Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Dog anxiety. How nicely say it or do I pretend?

66 replies

ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 10/01/2023 21:32

Was badly bitten as a child.
I have full on sweaty palms, palpitations beating so hard it affects my breathing, churning stomach and cannot focus on anything but where the dog is if I see one in the street I have to cross over, it’s bad.

So on a zoom work call today, the other person opens up their screen with a dog on their lap, full face in the camera.

Then tells me that there are 5 in the office around them.

I was so shocked. I blurted out that I have a “bit of a phobia of dogs”, to which they looked horrified and put the dog down.

I know it’s absolutely nuts. I have avoided dogs really well forever so it’s not generally an issue.
Dog lovers ALWAYS without fail try to persuade me that theirs is a sweetheart and “as soft as anything”. It does not matter, I really cannot cope with them.

So to spare dog owners feelings because I am completely unreasonable with this, do I grin, gritted teeth and pretend I’m ok, or can you suggest a really nice way of either changing the subject or politely broaching this fear/terror I have with doting dog owners.

Thank You. .

OP posts:
Menomenon · 10/01/2023 21:35

You want the dogs not to be on a screen? That’s … just a bit too much.

I think it would be worth looking into the cost of therapy. It sounds very debilitating and unlikely to get better without support.

XenoBitch · 10/01/2023 21:35

Have you had any sort of therapy?
Being scared of dogs approaching you in the street is one thing, and considering your past, would be understandable.
Being freaked out by dogs in a Zoom call is different... they really can not hurt you. It is not rational.

CheshireCats · 10/01/2023 21:36

Agree with pp. Yabu to not even tolerate a dog on a zoom call.
How do you watch tv?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/01/2023 21:38

I was so shocked. I blurted out that I have a “bit of a phobia of dogs”, to which they looked horrified and put the dog down.

Putting a dog down is going a bit too far here.

LordSugarTits · 10/01/2023 21:39

"Putting a dog down is going a bit too far here."

🤣🤣🤣🤣

PayPennies · 10/01/2023 21:41

WTF - you have issues with dogs on a fucking screen ?

MammaWeasel · 10/01/2023 21:41

Phobias are irrational though. I can't bear looking at waterfalls myself......no reason that I can fathom. I once knew someone who was phobic of feathers.....so to freak out at one popping up unexpectedly on a screen isn't really unreasonable.

Floralnomad · 10/01/2023 21:41

If you can’t even see a dog on a screen then you need help .

Hollyhocksandtulips · 10/01/2023 21:42

I get the phobia. My friend is the same with cats and will shudder if there's even a photo of a cat BUT I do think you need to seek some help here

RambamThankyouMam · 10/01/2023 21:43

It was on the screen. Behave yourself!

365names · 10/01/2023 21:43

XenoBitch · 10/01/2023 21:35

Have you had any sort of therapy?
Being scared of dogs approaching you in the street is one thing, and considering your past, would be understandable.
Being freaked out by dogs in a Zoom call is different... they really can not hurt you. It is not rational.

I’m going to PM you

Bigdamnheroes · 10/01/2023 21:44

I think at this point you ought to tackle the phobia as it is affecting you badly and beginning to impact your life. Not even being able to tolerate one on a screen is the point at which I'd be looking at some kind of therapy or possibly getting to know a very calm, friendly horse.

I used to have a fear of horses, not anywhere near the extent of your fear but a bit of a wariness of them. So I got riding lessons on an older, very docile horse who I have bonded with so much that he now follows me around the yard. It was hard at first and lots of panic attacks but I'm no longer too scared to walk across a field with a horse in.

Grandmistress991 · 10/01/2023 21:47

If it were a pet tarantula I wouldnt want to look at it and I don't have a spider phobia. I love love love dogs but know someone badly bitten by a dog who now is morbidly scared of them. If its work the dog shouldn't be sitting on her lap anyway. Totally get it.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 10/01/2023 21:50

So what about a spider. A big one. Not a tarantula as they’re quite cute but just one of those massive scurrying long legged MFs. Anyone scared of them? So how would you feel if someone came on the screen with one of them accompanying them. Crawling on their face maybe. Could you just let that go? I’m guessing not. Pretty irrational but still not easily overcome. Well I imagine that’s how op feels seeing that on a screen. Just the same. So quit it with the pile-on put-downs people.

kitsuneghost · 10/01/2023 21:51

I dislike dogs intensely. Seeing one on a screen, although wouldn't frighten me, would certainly make me heave. Dogs appearing on work zoom calls is completely unprofessional however you feel about them. (Unless your job involves dogs obviously)

Tronkmanton · 10/01/2023 21:52

Totally understand. I can’t stand snakes and if someone had one on screen in a zoom call I’d have to turn off the call! Dogs are more tricky to avoid though so possibly you’ll need to consider therapy as it’s impacting your life.

StarDolphins · 10/01/2023 21:54

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/01/2023 21:38

I was so shocked. I blurted out that I have a “bit of a phobia of dogs”, to which they looked horrified and put the dog down.

Putting a dog down is going a bit too far here.

🤣🤣🤣howling & mad in equal
measures, I could’ve got this first if I’d concentrated more!

Original poster
ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 10/01/2023 22:02

Awww no!! They placed the dog gently on the floor!! They didn’t put the poor thing down down!!

😱 Apologies!

OP posts:
Original poster
ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 10/01/2023 22:07

Yes. The call came onto the screen and this whole dog was staring back at me. Moving round, slavering and coming closer to the camera.
I physically pushed myself in the chair back, backing away. I was just so taken aback by it.

No the dog could not have hurt me, but it’s like having your worst fear shoved in your face, right in your face, no warning, and cheerfully told, oh there’s another 4 around the office today like it’s totally normal to have your pet in the world office.
I mean, is it? Is it normal to have a gang of dogs walking the floor at work?

OP posts:
roarfeckingroarr · 10/01/2023 22:10

You need therapy

Bobshhh · 10/01/2023 22:10

kitsuneghost · 10/01/2023 21:51

I dislike dogs intensely. Seeing one on a screen, although wouldn't frighten me, would certainly make me heave. Dogs appearing on work zoom calls is completely unprofessional however you feel about them. (Unless your job involves dogs obviously)

The best thing about people joining calls from home now is getting to meet their pets.

roarfeckingroarr · 10/01/2023 22:11

A gang of dogs 😂😂😂

XenoBitch · 10/01/2023 22:11

ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 10/01/2023 22:07

Yes. The call came onto the screen and this whole dog was staring back at me. Moving round, slavering and coming closer to the camera.
I physically pushed myself in the chair back, backing away. I was just so taken aback by it.

No the dog could not have hurt me, but it’s like having your worst fear shoved in your face, right in your face, no warning, and cheerfully told, oh there’s another 4 around the office today like it’s totally normal to have your pet in the world office.
I mean, is it? Is it normal to have a gang of dogs walking the floor at work?

It is not normal to have such a severe reaction to dogs on a screen.

SugarQills · 10/01/2023 22:14

You need therapy. Can't believe you told them you had a fear of dogs on a zoom call Hmm

AlwaysGinPlease · 10/01/2023 22:14

Your issue with Dogs is not your colleagues problem. So don't try to make it. You'll look daft and likely become unpopular. You need to seek help. There are Dogs on the tv ALL the time, I know this as my dogs bark at them loudly. How do you cope with that?