Fear of animals, dogs in particular

[tkband3]

My DTs (2.6) have developed a fear of most animals, but particularly dogs. We have a dog (albeit a very small yorkshire terrier ) who we had before they were born so they have grown up with dogs. My mother has a dog, as does my SIL and various other friends and family and up until a few months ago they were quite happy to be around them - to the point of climbing all over my mum's (quite large, but v. gentle) dog when they were younger. I really can't pinpoint exactly what happened to prompt this fear but it is quite extreme - they now become hysterical if another dog comes close to us in the park and my SIL had to keep her two dogs shut away the last time we spent the day there. When our dog was last groomed they were terrified of him for a while as well because they didn't recognise him. It's not just big dogs...they're terrified of small ones too!

I'd really like to try and help them over this, but don't know how, so any suggestions would be gratefully received. My mum's invited us for Xmas, and it would be difficult to go and have to ask her to keep her dog on a lead the whole time!

bumping for anyone around this evening .

tricky!!!!!!!!! DT1 has decided that she's completely scared of dogs. DT2 quite likes them.

Patience is the key I think.

Obviously each child is different, so ignore this if you feel it won't work with yours - it's based on personal experience.
When you pass a dog in the street (or wherever), when your DTs do the "aaarghrgrhgrhhhh...it's a doooogggg!!!" thing and start cowering, DON't say "it's ok, it won't hurt you", or "don't be silly, it's just a dog". Instead say "oh yes, look, it's a springer spaniel/labrador/whatever...labradors are used as guide dogs....etc etc"
Keep your tone fairly neutral, and try and dredge up some factoids about the breed - even if it's a Heinz 57 - say "look at his ears...whatever".
You might have to do it for a bit, but it works.
The thing is, you're by-passing their fear, without belittling or denying it, and also making them think about, say guide dogs, or gun dogs, so they'll seem more friendly and useful to humans.
Hope this helps.
if you see someone with a pram/young kids and a friendly breed, point this out - "look, that dog's got a baby, so it must be a nice dog".
Hope this helps. i have a springer, and often let timid children stroke her, but always explain that you should ask a dog's owner first..."just in case the dog's scared of children".

I'm going through exactly the same thing with my dd (2.10) at the moment. That's really interesting advice minouminou. Will def try that. It's true that, although I know it doesn't help (and it's mean) there is the temptation when you're frustrated with these fears, to say things like "oh it's only a dog etc".

Thank you very much for the advice minouminou. I will defiinitely try that. Our older daughter loves dogs and we have taught her to go up and ask the owner before she strokes them and up until a few months ago the DTs would join in . We also do the same as you for other timid children with our small dog, but it doesn't seem to make any difference for the DTs.

Thanks again - will see how we get on at the park later .

The ELC catalogue had a piece in it about helping a child get over the fear of dogs and it really helped her. HTH.

Can you remember which catalogue it was NAB3? I've got the autumn and Xmas ones... Thanks

It was a very recent one. I will go and look in my recycling bin and see if it is still there.

I haven't got it but it was a fairly recent one. You can't miss it if you have thr ight one.

Sorry to have been a pain! Thanks for your help. Will go through the catalogues I have.

Email ELC. They will probably send it to you.