. You will eventually get use to the dogs hanging out with ya'll! Unless your friends dogs were abused or trained to be agressive you really have nothing to be afraid of. The more their dogs see you around,... the more they get use to you & the more you get use to them.
You'll be fine trust me on that.
Good Luck

Answer 7

why are you afraid of dogs? did something happen to you, or have you just never been around them?

a good place to start would be at a local Obedience school, and try to socialize with ONE very well behaved, supervised dog. then work your way up to being okay with other dogs.
learn about dogs, how they act, their body language, how they react to certain things....the more you learn about something the less that thing is scary.

contact a therapist and see if perhaps you need counseling about any "issues" you may have with dogs.


and DON'T test yourself on a friends dog...you need to be in a controled enviornment around pros until you are comfortable.

good luck.

this link may help also.
http://www.hypnoshop.com/dogs.htm

Answer 8

Talk to your friends and explain this to them. I would suggest having one of your friends bring their dog around you ON A LEASH, and just let you get used to being around it. Let the dog come up to you and smell you and do what dogs do. Take it slow. Some dogs can be dangerous, but most want to let you scratch their necks and rub their bellies. After you overcome this fear of dogs, you'll probably just fall in love with them.

I'm not a psychiatrist, but if this is an intense, overwhelming, fear, or panic, it could be a phobia, which would probably require a professional's help.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Try addressing the cause of your fear. Were you mauled or terrorized by dog(s) as a child?

If you can find out WHY you have this fear, maybe you can work on the mechanics of your fear. Put your fear to rest, and then find some nice, small, gentle dogs to be around. Have your friends help you. If they really are your friends, they will understand.

Answer 10

Confront your fears. Try starting out small, like petting out a puppy. Keep petting it. The puppy will show its love for you. Then go on to bigger dogs. Dogs are one of the most loyal and trustworthy animals in the world. Trust me on this 1.