Help...DD afraid of dogs

[Minnie824]

DD4 had a birthday party to attend, and they have a really nice, but big, friendly dog. DD freaked. Everytime it came near, she almost started crying, and she'd jump. She didnt want me to leave her side while it was around. She's seen plenty of dogs, but never really has pet one, which is pretty much my fault, because I can't show her by example...I'm allergic to dogs...the one at the party licked my hand as I was keeping DD away from it, and I got hives on my hand and it was itchy within 5 min. So, I can't really show her. I explain to her that its nice, etc, but not sure what else to do. Any advice?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Do you know anyone with a smaller, calmer dog? Or a Golden who just lays there? If she can walk up to the dog on her own, and the dog doesn't come at her, it might be easier to desensitize her to the other dog.

It doesn't sound as though you will have a problem with her in the future approaching unfamiliar dogs, but make sure she knows to ask the owner if it's okay to pat the dog EVERY time she approaches. Just good sense.

 

[horsegirl]

I am so sorry you are allergic to dogs and that your DD is scared. This is common! Take the surpris factor out of it for your daughter. Try as best you can to let folks know ahead of time, of DDs fears, and make a request for them to have the dog put away for your daughter. She will likely continue to be frightened until she has a chance to get to know them on her terms, when she feels comfortable to approach them. Granted there will be animals in places that you don't have control over, and they may approach. She might pick up on your anxiety without you even realizing it. (I would be anxious too if I got hives and itches-how awful). Is there anyone in the family that has a pet that you can relegate this task to? There are therapy pets that visit hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Perhaps you can check to see if there is any organization in your area who might be able to help desensitize your DD. I would also get books and stuffed animals and talk about how loving and wonderful most dogs are, and go to the pet store and ooooh and aaaah over all of the cuties there. Dogs are such a big part of our society, it would be a shame for your DD to miss out due to her fears. I know she'll get through it, and hopefully she is not allergic too! Good luck.

 

[kellyg403]

I agree that maybe there is someone that you trust in your family or neighborhood that can help your dd with her sensitivity to dogs. She may not completely understand that you are allergic to them, not neccesarily afraid. My sister who is 38 detests dogs..big, little, no matter what color. We grew up with dogs, she never has been bitten, she just does not like them. So I would say try and see if she get better with the help of friends and family. If she just doesn't care for dogs you will know and can help her at that point. Hope it all works out for you!

Kelly

 

[Schmeck]

I was going to post that there were no dogs (except Pluto and Goofy, and the dalmations and lady and tramp0 at WDW, but then saw that this was another Off Topic post...

 

[cwnhokie]

My DS4 is afraid of dogs too. Not sure where it came from because I love them. We have several in the neighborhood and he asks his friends parents to put them up before he comes in. He came running in one day about a year ago yelling, "Jake was going to eat me, I was almost dog food!." Jake is our neighbors dog. He's a lab, about 10 years old, very calm and friendly. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him either.

 

[solferino]

There are some places such as nursing homes, group homes for the disabled and even hospitals that have therapy dogs who come for visits. I wonder if there is a facility in your area that has the dogs visit and you and your DD might be able to visit as well on that day. I imagine the senior citizens would love to see a little one visiting them, too.

Therapy dogs and their handlers do go through training and the dogs are well behaved as I understand it. Perhaps if their handler knew your DD was afraid s/he may have a special way of helping your DD understand that not all dogs are gregarious and playful.

D'oh! The therapy pet has been suggested. SHows me for not reading the entire thread first, LOL.