15 replies to this topic

[sheepdog]

Of course I have to weigh in on this one, but honestly, it's not easy for me to understand your problem, and it's hard to give advise in this sort of situation. My mother used to love to tell the story of how when I was just a tiny tot, 2 or 3 years old, one day in town I ran up to this great big Great Dane and hugged it's neck. My poor mom about had a heart attack. Years later I got my payback, we had purchased a new female Giant Schnauzer and I had taken her to the swap meet to walk around and get some socialization. There was a toddler, probably 2 years old or maybe a bit less there that saw her and just went crazy for the dog, ran up to her and threw herself around the poor dog's neck. Poor dog didn't know what to think, she just stood there trembling, but thank god she took it quite well under the circumstances. It was really strange, that little girl was drug off the dog by her parents, but every time she would see the dog again she would cry and try to get to her. Some people are just born to dogs, some are not. (my guess is that child will grow up to be a dog breeder)

Developing a fear of dogs doesn't always come from being bitten, if that were the case I'd drop dead of fear if I got within 300 yards of a dog. I manage to get bit on average of once a year or so. (not counting of course, little pups nibbling on my fingers, I mean the draw blood, leave scars type of bites.) Part of the fear of dogs can be from simple lack of exposure to them. The unkown is always a bit scary. It's too bad you don't live in a place that allows dogs. That would be your best bet to get a dog as a pup, probably a medium size dog, but if it was little when you got it you can learn to love it and as it grows so will your confidence. It's virtually impossible to be afraid of a cute little puppy so start small and you can grow out of your fears.

Another idea for the meantime until you can get a dog of your own is to attend dog competions, agility type, so you can be around smart, well trained dogs and see how much fun they are. If there aren't any competions in your area, do find someone at the park who has a well trained dog that knows how to play frisbee or some such game and make friends with that dog. It's important that you start out around the right kind of dogs. Dogs can sense fear in humans. A really good dog will instinctivly know to behave around you. We used to have visitors come out from a local group home for handicapped people. First time they came out I was a bit worried, as we had at that time several very large mastiffs in the yard that could of very easily cause a real disaster. It was just the most amazing thing to see how those dogs reacted to the people, they all sat down and stayed very still and just waited in a line to be petted and fawned over. I was shocked at how good they were. On the other hand, one night when some drunks got lost and pulled into our place to ask directions, it was a whole different ballgame. The dogs surrounded the drunks, escorted them to the door, and then right back to their car. I think they were pretty well sobered up by the time they got out of here. But the difference between the two different groups of people and the dogs reaction to them is just the most amazing thing. Dogs really do have a sixth sense about people, those that are good and those that are up to no good.

I do have to seriously dissagree with one poster who recomended carrying dog treats and feeding strange dogs. Some dogs take treats very gently from human fingers but there are plenty of others that will snap quickly to grab the treat and may get some finger too. You can't tell by looking at the dog either who is a gently picker and who is a grabber. We used to have a male Doggue De Bordeaux (Turner and Hooch dog) huge scary looking dog that was so careful when taking treats he wouldn't even use his teeth, he would carefully roll his lip over it and take it without every touching a finger, but I have had 10 pound Dachshund that would nearly take your hand off.

[web_designer]

thank you sheepdog for your reply, i was looking forward to it. and i knew you will be shocked of my topic since you are the opposite 

i will keep in mind all your advices and try to do my best.

[anwiii]

wd- you just have to face your fear. there is a saying. we are our own worst enemy. fear can do two things to us and we have to decide how we deal with our fears. fear can either make us aware of the dangers without being paranoid, or it can limit us in doing the things that we shouldn't have been afraid of doing in the first place. fear can be both a good or a bad thing depending on the situation and how we look it fear itself.

do yourself a favor and don't limit yourself through the fear you have inside. that advice is for everyone. not just you and your fear of dogs. it sometimes seems that being fearfull and not facing our fears is the easy way to live when in actuality, it's harder to live with the fears we hold. facing ones fears takes two seconds while accepting to live with our fears takes a lifetime.

[web_designer]

Quote

wd- you just have to face your fear. there is a saying. we are our own worst enemy. fear can do two things to us and we have to decide how we deal with our fears. fear can either make us aware of the dangers without being paranoid, or it can limit us in doing the things that we shouldn't have been afraid of doing in the first place. fear can be both a good or a bad thing depending on the situation and how we look it fear itself.

do yourself a favor and don't limit yourself through the fear you have inside. that advice is for everyone. not just you and your fear of dogs. it sometimes seems that being fearfull and not facing our fears is the easy way to live when in actuality, it's harder to live with the fears we hold. facing ones fears takes two seconds while accepting to live with our fears takes a lifetime.

thank you anwiii for the advice, i know that eventually i have to face that thing inside me. but need more courage to take the first step. so i will follow your advices and take things slowly and hope i could get rid of this fear, thank you all for your supports and replies, wish me good luck with my next experience.

[sheepdog]

It's too bad you are half a world away. You could come and work with me here at the kennel for a week and I could pretty much guarantee that it would end your fear of dogs. You could just get a major dose of dog exposure in a hurry. Mine are all friendly (except one male Soft Coated Wheaten that does like to sneak up behind you and pinch you on the butt, he really isn't trying to be mean, it's just his way of playing)

[web_designer]

Quote

It's too bad you are half a world away. You could come and work with me here at the kennel for a week and I could pretty much guarantee that it would end your fear of dogs. You could just get a major dose of dog exposure in a hurry. Mine are all friendly (except one male Soft Coated Wheaten that does like to sneak up behind you and pinch you on the butt, he really isn't trying to be mean, it's just his way of playing)

me   working with you  ...

really don't count on that, i may be ending running all around and put your kennel in a mess  :Dor even worse. usually i am a brave one but not with dogs, so be in one room with many dogs nooooo, i don't think so. and if 1% happened i will be wearing an Iron shield  .