Anyone else have a dog phobia?

[florida-again]

I know we have a lot of dis'ers who love dogs, but are there any others here who are scared of dogs?

I am! There was never a starting point in my childhood, I've just been afraid of dogs for as long as I can remember.

Anyone else??? Or am I alone?

 

[Pooh67_68]

I am not to kean on them, although I like to see pictures. I have always had an aversion to all animals. When I was 4 my mother took me to a zoo and I screamed so bad that we had to leave.

For a couple of years we did have 2 dogs (my dh always had a dog growing up and wanted one), took me a while to warm up to them. We eventually moved to a very small apartment and had to find them new homes.

Now that we own a home dh said no pets, I am actually allergic and he doesn't want to board them when we go to Disney.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm don't but there are members of my family who do. I can understand why certain people wouldn't like dogs, they're not for everyone. I couldn't tell from your post if this is something you wish to try to overcome, but if it is there are ways you could. Many people who are afraid of dogs go on to get one that they love, it depends on the dog I suppose. I try to be respectful of people who are afraid of or uncomfortable around my dogs. Good luck.

 

[we3disneygo]

aw: my dd11 is very afraid of dogs, when she was little the neighbor's had a dog and it jumped up on her and scared her......she likes little dogs , but if there's a stray in the neighborhood she'll run in the house.

 

[pattyT]

When my oldest was little she would scream like crazy when a dog came near her!
I don't go near any dog unless the owner is there and I KNOW it is safe...
I might even relent and let the kiddos get a pooch in the new house

 

[grlpwrd]

I used to be afraid of dogs because I was attacked as a child. Edit: It seemed severe to me at the time because I had an intense fear, but looking back he didn't maul me or anything like that.

It all changed when I met Zach, a beautiful collie. He was so gentle and friendly. May he rest in peace. It also helped that my kids knew how to approach dogs and have fun with them.

Since then I love dogs and I teach my kids about dog safety, too, so hopefully what happened to me won't happen to them. I'm actually thinking about adopting one from our SPCA after we get our fence in.

It took time to overcome my phobia and if I can do it, believe me, I think anyone can.

 

[mrsgus06]

I have a dd that will be 7 next month. She is terrified of any dog, large or small. I don't really know why she is so scared. Maybe something happened to her when she was small and lived with her biological mother. I have had her since she was 2 and I know she has never had a bad encounter with one while with me . I would love to help her overcome this fear because she hardly has any friends and the few that she does have she won't go to their house because they have a dog. Getting a dog or pet of any kind is not possible for us right now. We have too many kids running around and a pet would just be one more thing for me to do. Also, we spend our summers in our camper at Ft. Wilderness. Eight weeks with 5 kids is enough for me, can't imagine trying to fit a dog in the camper with us! Talk about your love

 

[lisajl]

I love animals, work for a veterinarian. With that said we had someone bring in a Presa Canario (sp) the other day. I was not too keen on that dog.
They are known for attacking and killing people and anything else.
I tried to get the dog on the scale but the dog did not want me near her.
So, I looked to the owner to do it and she could not control the dog.

SO....my answer would be, yes, I occasionally have dog phobia....
I did not want that dog to eat my arm off.

Lisa

 

[HoneyPooh]

Twice bitten forever shy. I have the scars to this day and that was back when I was 13 I think, I'm now 42. Got me in the face the first time and the arm the second (same dog). Anyway, I don't hate dogs or anything, but they make me nervous and I can do without being around them. I just don't enjoy the whole dog experience. My DH and sons have a dog now, he's a sweet dog and I don't wish him any harm, but I could do without him and if something were to happen to him I would not want to replace him very soon. I do get tired of people wanting to help me "get over" my dog thing. I'm not terrified or anything I'm just not a fan. Why is it people think there is something wrong with you if you don't enjoy dogs? I've been looked at like I would kick a puppy! I grew up with pets all over the place. We had dogs, cats, horses, mice, hampsters, rabbitts and at one point a wounded raccoon. I love animals, I just don't feel comfortable around dogs now and I don't think it's that big a deal so I don't worry about it.

 

[Marseeya]

Nope, I love dogs, but for the longest time I had a cat phobia! It eventually faded to where I tolerated them and I did get one for my kids. I'm fond of her, but I don't love her the way I love my bird or dog.

