20 month old ds terrified of dogs (and cats for that matter)- how do I help him?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

We don't as a family have much contact with dogs or cats.

DS1 (4.5) has never had a problem with them and happily strokes friends pets when we visit them.

DS2 is terrified of them. Even if we pass a dog in the street who pays him no attention and he is in his pushchair he cowers. When we visit friends who have dogs or cats he is absolutely terrified if they try to approach him. He is generally ok but wary if they are in the same room.

He has never had any bad experiences with cats or dogs so I am at a loss to why he is so scared.

Does anybody have any ideas how I can help him to get over this?

You need to spend time (lots of time) with friends who have calm, well behaved dogs (can't speak for cats but I don't think they take much notice of kids anyway). The owner of the dogs need to be prepared in advance but the general principle is that exposure will eventually lead to acceptance.

My oldest brother was terrified (for very good reasons - nasty grand father's dog) and my parents HAD to get a family dog when he was about 10 in order to conquer his phobia. Far better to deal with it now.