Fear of dogs

[Toln]

This one of my biggest fear, from puppies to German Sheppard. I have this fear when walking past people walking their dogs that the dog would sprint at me and bite my ankle or leg, and I won't be able to outrun the dog. Usually when I walk towards someone with a dog, I just change direction and walk backwards.

Anyone have tips on how to deal with it?

[Cuchculan]

I had a young neighbour with this exact problem. She used to freeze whenever she saw a dog. No matter what the size of the dog. But I got her to trust me once. I used to mind a dog for another neighbour. The whole thing was I told her that most dogs begin by sniffing around you. That is normal for a dog. We then got a tennis ball. I had her throw the tennis ball. The dog would fetch it. Bring it back to her. Not me. I could only promise her I wouldn't let the dog harm her in any way at all. She sat down one day and the dog sat next to her and put her head on this girl's lap. I guess you could say she saw that not all dogs are out to do harm. She began rubbing the dog. Within a week this dog was her new best friend. Her mother and father were gobsmacked. They had told me of her fear. Even with the smallest of pups. So to see her with this much bigger dog playing fetch and actually taken the tennis ball out of the dog's mouth, I mean it was a major step for her. I did ask how she got on when out with her parents following on from this. They both said her fear of dogs had gone. Now every dog was just a pet and she wanted to rub every dog she saw. It can be done. May be best to begin with a pup. But understand that pups have little sharp teeth. They don't mean to do any harm at all. By their nature they just tend to get a hold of anything that they can. Just cup your fist up. That way the mouth of the pup won't be able to get near your hand. But they are simply just playing. It is the only way I know to get by such a fear.

[tinam7]

Can't help but join in to say that I have never been able to get past my fear of dogs. We even had a dog with whom I was not thrilled either.

I thoroughly resent people with their dogs on a narrow sidewalk making no room for me. They have the right of way. Problem also is that dogs can sense fear. So I must go into the street. I always carry an umbrella which I point at them if they start to pull at their leash paying no attention to the owner. They get the point and back off. And these days it is common for people to have two dogs, not just one.