Some children love animals from a very young age and are not afraid to approach a dog or pet them. However, others are very afraid of them, so much so that some cannot even look at them.
Parents worry when their children have certain fears and panics in life. And when your child is afraid of a dog, it is concerning because you do not know how to react.
The reactions of those who are afraid are immediate. Some children try to cross the street when they see a dog or hide behind their parents.
When this situation occurs, parents should act normally because it is important to understand that a child's learning process is always based on imitating adults. Therefore, your reaction will serve as a reference for your child.
The best advice is always to speak with a veterinarian or specialist who can help you follow some guidelines.
Victoria Muñoz is a veterinary technician and dog groomer at Green Can, and she has told us about her personal experience as a mother and her son's fear of dogs. “My son was very afraid; more than fear, it was panic, and as you can imagine, I was worried because I love animals. In addition, my son has ADHD, that is, attention and hyperactivity problems. Therefore, his reaction was very dramatic, and he also had several frightening experiences with dogs,” she confirms.
“When my son was 10, I decided to get a small dog so that he could gradually become accustomed to it. In this way, he slowly lost his fear, realizing that it did nothing,” Victoria says.
“My son used to tell me that he was afraid of being licked because he had never experienced that sensation, and today I can say that he is no longer afraid of 98% of dogs. Before, however, he could not even go near them. I would bring him to the clinic where I work, and he was unable to touch any dog,” she adds.
Victoria has shared her experience with us, in which she succeeded in helping her child overcome their fear of dogs, an achievement that was both professional and personal.
These situations are complicated, as you can see, but above all, talk to a professional so they can give you the appropriate advice and procedures.
Tips to help your child overcome their fear of dogs
Here are four tips that Victoria Muñoz put into practice and, as a professional, recommends to all parents in the same situation:
-
Do not exaggerate the situation
When your child is afraid of a dog and exaggerates it, you should not mirror that reaction or pass on your fear. You should simply try to normalize the situation.
-
Do not force them
If your child does not want to approach a dog, do not force them. The more you force them to do something, the worse it is. Let them proceed at their own pace.
-
Try introducing your child to a dog you trust
Try to spend time around dogs you trust, whether they belong to friends or family members. Make your child feel free and comfortable, and let them observe the dogs' behavior so that little by little they can start gaining confidence.
-
Teach them how to normalize the situation
When they get nervous, try to calm them down and, above all, normalize the situation. Be careful with your words and the way you express yourself.
Having a dog is wonderful, and having a child interact with a dog from an early age is even better. The child-dog relationship provides many benefits for young children's learning and education. Therefore, if your child is afraid of dogs, try to help them overcome it, as the benefits are very significant.
If you have had a similar experience, tell us about it on social media and share it to help other ARISTOPARENTS.