My DD is also scared of dogs especially ours and even though he is in a separate part of the yard that is fenced off to her play area she will not go outside to play. Managed to get her outside for 2mins the other day then our dog whimpered (he rarely ever barks) and she started screaming. It's a tough one because its hard to force something someone (especially a child) is fearful of. I'm terrified of spiders and would hate to be pushed into being near them :/ anyway interested to hear the tips people have.
I really believe that they can grow out of the fear in their own time, without being forced into it. Both of my kids were terrified of dogs, to the point that they would scream, cry and run up to us to hold them if one even looked at them from far away. They were literally terrified. Over the years we have just had to reiterate that it's ok that we wouldn't let them get hurt particularly by a friends dog that they see regularly and they are slowly growing out of it. They will willingly go up to friendly dogs to pat them now if they are little.
I know your dog hasn't done anything wrong but I would be prepared to either tie him up, have him outside if they are inside or else have a separated area if she is going to be around regularly. Forcing them to pat etc. doesn't work and I know for us we don't want them to be over friendly with dogs they are unfamiliar with anyway so are happy for them to always be cautious about dogs. I think your dog will be fine in his/her own space whereas if your friends DD is forced to be near a dog that frightens her it could make it even worse, even if nothing bad happens ITMS. It will simply take time (My kids are now nearly 6 and 4 1/2 and have both been frightened since they were about 2, even though even my parents had a dog)
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks