How can I stop my 5yr old being terrified of dogs?!

[tigwig]

Hi everyone, my daughter is absolutely terrified of dogs and today the afternoon was just ruined by her running and screaming and crying because we were having a picnic in a local beauty spot which of course is full of dogs too. She has always been scared of them, never attacked or anything like that but my SIL has one and because it is kept mostly in the garden and has no attention, the second it sees someone it gets giddy runs and jumps up. This is the only thing I can think of why her fear started. Today, she was terrible. Because we were near a lake, she was paddling but so were the dogs! They did run about near her but not at her. As soon as she sees them running she cries and runs away which of course can make some dogs chase her. I have tried telling her they won't hurt her etc etc and even some owners have let her stroke them which she will do if they are calm. Its just when they run about she hates it. We had to pack up and go early cos she was just crying and begging to go home! Do any of you have any idea how I could get her out of this? Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a dog apart from SIL with the untrained giddy little thing which daughter already hates!

[petal54]

have you tried to get freindly with any of the dog owners that have quieter seeming dogs that you could gradually introduce your little dog to?

[B00]

Not very helpful tigwig, but I couldn't help reading that and feeling really sorry for your sister in laws dog!

Why have a dog in the 1st place to shove it in a garden and largely ignore it?

[lucca]

Petal, Tigwig has a little daughter, not a little dog!

[YvonneM]

What she needs is to meet a guide dog for the blind they are very subdued and well trained

[Dee Sa]

lucca lol at your answer !
tigwig do you know anyone with a small puppy that she
could make friends with ?
I have noticed on taking my two shar peis for a nightly walk around the block that mainly African women and children will scream at he sight of my poor dogs who are walking happily along on leads not anywhere near the screamers, otherwise they will crossover the road at the pace of knotts.The poor kids are frightened mainly because the parent give off such bad vibes, I dont mean you are tigwig this is just a general observation, you are sensible enough to address the problem.
Have you thought of having a puppy yourself and let your daughter go to the breeder and choose it herself ? you wont be able to take it home straight away but can usually make weekly visits until the puppy is old enough to go home with you, this would build up her confidence, you going beforehand to make sure nothing is going to freak her out.
good luck Dee

[woofgang]

mmm I wouldn't have a pup yourself to get your daughter out of her fear. They take some training before they are calm and pups teeth and nails are like needles. They don't mean to scratch and nip but its what they do till they learn better. maybe your local vet's might know of a PAT (pets as therapy) dog who could help. They are very calm and friendly, usually love cuddles and attention.

[tigwig]

thanks for the answers. Boo we feel sorry for SIL's dog too! Would guess the poor thing doesn't know any different, she's had it since a puppy.
In regards to getting a puppy myself, no way! I am a very busy childminder, we both work full time and I'm pregnant too and have a cat! Do not have the time and dedication required for one.
I think next time we are out I will have to approach a kind looking dog owner and see if they will let her stroke it.
This might be harder then I think as yesterday when she was running away from a dog that was chasing her, its owner snottily said to me "if she kept still it wouldn't do it".

[zzxxee]

go to your local dogs home explain the situation she can then pet them and walk them under controlled conditions

[woofgang]

I know the owner gave you a snotty response and there's no excuse for that but these days its quite worrying being a dog owner, if anything goes wrong its the dogs owners fault and the dog risks the death sentence. I have had a small boy jump off a slope behind my dog yelling loudly...poor dog was terrified. the child didn't mean to frighten my dog, he just hadn't thought/been taught better but if she had attacked him or even jumped up at him it would have been the dog's fault.
I also have seen a toddler (18months ish) run up behind a staffie tied up outside a shop and wack him as hard as she could on the bum. Luckily the dog just turned around and grinned at her but again NOT THE DOG'S FAULT.
If she could understand that the dogs "hate it" in the sense of being wound up by it as much when she runs about as she does when they do it then that would help. I would also keep her well away from SIL's dog even if that means alienating SIL, IMO that is an incident waiting to happen

[Pipsy3]

I used to have the same problem with my son, even if a dog was on lead he was scared to walk near it. I started to show him video clips on You Tube of dogs doing cute or funny thing, and although I wouldn't neccesarily recommend it, we did end up adopting a greyhound as we were both became particularly fond of them and they are such placid dogs. My son is no longer scare of any dogs.

As you are unable to have a dog yourself, I would suggest visiting greyhound rescue and introducing your daughter to the dogs, a lot of other rescue centres can be very noisy frightening places, whereas greyhounds are generally much quieter and calmer. If you explain to the staff your predicament, they should be able to select a dog who is particularly calm and good with kids and allow you to pet and even walk the dog as most are exceptionally good on lead.

Best of luck.