Grandaughter scared of my 2 dogs

Thank you Sodapop for your comment. If I had a dog and my granddaughter was frightened of it the dog would be re-homed because her welfare would be more important to me than her fitting in with the dog!

Pippa22 I so agree with you. I am petrified of dogs and get annoyed looks from dog owners when I ask them to get their dog off me as I seem to be a special attraction to them.
Sometimes I would like to let a snake crawl up their legs and see how they would like that.

It spoils most walks for me and I sometimes feel that my human rights come after the dogs rights.
There are far too many dog owners who don‘t know how to keep a dog and look after them but expect the rest of the world to ˋlove‘ their pooch. . Many don‘t even ask if it is ok to bring their Darlings with them when they come to visit

I am not a big dog person, but anything that is very frightening needs to be addressed with gentle practicality.

First, ask parents if there is a specific reason why she is frightened.

Second, make sure your dogs aren't nippy or jumpy.

No getting rid of dogs unless they are dangerous.

Gently introduce your granddaughter to the dogs. Don't let them jump, nip or bark. Tire them out before she gets there, then give her a doggy treat to give to them. Teach her that she is in control of them.

Life is not easy and being afraid of dogs won't be easy in the long run. Much better to work to help her overcome her fears.

I'd get a gate and keep them on the other side while she's there. Children need to learn how to behave around dogs anyway, but in her case, only if and when she asks.

One of my grandchildren is terrified of ladybirds. There doesn't have to be any logic to fear or phobias. Emotions aren't logical.

If you are scared of an animal that fear is not necessarily “irrational”. I adore cats and don’t understand how people are scared of them but I am aware that some people are.

I have a phobia about something, it is so bad that I can’t bring myself to name it. I was reading the local free paper and there was a picture of one. I had total hysterics and my husband had tear the picture out before I would look at the paper again

If you don’t have any phobias you really don’t understand how dreadful they are, especially if people are scared of something that a lot of people love

Please try and be more understanding

I really like big dogs but loathe small yappy dogs ,they scare me because they are the ones that snap & bite & don't really seem to take any notice of what their owners say in my opinion.

To those who simply say rehome the dogs, for those of us who share our lives with dogs, they're family. Yes, my grandchildren are higher in the order of things than my dogs. That's why my home is set up so when the 4 under 5 year olds are around, the dogs are safely and happily contained in the utility. Their beds are in there, they are fed and sleep in there and go in whenever I don't want them getting in the way of visitors, including the children.
I would never re-home a dog unless the dog posed a danger. I've never owned a dog like that and if I did, I'd be considering euthanasia rather than re-homing. I'm involved in a specific breed rescue charity. It's a real cause of despair that some people get a fluffy puppy, only to realise they grow into dogs, they do shed fur, they do need training and demand a lot of time and money. Often times they've not had great experiences so need considerable effort in foster care before they can be adopted safely. So "rehome the dog", isn't the simple solution some may believe it to be. It's also not something any responsible dog owner would do unless no alternative existed. In this case, there are many options available to the OP.

Iam64, agreed that our pets are part of the family and I can't imagine giving one away. They are perfectly happy (once they are used to it) on the other side of a gate if there's small kids or unfamiliar adults in the house. I say that all dogs do pose a small danger anyway, especially to those who are unaware of how to behave near them.

I have one friend who's just not relaxed with a dog in the room. She's OK, though, if the dog is tied on a lead so can't actually reach her. She's also fine when we're all out walking.

Iam64 at last someone who talks sense!

Moo moo keep at it I am sure u will resolve this u sound a lovely Caring lady google it spk to Yr vet there r people out there that cud advise

My DD was scared by a friend's Border Terrier and then by a family friend's Alsatian when small. it was only when her friend got a dog and she went with them to the RSPCA to help chose it that she began to lose her fear! She has a Jack Russell now! Go gently and don't expect her to change immediately.

Out on my walk down the lane just now, and as I passed one house a hidden dog very suddenly barked extremely loudly - I nearly jumped out of my skin! - I am glad there were no cars coming down the lane or I would have been marmalade. Another reason why I do not like them!!!

Do not ask the parent why the child is frightened of dogs. It is unlikely they will know, anymore than the child may, if it is a phobia.

Just accept that she doesn't like dogs and leave it at that. She is far more likely to overcome her fear, if everyone just accepts it and protects hewr rom them.

Jan16 I didn't notice a 'dog hater' in any of the replies just people who don't want a dog, or who have fears of dogs, some particularly understandable if you read all the thread. You obviously like dogs, it doesn't mean people who don't are 'dog haters'. I personally think it's irresponsible owners who should take the blame for the fears people have. How can a dog attack a small child leaving that child with a lifetime phobia as we have read here? That is the fault of the owner! The OP says her dogs are fussy and jump up at her GC. If she is serious about helping her GD, she should stop them doing that immediately and train them properly. Some dog owners just can't be bothered. Having said that, my friend trained his dog properly and treated it like a dog (not a spoilt child!). It was well loved by all the family but in old age, and no doubt getting a bit cantankerous, it once snapped at him. With regret, it was put down as he wouldn't take the chance of it biting any of his GC.

I'm afraid of dogs after one or two incidents with them. I don't want to be near one ever. My granddaughter had a fear of dogs when she was small but loves them now. Maybe your granddaughter will bet better with them when she's older.

Fear of dogs needs to be treated as she will meet these in everyday life. Unless her parents are content for her to carry this fear throughout her life.

Fear of dogs ought not to be confused with dislike of dogs. That is a separate issue.

One of my keyboard pupils was very wary of my dogs at first. She would squeal and run away. Even when they were in another room she was always asking where they were.

That was a year ago. Gradually she has accepted that they mean her no harm and she will now be in the same room as them.

Luckygirl has just proven my first point. Her fear of dogs could have cost her dear.

I jumped out of my skin not because of my dislike of dogs, but because of the sudden unexpected loud noise, which happened to have come from a dog. If the cussed dog had not been there, then neither would the noise.

I think if you walked past a house and a hidden dog barked very loudly and suddenly, you would jump out of your skin regardless of whether you were afraid of dogs or not!

Crossed posts Luckygirl

So you are not afraid of dogs then Luckygirl you just have an intense dislike then? And anyway I said your ‘fear’ in my post.

Cussed dog?

My dgs was 4 when we got dog. We got Llassa Apso too and very sweet and good natured breed. My dgs was afraid. It turned out a dog had jumped up, knocked him over and stood over him at the park. It was over a year before and my dd thought he would not have remembered the incident. I told him we would teach our dogvto do a trick and he could help me to train her. He was happy to throw a ball for dogvto chase and i got dog to bring it back to me and dgs threw dog a small treat. Once dog fetching ball well i told my dd in front of dgs how well he had trained my dog and how kuch my dog liked him. My dog gave dgs a Xmas gift too. Bit by bit dgs became less afraid. I only ever allowed dog to be near dgs when on lead and with me. I would put dog in crate or in another room when dgs came to visit. Now dgs comes in asking to nake dog do his trick. He is no longer afraid of dog but I still keep dog on lead. He also shakes dogs paw now. Small steps and let child feel in control.

I agree newnanny...i think that keeping the dogs completely away from the little girl is counter productive as it will likely feed into her anxiety as it reinforces that there is a reason to be afraid. Many of the gransnetters on this threat talk about their life long fear of dogs and im sure that some (not all I'm sure) were themselves kept away from dogs, meaning that they were not given the opportunity to change their mindset, hence the lifelong fear! Unfortunately fears can escalate into phobias which without attention can get bigger and becomes a very unpleasant, confidence sapping, anxiety producing state of being that just isnt cool. I have personally overcome a phobia of flying (almost) which is not the worst as it just stops me having lovely holidays but it does give me a glimpse into the crippling fear that can literally send me into awful blind panic. As a wise gn posted dogs are EVERYWHERE so I do think that rather than risking fear at every street corner a gentle, systematic introduction to the dogs might be a good thing. I wonder whether walking the dogs together would be sensible first step. Your gd seems to be screaming when there is a chance of being confronted face to face with the dogs so keeping them initially at a distance and on a lead whilst on a walk might be a good starting point gradually getting closer to her and just walking naturally at her side without particularly drawing her attention to the fact that shes close to them and its all ok. Once she's happy to go for a walk with them then you could possibly pass the lead to her (maybe a long retractable lead would be best as you can shortern it over time. Ultimately, the aim is for your gd to be in control and more importantly to FEEL in control. Anyway Moo moo you understand how desensitization works and know your dogs and gd so can decide what will work best for you. What I would suggest though is that you enlist the support of your daughter so that you are singing from the same songsheet.

Incidentally, as a child i was bitten by a boxer (not the human sort) while on holiday in Austria and did for a time feel afraid of dogs, but as a farming kid surrounded by dogs and ever changing animals of all sorts i just had to get on with it. It does perhaps explain my fear of flying to 'dangerous' foreign countries though (wink).

Good luck Moo..dogs are not for everyone, and that's fine too, but a companeable relationship with a dog can be wonderfully enriching so i think its right to persevere, albeit at a gentle pace that doesnt cause her additional distress.

Phew! Feel out of breath now....