We can hardly step outside without running into a dog within minutesand often large breeds like German Shepherds.
Aphobiaof dogs can be devastating, limiting contact with dog-owning friends and relatives, and curtailing normal activities.
There are many strategies that can help you overcome your fear.
Neti Phunitiphat / Getty Images
At a Glance
But everyone loves dogs, right?
The answer is most definitely no!
A large dog can make a major impression on a small child, even if no actual attack occurred.
The negative experience need not have affected you directly.
Many parents warn children about approaching strange dogs.
You might fear only large breeds.
You may be uncomfortable around live dogs but be perfectly content to view dogs in photographs or TV shows.
Likewise, the symptoms of cynophobia can also vary.
Do I Actually Have a Phobia?
A fear of dogs does not always equate to a full-blown phobia.
You just want to know what you’re free to do about it, right?
Complications
Because dogs are so popular as pets and companions, avoiding them can be nearly impossible.
You might find yourself limiting contact with dog owners, even to the point of avoiding family gatherings.
Cognitive-behavioral techniques such assystematic desensitizationand flooding are designed to help remove the fear and encourage more helpful coping skills.
Although these techniques are traditionally performed using live dogs, active-imaginal exposure may be done.
Instead of interacting with a live dog, however, you will vividly imagine the dog.
Only trained professionals should be the ones to direct this kind of exposure.
If your phobia is severe,medicationsmight be used in conjunction with therapy.
Certain medications can significantly reduce your anxiety, allowing you to focus on therapeutic techniques.
Although cynophobia can be serious, it is extremely treatable.
A scoping review to explore the positive and negative effects of child-dog interactions.
2022 Dec 19;10:e14532.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.14532
Taffou M, Viaud-Delmon I.Cynophobic fear adaptively extends peri-personal space.Front Psychiatry.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM5).
Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
2017;34(8):671678. doi:10.1002/da.22582
