3 year old's animal fear/phobia!

[AVW]

My DS1 (3) is petrified of any animals. I'm loss at what to do next? we can't even walk down the street with him screaming, clinging on to me if he sees a dog and now cats! Apparently they're going to eat him!

His behaviour/ fear is now rubbing off onto DS2(20months).

Anyone get any ideas??

I was thinking of day trip to Battersea Dogs Home but is that just too cruel!

Can you talk to him when he sees an animal? I mean, will he listen?

If you can't then I think you need to enlist some professional help.

If you can, you need some friendly dogs / cats etc., for him to spend some time with.

I've tried spending time with a few friendly dogs, however they all live a few hours out from us. I don't really know anyone that has a pet! That is probably the main reason!

Yes, possibly.

My 20MO lives with a chocolate labrador... I have the opposite problem of having to ensure he doesn't go bothering dogs who would prefer not to be bothered!!

Whereabouts are You?

There must be someone close who would let you spend time with animals?

Feeding the ducks might be a good place to start?

Don't rule out rescue homes. I would rate Blue cross at being able / willing to help with this.

Is it all animals or just dogs and cats? How does he react when he sees one on TV? Have you taken him to a zoo/animal park? Does he react the same if they are safely behind bars?

When mine were little we used to walk to feed the ducks at pretty much the same time every day and we got to know all the dogs on route as we met them being walked every time. If you're seeing the same dogs/cats all the time, it might be worthwhile getting to know their names (or making up your own for them), so that you can say "look it's Rover, I wonder if he's looking for a stick". Mine don't like spiders but I once I've given each one they find a name and a job, they're fine with them.

Thanks for the advice. We've been feeding ducks for 3 years no probs with the birds, but recently he's really freaked by all the dogs at the park, infact any dogs on leads walking within a 50m area!! Just to add to the fear a lovely Staffy jumped up at him on our way home from the Childminders today - just perfect! The owner was really lovely, but DS screamed and then physically shook for about 10 mins after - bless him. I think I may call Blue Cross tomorrow!!

Don't think buying a puppy is an option - 2 toddlers and tantrums is enough for the mo!

DO NOT BUY A PUPPY!!

If there were ever perfectly wrong reasons to get a dog, these are them!!!

Well my little dogs is terrified of small childre, joggers, cyclist and big dogs......

To train her out of it I 'distract' her when one approaches so she is focused on me and treats in my pocket and barely notices them. She was attacked as a puppy and is scared of everything but behaves aggressivley to mask it.

I wonder if it would work the other way round? Maybe if you go places where he will see dogs distraction may work? Start slow and build up gradually!