How can I help my 5 year old son not to be afraid of dogs or any pets at all?

Question

My son is 5 and a half and when he was 2 we had a little dog get into our yard and jump all over my son's back (which was bare because he wan't wearing a shirt) and scratch him up. He has been so scared of little dogs or dogs that like to play ever since. I have so many friends that have dogs and it has come to the point where we just won't go there anymore. There has to be something I can do to show him that dogs are awsome pets. Do i get a dog and let them bond or do I just take him to my neighbor's who has a dog every so often and get him used to their dog? I don't know what to do. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Start going to adoption events where you can be one on one with the dogs. We actually have parents bring their kids up all the time. We are in the same location at petsmart every saturday so its easy to find us and we are always there.

We always have biscuits for the dogs and let the little ones give them biscuits. We really do see many improve over time. I think many do it more as a bonding something "they do" with their kids. And it does help. There are dogs of all sizes and shapes some barking some quiet he will get see many different ones.

Answer 2

I work at a shelter and we have had several dogs brought to us because they were purchased to help a child overcome its fear and the child didn't, so the dog was kicked out. This is not an option I would rush into.

I really think this question should be posed in a different category - childrearing or psychology. This is not a dog issue, but a people one. If your son is that afraid, simply having a dog around may not solve the problem. I'm terrified of bees, and I'll tell you that having a wasp in my house will NOT make me like them!!!! Get some tips on desensitization for a child.

Answer 3

You could try buying him a stuffed animal that looks like a dog. But he may be too old for that to really help him, so I'd say your best bet is to maybe let him get used to dogs a little bit. Put the dog on a leash, and let your son know he can't get to him, but that your son can get to the dog. Just give him time to bond with it. Maybe take him to a pet store, they never have aggressive dogs there (for safety reasons of course) and they're mostly all puppies. Take him into a meeting box with one and see how they do.

Answer 4

What I would do is start him off with something small, like a hampster or something like that. It will take some time for him to get used to these animals but let him do it at his own pace and don't push him. Take him to the pet shop and ask the people who work there if you can hold the animal. Show him how to do it as well. Let him hold it, but only if he wants to. Gradually move on to bigger animals, like kittens and rabbits, etc. When the time is right, he will understand that all animals will not hurt him, and that he just had a bad experience. I would let him interact with your neighbor's dog only when he initiates it himself. Thats not to say you can't...If he sees you doing it, chances are he will want to also.

Answer 5

Maybe take him to pet stores where the doge are either behind glass or cage areas and keep quite a distance between them and your son. that way you and he can just watch them without interaction. Do this for several times until your son realizes that they cannot get to him and he can watch how they play and interact with other dogs in the same pen. Then your son will realize they are playful not trying to hurt him specificaly, with your telling and reconfirming voice . After several times your son will be a little braver and you can shorten the distance between the pens and you and he will adventually want the pups to lick him.

Answer 6

I was deathly afraid of dogs as a child. My parents decided to get a dog to get me over my fear. I was about 7. They got a grown Siberian Husky from a relative and knew the dog was very mellow and friendly. My parents introduced me to the dog and because she didn't attack me and because she was so sweet, I got used to her very quickly. I would take the dog for walks with my parents and I was still scared when other dogs approached, but because I had a well mannered dog with me, I felt protected and this helped me slowly get over my fear. I still have it ingrained in me. Any time I see a strange dog running up to me I still feel that fear I did as a kid, but I can control it now. So it may never go completely away. But without a doubt, my parents getting that dog got me over my fear. I think it's a good tactic, as long as you are certain the dog is kid friendly and not aggressive.

Answer 7

domestic dogs and 3 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous do no longer mixture nicely youthful infants, hit, kick, pull ears, tails, fur, throw toys at them etc etc etc exterior whilst with you and your husband he's excellent because of the fact he does no longer might desire to have one on one touch which includes your toddler. interior is yet another tale. while the two are jointly you're able to desire to be interior inches to make sure your son is nor accidentally hurting or abusing the domestic dog. infants don't be attentive to a thank you to handle and have interaction with domestic dogs that is why that is counseled to no longer get a domestic dog until your youngest baby is a least 5 years previous.

Answer 8

Go to the pound and volunteer to walk some older dogs that are fine with kids. Have your son help you to walk them as well. I wouldn't take him around puppies though, because they bite and that will no help his situation. After he gets used to the idea, you could adopt one of the dogs he's been walking (only if he wants of course) and hopefully he will get over his fear.

Answer 9

l think making him get use to other people's dogs might help. but getting a small puppy and having it around will help the most. but puppies tend to bite a lot. so l told my sister to go to the shelter and get a dog that was not too old but a adult dog and her little girl got use to that dog and now are bond so close it is almost impossible to separate them

Answer 10

i would take him to the local pet store where he can watch the dogs through the glass, watching them this way the puppy are completely non threatening. eventually with a little time and patience he will want to pet the puppies while someone else holds the puppies and he can hold onto you.