https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:35:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926434 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:57:44 +0000 Mommy Finger 2926434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to give you kudos for how you're handling this and wanting to get your son comfortable with dogs. When I little, I had 3 traumatic experiences with dogs. One of them included being locked in the bathroom several times with an extremely loud barking and scary (to me) dog by my neighbor "friend". I don't think my parents knew how much that really affected me and while I like dogs, I've never been super comfortable around them. It's a bit frustrating that I get made fun of by some friends and family b/c I don't want a dog and don't immediately turn into a giant puddle of goo around them. Like somehow that makes me a bad person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926395 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 08:45:17 +0000 mamabolt 2926395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No idea if there are programs like this in your area, but in mine (metro Philly) there are programs where kids can read to service dogs in training at our local libraries, which I know for some of my friends with kids with dog fears have been really helpful for their kids to get a little experience with very well trained dogs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926391 Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:18:38 +0000 Corduroy 2926391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the tips!</p> <p>@jennlin821: Thanks for writing out a whole script! Super helpful!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926390 Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:55:24 +0000 jennlin821 2926390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had an irrational fear of dogs my whole life, so here is what I learned and continue to do. </p> <p>First, during a calm unstressful moment, talk to your son about dogs. Something like: </p> <p>"Dogs love to run, jump, sniff, bark, and lick. this is how they get to know you. Isn't it funny that humans smile and high five, but doggies want to sniff your bum and penis? Thats because their nose is so strong, they can tell who you are by your smell! Every dog is going to want to smell you. Thats also why they lick! they want to taste and kiss you. </p> <p>Doggies LOVE to run. Its their most favorite thing in the whole world - just like you love (legos/karate/baking/superheros). So if you try to run away, the doggie thinks you want to play. And they are fast! Humans can't usually beat a doggie in a race. So even if you want to run away, the best thing is to stand still. Its very hard to do when we are scared. But the doggie will then sniff you, realize you don't want to play and go away. </p> <p>Doggies also love to jump. its probably their second favorite things besides running. Have you ever seen a doggie jump to catch a frisbee? If you lift your hands up, to get away from the sniffing dog, its going to think you want him to jump up. So we should cross our arms or put them behind us, while we stand still. </p> <p>So, if we are playing outside and a friendly dogs comes walking over, what do we do? We stand still, look up at the sky, and cross our arms and wait for the doggy to finish sniffing us. Try not to cry or scream- if you need to say something forcefully repeat No Thank You. </p> <p>If a dog comes running at you, or even a friendly/known down is scaring you, the best thing to do is stand still, cross your arms and yell NO! STOP! NO! as loud as you can. Doggies learn a few words and no is one of them." </p> <p>I hope this helps a bit. In general, I find dog owners to not be understanding of fears or allergies (for every 1 good dog owner, there are 10 bad ones). I can't count how many times I still need to shout "No!" as an unknown dog comes bounding at me (or my kids) because the owner is ineffectively managing it. </p> <p>Standing still while wanting to run, and not putting your hands up away from a predators mouth is EXTREMELY difficult. Its going to take him some time to learn these coping skills. </p> <p>I'm desperately trying not to pass my fear onto my kids, but its even harder to appear calm and not afraid while wanting to run :grin: </p> <p>Let me know if you have any questions, or need any other talking points. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926389 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:13:01 +0000 sckim 2926389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is scared of dogs. She had an allergic reaction and ended up in the ER with terrible wheezing after the dander got in her nose. </p> <p>We talk about it- how to approach dogs, what to do if a dog runs at you, etc, but truthfully, i get frustrated at unleashed dogs. I think most people think im overreacting when i tell them shes allergic. She probably wont end up in the ER again with dog dander exposure since we carry her albuterol around but its frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926376 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 08:44:04 +0000 Lahela017 2926376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is only 3, but we had a similar experience to PP. We were at a neighbor's house last summer, playing in their backyard and their large, very active, dog was going crazy with the excitement, trying to play with DD. She was having none of it and became extremely scared of all dogs. (prior to this, she liked seeing dogs) Whenever we see a dog on a walk, we talk about them and read books about them too. What really seemed to be a turning point though was about a month ago, we visited a relative who has a very small, calm dog. My husband played with and sat with the dog all afternoon while we visited, and DD watched. She did not want to interact with the dog, but seeing my husband interact with it really seemed to help. It was also good that it was a small dog.</p> <p>Like you, I'm allergic and have never been a dog person, so I couldn't care less if she doesn't want to play or pet a dog. So, I'm happy with where we're at now. She seems ok with seeing a dog at a park now. Though, I'm sure a large dog getting up in her face would really set us back. I get it though, that would also make me uncomfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926375 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 23:09:09 +0000 peaches1038 2926375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my son had a similar experience when he was 5 where we were at a friends house and their playful dog came bounding up to DS. DS got super freaked and backed up quickly and fell backwards right into their inflatable kiddie pool. He was traumatized. It took almost a year for him to feel at ease around that dog again and he is very cautious around new dogs. Some things that worked for us was still being around our friend’s dog, but they kept him on a leash while we there until DS felt comfortable. We also read a lot of books that had dogs in them, talked about dogs we saw when we were out and watched some training videos on YouTube that featured kids. We talk about when and how to approach dogs (ask permission, only pet the upper back, calm body) , what to do if an unknown dog approaches him (don’t run or scream, cross arms and turn body away) and we are very vocal to our friends about having their dogs on a leash or in their crate/another room when we first arrive until the dog is settled. All of these convos with DS happen pretty organically when we see a dog out in town or while hiking etc. we don’t harp on it, just briefly touch on it and move on unless he wants to talk about it more. It’s been a slow process but it’s a lot better now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fear-of-dogs-suggestions#post-2926374 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:25:41 +0000 Corduroy 2926374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm looking for resources that would help my son gain some confidence around dogs and learn some basics about what to do when a dog approaches.</p> <p>My six year old son is generally pretty fearless except when it comes to dogs. It started last year when we were playing with some other kids in a wide open area. DS ran to another location and their hearding dog tried to bring DS back to the fold. DS is typically fast but I could tell he was running for his life from this dog. We discussed what happened and DS logically knows the dog wasn't trying to hurt him but he has so much fear associated with it.</p> <p>Today we were camping and an unleashed dog ran up to our picnic table while DS was sitting there alone. I was at the car not far away but far enough not to see it coming. The dog looked super friendly and just excited to play but DS started screaming and crying and tried to hide under the table which was not a great idea because that put him screaming in the dogs face. The dog couldn't hear it's owners call him back and I was concerned even this very friendly looking dog wouldn't react well to DS's unexpected reaction. </p> <p>I'm not scared of (friendly) dogs but I'm allergic so I've never gotten super comfortable with them. I mainly want to give DS tools so he doesn't escalate the situation. </p>