DS suddenly terrified of dogs - how do I help him get over it?

[Tiddlyompompom]

Evening all,
Please could you advise me, I'm at a loss for what to do!

DS is 10mo, we were round at a friends house, and my son became terrified of her Jack Russell. Every time he moved, my son shrieked in shock and started crying in panic. He then wouldn't relax or take his eyes off him the whole time, he was completely on edge.
It was very weird - he's been round there several times before, and has seen the dog out on long buggy walks several times in the last few weeks - he usually thinks the dog is fascinating, and loves watching him. (The last walk we went on, we were having a lunch break on a rug, and the dog sneezed and this made DS freak out too).
My friend had to shut her dog out in the garden until we left, she didn't mind, but it's not really fair. He's a v nice Jack Russell, he scuttles around quite a bit, but is not yappy or snappy, and is very used to babies as friend's DS is the same age as mine.

Have any of you had kids react to your dogs this way? I'm just wondering the best way to deal with it. My instinct is to keep showing him dogs, and if I know them introduce them gently, and keep saying positive things about dogs? I don't want him to be scared witless or develop a phobia!

We don't have any pets at home, but DS loves cats and usually dogs too. I just don't get why he's suddenly reacting like this! I don't think he's picking up anti-dog vibes from me altho I'm a cat person but we have had a couple of dogs jump up at him while I've been carrying him, and I've had to turn him away to protect him.

Sorry for the long winded post! Thanks in advance :)

Both my dds went through dog-shock phases, and both just very naturally and gradually came out of them and love dogs now

I think a dog, any dog, can be very scary to a really little child - and 10 mos is very young. He probably just can't figure out what on earth this moving, scuttly furry thing is - not surprisingly, really!

I think I wouldn't go out of my way to find dogs for him to notice, but would point them out whenever out and about, in casual 'oh look nice doggy' kind of way. Let him see you pet them. It could be this particular dog triggered a fear, and it will pass - even if it takes a year or two.

My own experience is that toddlers appear to have a zillion phobias, one after the other (dd1: bells, trains, owls, dogs, and more) and they just go away once the child is bigger, feels more confident, and is more in control of their own body and surroundings. dd2 actually got nipped by a small dog when she was 2 (out in the street, it was off lead and out of control) so had a more specific fear - but dd1 just went through that 'feeling out of control' toddler phase and came out big and bold.

I wouldn't push it, when he is scared, and think removing ds from situation is fine when he is really frightened - he needs to know he comes first, and that you will 'protect' him. As long as you are not frightened, thats all that matters

Thank you Elibean! I guess I was just so surprised as he was previously fine with said scuttling critter, but you're right, it's hopefully just a stage.