When I was little, I was attacked by a neighbor's tom cat. He shredded one of my legs and my dad had to take me to the hospital to get it cleaned up.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I love animals, work for a veterinarian. With that said we had someone bring in a Presa Canario (sp) the other day. I was not too keen on that dog.
They are known for attacking and killing people and anything else.
I tried to get the dog on the scale but the dog did not want me near her.
So, I looked to the owner to do it and she could not control the dog.

SO....my answer would be, yes, I occasionally have dog phobia....
I did not want that dog to eat my arm off.

Lisa

I looked that dog up and wow! Did you get it on the scale? How much did it weigh and more importantly WTH are people doing getting a dog like that and NOT training it!!!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I've got a major fear of dogs. I don't know where it came from - I never had a dog as a child and was never attacked by one. I'm afraid of them coming near me and jumping on me. I know I look dumb, an adult running and hiding from dogs, but I don't really like them either so I have no desire to overcome this phobia.

 

[lisajl]

I looked that dog up and wow! Did you get it on the scale? How much did it weigh and more importantly WTH are people doing getting a dog like that and NOT training it!!!

Nope did not get her on the scale. The funny thing was that the owner was looking at ME to put her dog on the scale. I'm like...NO WAY Lady!
When I started to lead her to a room she said, "I really want to know what the dog weighs." I told her we could try when she came back out of the room, if she could control the dog.
Well, we had a lot more clients come in, one of them had two dogs with them, so she did not get to weigh her precious dog.
I don't think she was that big, maybe 60-70 lbs, but she was solid! She looked like a mass of muscle. So, I tried not to mess with her.

Don't even get me started about dogs that are not trained. Even the basic commands are good for most dogs. We had someone bring in a Doberman yesterday for surgery and she did not have it on a leash. As soon as another client opened the front door, the dog ran down the main street here in town.
We had loads of fun yesterday.

Lisa

 

[Hercules10]

Don't fret. I love dogs and have two large Shiloh Shepherds. BUT I'm scared to death of Rotweillers. Don't know why, they're beautiful dogs. I just get edgy when I'm around one and that in turn makes the dog edgy.

Dogs can sense fear and that just multiplies the problem for folks who fear them.

 

[NMAmy]

I was terrified of dogs when I was a child because one day, when my grandmother and I were out walking, a dog attacked and Grandma beat it off with a stick. Scared the bejeebers out of me even though I wasn't hurt.

My dad got tired of me freaking out every time a dog appeared--it was really getting to the point where I was afraid to leave the house. So, he got me a collie puppy for Christmas when I was about 8. He was tiny and impossible to be frightened of. It really helped me to get over my fear--he got huge eventually but was very gentle and protective and it happened gradually so it wasn't a shock to me.

I really appreciate my dad doing this for me. He didn't want to get a little dog for fear I'd still be afraid of large dogs. I've had dogs all my adult life--all sizes and my ex even had a K9 (talk about scary sometimes!) I haven't been afraid of dogs since and I give my dad all the credit for teaching me to enjoy dogs.

 

[mrsmom]

My youngest was very scared of a dog or any animals, My oldest was bitten by a rotty in the face, before he was born but he heard her talking about it. He would scream if any animal came near him, like someone was hurting him.
I finally had to do something, so i got a shih tzu and it took him all of a week and now that dog is his best friend, He isn't afraid of any animal now. But i know there are alot of people that are afraid of dogs.
Kim

 

[imsorry]

Actually, I have the opposite problem. I never met a dog I didn't like, even after having been bit more than once! I actually print out pictures of cute dogs in people's signature lines!

 

[Pooh67_68]

I am not to keen on them, although I like to see pictures. I have always had an aversion to all animals. When I was 4 my mother took me to a zoo and I screamed so bad that we had to leave.

For a couple of years we did have 2 dogs (my dh always had a dog growing up and wanted one), took me a while to warm up to them. We eventually moved to a very small apartment and had to find them new homes.

Now that we own a home dh said no pets, I am actually allergic and he doesn't want to board them when we go to Disney.

I was bitten by a Shepard when I was younger. We were at a cowboy boot store and I had to use the bathroom, well I couldn't get the door to open so I was banging and yelling for someone to let me out, all the adults were at the other end of the store and the only one to hear me was the owners Shepard and when I finally got the door open the dog came over and bit me on the leg (breaking skin).

I did learn to be ok with the dogs my husband had gotten(black labs) and the biggest one would not leave my side, and protected me one day when someone tried to walk in my house unannounced (bet he never tried that again.) But even after having dogs of my own, if we are going to visit someone who has a dog I am still very nervous, luckily the owners understand and will but the dog in another room or outside while I am there.