Fear of dogs
Tips for overcoming it
TURN FEAR INTO LOVE
Approximate reading time: 8 minutes
Dogs are the most common pets in homes and, therefore, on the streets. For many, they are adorable and exceptional animals, whether they are part of their family or not. However, more than a few people suffer from a fear of dogs, better known as cynophobia. This anxiety disorder is quite common and greatly limits the lives of those who suffer from it, as it is enough to go for a walk to come across them. In this article we give you some tips on how to overcome dog phobia and enjoy the love and company of these amazing pets.
Table of contents
1. What is dog phobia or cynophobia?
4. How to overcome fear of dogs?
5. How can dog-assisted therapy help me overcome cynophobia?
What is dog phobia or dog phobia?
Cynophobia is an anxiety disorder characterised by an irrational and illogical fear of dogs. Although there are different degrees of this pathology, some sufferers may experience symptoms simply by looking at a picture of a dog or thinking about them.
It is important at this point to differentiate between phobia and fear. While phobia, as we said, is not governed by a logical explanation, fear is an emotion that is linked to the survival instinct and may be due to a past trauma related to dogs.
Both fear and phobia of dogs can cause different degrees of discomfort in people who suffer from them, not only when they are forced to deal with the presence of dogs in their daily lives, but also because of the limitation that not being able to enjoy the affection and loyalty of these endearing animals can cause in their lives.
Symptoms of dog phobia
Like all existing phobias, the symptoms that occur in people with dog phobia are typical of an anxious disorder. They may include alterations such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, anguish, sweating, avoidance behaviour and even panic attacks.
These symptoms may appear in the presence of a dog or, in the most extreme cases of cynophobia, by watching videos, talking about dogs or thinking about them. In this sense, it is important that you learn to listen to your body to detect the phobia and to what degree and in what situations the symptoms are triggered.
Why am I afraid of dogs?
The origin of this irrational fear of dogs is usually found in childhood. If you think you have a phobia of dogs, consider what messages you received about dogs when you were a child. Perhaps your parents, in an attempt to protect you, told you stories about aggressive dogs or warned you about them in a threatening way. You may have heard a story from a nearby adult about someone being attacked by a dog, or you may even have seen a film that shocked you too much.
Childhood is the time when we are most vulnerable to stimuli and mismanaged emotions during these years can cause trauma later in life. That is why, if you have children, we encourage you to break the cycle and, as far as possible, not to instil in them this terror of dogs. Whether or not you are afraid of dogs, you should never use them to instil fear in a child, as the effects you can have on them may last for a longer period of time and cause them a bigger problem than you imagine. On the contrary, the best thing to do is to teach them from an early age how to live with dogs and to learn to treat them with affection and respect in order to avoid bad experiences.
How to overcome fear of dogs?
As we have already learned, dog phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that, like the rest, can be overcome with psychological therapy. The cognitive-behavioural approach works with gradual exposure to achieve a desensitisation that eliminates the dog phobia. If you think you have a phobia of dogs, your fear of these animals prevents you from having a normal routine or you detect avoidance behaviours in yourself, we encourage you to seek professional advice from a psychologist. In addition, here are some tips that you can put into practice to overcome your fear of dogs.
- If your level of fear allows it, it may be a good idea to start by looking at pictures of dogs that you find less threatening, videos of puppies, documentaries... Observe their friendly behaviour carefully and try to manage the negative emotions that appear with rational thoughts.
- Learn about dog temperament. Information is power, and knowing about canine character and behaviour will reassure you a lot. The dog is a 100% social animal that has accompanied man since the dawn of mankind, being their friend, companion and close collaborator. There is nothing to be afraid of!
- Visit friends with small or calm dogs. If you are afraid of big dogs, you can start to socialise with smaller dogs and, progressively, spend time with larger dogs. We also advise you to start with calm dogs that are not too effusive so that you are not scared of their reactions.
- Learn how to approach a dog safely. If you are afraid of a dog biting or growling when you try to interact with them, first ask their owner about their character. It is best to always approach dogs with a relaxed attitude and speak to them in a soft, calm tone of voice, never touching them if you are unsure of their reaction.
- In your process of exposure to dogs to overcome dog-phobia, you can practice relaxation techniques and train yourself in positive thinking. Consult your therapist for help with these methods.
How can dog-assisted therapy help me overcome my dog-phobia?
Although it may seem paradoxical, dogs are such good friends to humans that they can even help people who are afraid of them. If you suffer from dog phobia and would like to overcome it in order to enjoy the company of these wonderful pets, we recommend dog-assisted therapy.
Remember that the dogs that participate in these sessions are trained for this purpose, so they are always friendly and docile animals. In this case, you don't have to worry about their temperament as they are fully trained.
Dog phobia is a pathology that has a very negative influence on people's lives. If you want to get rid of your fear so that you can cross paths with dogs in the street and greet your friends' dogs happily, we recommend that you get started as soon as possible. Now you know that recovery is possible and, although depending on the case the process may be more or less long or complex, it is well worth a try. Who knows, maybe you will even end up having a best friend as a dog. You may even end up having a puppy as your best friend and go from fear to deepest love, as is the case with many families we know. They overcame their fears and now enjoy the unconditional companionship of an Australian Cobberdog in their homes.
Just remember that before you make the decision to get a dog, you must be very sure about it, as it is a choice for life.