Afraid of dogs? Don’t shout, don’t run.
Here’s how to react
Some people are thrilled to cross paths with a big, shaggy dog on a walk. Others not so much. But while many people simply feel some level of fear around animals that can bite, in some cases it’s more than that.
Suffering from a phobia means a natural basic fear turns into an anxiety disorder. And there is even a name for it when it concerns dogs: cynophobia.
Sweaty palms, a racing heart and accelerated breathing can all be signs of the disorder, says psychologist Johannes Rother. Freezing over when a dog is approaching is also quite typical for cynophobia.
The animals themselves are usually unaware of this intense kind of fear. But since dogs react to the behaviour and gestures of a person, you should keep in mind a few rules when suffering from the disorder in order not to draw attention to yourself.
When encountering a dog, try to keep breathing normally and don’t start screaming by any means. Keeping calm is definitely your best option. If you try to run away, the dog might believe you want to play with it.
Avoid all eye contact, otherwise the animal might interpret this as an invitation to approach.
Easier said than done, of course, especially when panic has already overwhelmed you.
Therapy specializing in cynophobia is a way to help you to handle the fear with relaxation and calming techniques. The aim of the treatment is to enable you to live your life normally again, as some people even rarely leave the house in order to avoid dogs.
Cynophobia often begins in childhood, with children internalizing their parents’ fears, for example, or observing someone being pushed over by a dog. According to Rother, traumatic experience like being bitten by a dog are rare, however.
When encountering a dog, try to keep breathing normally and don’t start screaming. Keeping calm is your best option. If you try to run away, the dog might believe you want to play with it. Avoid all eye contact, otherwise the animal might interpret this as an invitation
to approach.