My DD (11yrs) is extremely scared of dogs. She has not always been as my ex SIL had a dog that she adored and grew up around. She got to about 6 yrs old and literally overnight became scared. There have been no issues with dogs at all, in any shape or form, so we are at a loss as to how this came about.
I have tried reassurance, approaching dogs with her and friends have tried to help her but to no avail. She will literally walk in the road to avoid a dog on a lead; she won't even check the road is clear beforehand her fear is that bad, which naturally has me losing my rag but worrying about her at the same time!
I have tried saying if you run away from a dog, most of them will will run after her because it thinks it is a game. Told her standing still is best to let the dog sniff you (the very rare times I have managed to get her to stand still to prove a point, dogs have have jumped and she's freaked so now she just moves out of the way). She will only, on rare occasions, go near a dog if she sees that is old and placid and she is watching others stroke it. Or if it is a really tiny dog but even then she is unsure.
18 months ago I considered getting a dog, as it had been suggested it might help (only a small one). I put a deposit down and got caught up in it but realised I could not really afford it, I would be the one looking after it all the time (DD goes to XH every other weekend whilst I was spending that time with XP), it was a tie when it came to bookings holidays, plus she may still have been scared. Plus I did not want to get a dog, only to send it back, as would have been unfair on the poor dog.
She is of pretty strong character, not much scares her but dogs reduce her to a trembling wreck and I am at a loss of what to do. It has affected her being invited over to friends for sleepovers because of this. She is starting secondary in September and I have told her if she gets invited by new friends, and she keeps declining on the basis of purely a dog, she won't be asked anymore. Sounds harsh but older children are less forgiving than primary school children (well in my IME).
Any advice appreciate thanks you.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.
Preteens
Massive Dog Phobia
11 replies
justanaveragegirl · 28/07/2015 10:11
OP posts:
justanaveragegirl ·
28/07/2015 10:42
No it probably didn't you are right but she has seen that for herself! I only told her that after it had happened a few times, sorry didn't make that clear 
OP posts:
justanaveragegirl ·
28/07/2015 11:24
Pointless I might do that thank you.
It never occurs to me that people I know might be on here but I don't have much to really hide.
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.