Please don't joke im serious
2007-03-06 09:39:36 · 7 answers · asked by Viva La Alexander! 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The therapeutic technique for treating phobias is called systematic desensitization and involves gradual approximations of contact with the feared stimulus (first only in your mind using imagery) combined with progressive relaxation until you are able to tolerate the phobic stimulus without anxiety. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can also be helpful if you were conditioned into fear through a traumatic experience with a dog.
2007-03-06 11:02:36 · answer #1 · answered by Opester 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't say if you had a bad experience with a dog earlier in life.
I would see if a friend has a very mellow dog and maybe you can slowly be around the dog until you trust the dog enough to pet it and see that it won;t hurt you. Some dogs can't be trusted but friends of yours with dogs you can be around and try not be scared you have to do something of this sort to get over your fear. Good Luck
2007-03-06 17:46:56 · answer #2 · answered by Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can either seek professional help, or try one or more of the following. 1. Look at a picture of a dog, from a distance, then a bit closer, until you are very close. 2. Go into a toy store or K Mart, etc., and look at a stuffed toy dog from a distance, then closer, then offer one hand, (with the fingers bent over and the thumb retracted - NOT balled into a fist!) to its nose for several seconds, as practice for later on. Then touch it fleetingly. Then stroke the fur on its BACK, from the shoulders to the hindquarters ONLY. If you can get one that barks and moves, buy it and take it home, and familiarise yourself with it. 3. Go to a pet store and look at the puppies from a distance, then closer, until you are as close as possible; note which one approaches you first. Offer to pay $10 or so (deductible from the price, should you decide to buy, otherwise as payment for their time), if you can see whether you get on OK with the puppy, and offer your hand as you did earlier, to its nose, for a few seconds only, then touch it lightly, then stroke gently from shoulder to hindquarters, and make a decision whether you want to buy or not. If not, go to a dog pound or shelter, and make a $10 donation, saying you would like to look at a friendly dog of a breed like a red setter or labrador, prior to possible purchase, to see whether you get on OK. Offer the dog your hand as before, for several seconds, saying "hello, nice doggie", in a friendly tone of voice, and slowly stroke gently, also as before. Decide whether to purchase. Get books on dogs and find out about them, maybe visiting a kennel club. A dog that wags its tail rarely bites. One which doesn't, and bares its teeth and growls menacingly is warning you to keep your distance. Don't look directly at it, or it may take it as a threat, and possibly attack, just keep your head and body turned away at a thirty degree angle, so you can still see it, and back away slowly.
2007-03-06 19:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a large stuffed dog plushie
Then go play with a puppy
Then try a friend who owns a well temepered small dog
and move up on sizes
2007-03-06 17:50:01 · answer #4 · answered by Yuff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is mine over matter. dogs can sense fear. say to yourself. i am not afraid, walk up to a dog stick you hand out. good luck
2007-03-06 17:48:19 · answer #5 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you handle cute puppies? I think if you can, and you raised a puppy to adulthood, It might help you not to be afraid of dogs anymore...
2007-03-06 17:47:15 · answer #6 · answered by xooxcable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
phobias are one of the easiest things to treat
contact a mental health professional for therapy
2007-03-06 17:42:52 · answer #7 · answered by chieromancer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