Anonymous wrote:what is wrong with kids these days? So many are terrified of dogs. I understand if they've had bad experiences, but most have not and are just afraid without any reason to be. We brought our puppy around to a neighborhood gathering of kids--we wanted to socialize the dog and thought the kids would love it. All of them were terrified, and the dog's behavior was fine. Are kids wimpier than they used to be? I grew up with dogs so maybe I don't get it.

I think it is because people let thier dogs jump on people and expect kids to know what to do. We had someone yell at my son for acting afraid of thier dog because it was bad for thier dog. He was not acting. He was scared because thier dog is a terror. So yes, now he has a fear of dogs.

what is wrong with kids these days? So many are terrified of dogs. I understand if they've had bad experiences, but most have not and are just afraid without any reason to be. We brought our puppy around to a neighborhood gathering of kids--we wanted to socialize the dog and thought the kids would love it. All of them were terrified, and the dog's behavior was fine. Are kids wimpier than they used to be? I grew up with dogs so maybe I don't get it.

Why is she afraid??? You need to work on that first. Even if you never get a dog, she needs to deal with those fears of dogs. She will experience dogs in her life and she needs to learn how to deal with that, and to be safe around them.

If you know people with calm, we’ll behaved dogs, that’s place to start. Go for a walk. Allow DC to maintain space as she sees fit. Larger, rinse, repeat, allowing her to get comfortable with this one dog. Over time, give her more exposure to other dogs.

I would not get a dog, without her buy-in. And I wouldn’t get a puppy, either. Puppies are active, jumpy, nippy, and will try to be in her space. An older, mellow, small breed dog would be far less intimidating. I say this as someone that fosters lots of dogs, including puppies. My DD, who is a huge animal lover has been made to cry by puppies because they jumped up and scratched her, ripped her favorite clothes, chewed her favorite shoes, etc. Something like that would be horrible for someone that is already scared of dogs. In our case, DD gets over it quickly.

As for a source, if you do choose to get a puppy, rescues also have them, and they grow up in foster homes, and get good care. I have fostered puppies that were as small as 5 lbs. and as large as 25, and everything in between. My next foster (I’m picking her up on Saturday), is about 14 lbs. at 12 weeks. My last foster was adopted by a couple with two young children, and thriving in that environment.

Some people just do not like dogs. You can find the sweetest, cutest, most gentle dog in the world, and they won't warm up to it. I would offer to dogsit for a friend with a known-quantity dog before I brought a new dog permanently into this situation.
If you insist on getting a dog, look into Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They aren't bright, but they are very gentle, small and non-threatening looking.

Plan to get a small breed only. Take her to meet some puppies. If she is not swayed by them, there may be no hope.

Thank you for sharing

OP my son was afraid of dogs. We got a doodle puppy from a breeder who promised us a small, calm dog. Well he is adorable but he is absolutely huge and has a bark to rival a wolf. But my son is no longer afraid of dogs at all.

Get a German Shephard. They're great dogs for a first time owner.

Thank you everyone! For those questioning me, i would never put my kid in danger or allow her to be in an unsafe situation. This would be a slow, gradual introduction

Getting a dog will definitely help. It helped my son who was already in high school. Dogs are the best. I recommend a small dog. They’re the best!

Anonymous wrote:Getting a dog is a sure-fire way to get over fear of dogs.

Or learn to hate your mom for not having your back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any psychologist will tell you that the best way to confront a fear is to confront it head on. Start with a puppy or if you rescue, make sure it’s a very calm dog who is already good with children. Go for it, op. My oldest was terrified of dogs and the best thing we did was to NOT keep her away from them. She got better with dogs before we got one, but if I could have done it sooner I would have.

Uh, no. Exposure therapy is carefully managed exposure, which allows the person to stay within reasonable limits of cortisol. It is NOT immersing someone in their fears to the point where provoking panic and inducing a possible traumatic experience is possible.

I think it's interesting that PP assumes a family will do the latter, and that they are not capable of the former.

You may want to start with a mechanical puppy of the kind of the dog you are thinking to buy.
It will give her some semblance of a dog, enough to get used to something that is furry
and moves and she might start liking the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNNK6Cpon3Y

Anonymous wrote:Any psychologist will tell you that the best way to confront a fear is to confront it head on. Start with a puppy or if you rescue, make sure it’s a very calm dog who is already good with children. Go for it, op. My oldest was terrified of dogs and the best thing we did was to NOT keep her away from them. She got better with dogs before we got one, but if I could have done it sooner I would have.

Puppy yes, rescue no, you need to start with a dog that is small and very gentle and playful and bundle of joy.
Rescue dogs need lots of care and attention and they are not to be put in the position like that.