Fear of Dogs

People have different fears. Some are scared of insects, and some of darkness. Some are scared of commitment and some of hospitals or doctors. And some are scared of dogs. As a dog lover, this fear baffled me. The average dog is a tail wagging, butt-sniffing, barking cream puff. They like to chase their own tails and drink out of the toilet. What's there to be scared of? A good friend of mine, who fears dogs, gave me a lot of points. Teeth, rows and rows of teeth. Unpredictable behavior like barking, jumping... the list went on and on. What frightens me is her behavior around a dog. She goes all stiff and jerky, and will climb a tree, just to let it pass on the street. And she's not alone. The fear of dogs is one of the most common phobias present today. Let's take a look at this phobia, and the symptoms and treatment.

Fear of Dogs (Cynophobia)
Abnormal or irrational fear of dogs is called cynophobia. It is a type of animal phobia like the fear of snakes or cats. In Western countries with a large dog population like the U.S., the fear of dogs can be a serious phobia, which affects a person in their everyday activities. The severity of cynophobia differs from person to person. Some are simply fearful of large dogs. Some are scared only of stray or wild dogs. You can be comfortable watching dogs on the TV or in pictures, but terrified of them in real life.

Cynophobia Causes and Symptoms
Fearing dogs is a common childhood fear. Even children brought up around a dog can be scared, and if an adult does not identify this fear, then it becomes a phobia in adulthood. Being bitten or attacked or even chased as a child can lead to cynophobia. Another cause is adults' behavior around dogs. If a mother is scared of an approaching dog, her fear is observed and magnified by the child. Other adults' experiences and impressions influence the child's attitude. A fertile imagination combined with incomplete or wrong ideas about dogs can lead to a full-blown phobia. Parents, while trying to teach kids to be careful, often end up teaching them to be scared or wary of dogs. If you are scared of dogs, you may display the following symptoms:

• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Freezing in terror
• Feelings of dread or terror
• Urge to cry
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dry mouth
• Taking extreme measures to avoid the dog
• Excessive sweating
• Inability to speak or think clearly

Being scared of dogs can cause a person to avoid neighbors and friends with dogs, and social gatherings where people can bring dogs. Some people even develop agoraphobia and social isolation, as they become unwilling to leave their homes.

How to Overcome a Fear of Dogs
In their book Specific Phobias, Drs T. Bruce and W. Sanderson noted that the onset for dog and cat phobias is usually between the age of 5 and 9. To counter the fear in children, here are some simple steps:

1. Understand your child's fear
2. Take small steps, don't get impatient or rush
3. Take your child to meet a dog, preferably an adult one
4. Understand dog body and face language yourself
5. Let your child pet a dog
6. Teach your kids how to behave around dogs
7. Tell your kid to ask about the dog first, before touching or approaching

With adults, there are two main treatment options: professional and self-help. Professional methods include:

Systematic Desensitization: The patient imagines situations with the dogs, and is taught relaxation techniques to deal with those situations. After some time, a live dog is used and patients can practice the techniques to alleviate their fear.

In Vivo or Exposure Therapy: The patient is exposed to a dog for a period of time until he can handle the situation without giving in to his fear. First, he is just placed in the same room as the dog, and is encouraged to approach the dog and fully interact with it, as his fear decreases. This is one of the most effective methods to relieve the fear. Other methods include hypnosis and virtual reality sessions.

Self-help includes increasing your own knowledge and awareness about dogs. Learning more about dogs decreases your fear. Approach leashed or chained dogs. If the dog is supervised or controlled, it can't do you any harm, and so lessens your fear. A good step is to play with puppies. Cute, wriggly and small puppies are harmless and will boost your confidence. Expose yourself more to dogs around you. Visit people with dogs, as you feel more confident if the owner is there with you. When meeting a new dog, let him sniff your hand first. Pet the chest and neck areas, avoid the head. Don't stare into his eyes as this is a sign of aggression. Don't run or scream or act excited as this panics the dog and he might start barking or jumping.

A fear of snakes or even a fear of spiders is understandable. But a dog is a wonderful animal, loving and full of life. It was created to be loved, not to be feared. Like most animals, it attacks only in self defense. The fear of dogs is a scary and a debilitating phobia, as there are so many chances to meet the object of your fear. It's nearly impossible to find a dog free area, so stop hiding and face your fear. With the right attitude and help, cynophobia can definitely be cured.