There are a lot of people who are afraid of dogs. Most often, fear appears after they are attacked by these animals themselves or witness unpleasant incidents with others. Sometimes the panic horror of the dogs is experienced unconsciously and, most likely, it is associated with some long-forgotten childhood impressions. And although, in general, fear is a natural feeling, a reflex to danger, developed at the genetic level, in this case it is completely unnecessary, and it is better to try to get rid of it.
Instructions
Step 1
The first step in getting rid of your fear of dogs is after you identify the cause. If you do not understand why you are afraid, try to mentally return to the past and remember how it all started. Perhaps the roots of the problem are in childhood. But a lot of time has passed since then. Realize that you have changed - become stronger and more confident.
Step 2
Try to understand what you are afraid of. Think about the reason for the dog's aggressive behavior. In many cases, she barks because she senses danger from a person and thus tries to defend herself. She has no reason to trust you, because people often mistreat their "smaller brothers". Understand and have pity on the animal.
Step 3
Find more information about dogs - books that describe dog behavior, character studies, training methods, etc., films about and with dogs. This will also help you understand them and stop being afraid.
Step 4
Observe the actions of the dogs from afar, for example, from the window of your house. Usually they do not care about a person if he himself does not attract their attention with some wrong actions. Pay attention to how people behave with them. It might be worth going to a dog club or meeting someone who has this pet. Try to walk with them, and you, firstly, will hear a lot of interesting stories about the dog from its owner and, secondly, get to know her, and she - with you, and after a while you will even be able to pet her.
Step 5
If you can, get yourself a puppy. Of course, it is hardly worth looking for a pet of some large and aggressive breed such as a Bulldog or Staffordshire Terrier. But friendly Labradors and Dalmatians or smart shepherd dogs can help you change your mind about dogs.
Step 6
If you get in the way of dogs, you should not run away from them or get stunned. Try to suppress the feeling of panic in yourself, continue to walk calmly, in no case run away from them and do not show your fear in any way. You will see that they only bark at you, not attack. In the event that you feel the dog's aggression, you can lean towards the ground, pretending that you are lifting something. Animals perfectly understand what a stone or a stick is and will run away from you, and you will feel your strength. As a last resort, if you live in an area with many stray dogs, buy yourself a stun gun. You probably won't have to use it. But you will definitely stop being afraid.
Step 7
If fear does not leave you, you can always turn to a psychologist or psychotherapist who will help you understand the problem and give you a lot of professional advice on how to overcome this negative feeling.
