how to get over a phobia of dog's?

Question

I need to get over a phobia of dogs as my father is getting a stafordshire bull terrior and he wont be pursuaded to not get one

Answer 1

The best way to get over a phobia of dogs is to slowly include them into your lifestyle. You should be confident around them and just expect them to friendly at all times. Go play with them and pet them and youll be over it in no time :)!!!

Answer 2

Go watch some Dog Whisperer, and you will learn that there is NO such thing as a bad breed and even a "bad dog" can be rescued. There is no need to be afraid of dogs, but plenty of reason to be afraid of the idiot holding the lease.

All types of pit bulls are about the best dogs you could ask for in a family. HIGH pain threshold so rough enough to play with children. Will protect the family and very affectionate.

Now you do have to know that this is a HIGH energy breed and if it does not get the proper exercise it needs you will have problems. Letting the dog out in the back yard does NOT count as exercise. Walk with it, run with it, play with it, give it a job, buy it a back pack, make it work.

Answer 3

If you have a rescue home near you, go along, explain your fears and offer to help out for a few hours here and there. They are always looking for people to spend time with the dogs and walk them. They will also make sure not to give you anything boisterous. Also....if your father is getting his from a puppy...you WILL fall in love with it. It will be tiny and sooo cute. It will then grow up with you around every day and you will be totally used to it. In fact, it is a good way to get over phobia's. You are going to have many occasions where you will be around dogs in your life and like most phobia's it is always better to get rid of them. My brothers wife is more scared of dogs than any other person that I know. I got a German Shepherd. She came over when he was 7 weeks old and a bundle of fluff and fun and off course, there is nothing scary about a puppy. Obviously she doesn't live with me, but just by her visiting once a month she is totally used to him and he is 54 kilos now. Hope that this helps and good luck.

Answer 4

Why did you develop this fear and is it a true phobia or a fear simply because you haven't been in contact with dogs?
You need to WANT to change otherwise it won't work. I doubt very much whether even a terrified person could really be afraid of a cuddly squirmy licky baby staffy. What exactly are you afraid that it will do to you?

Answer 5

If he's getting a puppy then its easy. All puppies are adorable and if you sit quietly with it on your lap a few times you will soon find the fear goes. If he's getting an adult then If you can try and meet other dogs first. Friends maybe can help! Get them to make their dog sit and hold your hand down in front of it and let it get your scent! stand to the side of the dog and moving calmly stroke it along its back.a few times then let it smell your hand again. Try not to show your fear and if you really are afraid to touch the dog then ignore it completely, dont even make eye contact with it. Carry on as if it isn't there and within a few minutes it will either settle down or go look for attention elsewhere. Once you get used to it being around the fear will fade. Hope you succeed and learn to like it. (If you ignore it, it sees you as higher in the pack and will respect you too.)

Answer 6

Whoa, that's rough! A phobia is real and your father is gonna put you through that? Well, he should be ready to help you if he is doing this to help you manage your fears. Did you have a bad experience with a dog when you were younger? Talk to your father about it. I hope he doesn't decide to just unleash the dog on you without helping you.

Answer 7

1. Have a friend or someone bring over their dog.
2. Watch the dog from as far away as you feel comfortable.
3. Slowly approach the dog. Don't feel afraid as the dog can sense it.
4. Let the dog smell your hand and then pet it. Dogs are great! As long as you are comfortable, they will be comfortable. You will slowly feel much better around dogs.
Good Luck : )

Answer 8

I suggest learning all you can about dogs especially dog body language because people who fear dogs unconciously give off signals of their fear and in fact provoke dogs more than usual. I suggest you read the following information about dog communication to start with it will help you understand how dogs think and talk to one another and people... once you learn that it will ease your fears alot because you will know how to understand what a dog is communicating to you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_communication
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog

Thats the first step in conquering a fear of anything.... collecting knowledge about it. Once you understand something you fear it alot less. Next you should learn how dogs interact socially and how you should interact socially with them. Alot can be learned from reading about the social hierarchy of wolves because dogs act in the same way... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_society
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_%28canine%29

Next you should learn basic dog training to give yourself some control over dogs you do finally meet, that way you can also conquer your fear, especially the first time you make a dog do a trick or command for you, it will help you see that you are in control and through that control there is nothing to fear... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_training



Finally you should face your actual fear and learn the how and why of dog attacks and dog aggression... learning what provokes an attack can help you gain confidence in avoiding that fear... once you learn how dogs communicate, socialize, behave and react... you can gain confidence in your knowledge that you can avoid your worst fear, the cause of your phobia which is the fear of being attacked by a dog.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_attack
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_aggression

Answer 9

Go to pet stores, and anywhere pets are public in your area. Assimilate in your own time. Why do you fear dogs? Looking into the "why" of your fear may be a helpful way for you to talk to your father about your fear.

Answer 10

Call your local animal shelter or Humane Society and explain your fear. I bet they would be willing to let you hang out with a little terrier and work your way up. You could even end up helping some homeless animals.