Are You Afraid of Dogs?

yesterday was my sisters birthday party and i brought Dharma with me....
now, D is a VERY good dog. she just follows me around or just lays in hte sun.
I never have to worry about her running off or bothering anyone. I call her, she comes.

Well, TWO ppl at the party were sooooooooooo annoying.
They kept asking me to put her "away" (what "away" is ill never know) because their kids were scared.

i undestand their kids are scared, but its like, at a certain point they need ti deal with it. its MY house theyre at and my dog is there.

Id put her in the house for alittle bit, then id bring her back out, or someone would let her out, etc.

i mean these kids were ridiculous. total overreacting. dharma was ON MY LAP and one girl was whining to mom "the dog! the dog!" it was like C'MON already!
then i was trying to say goodbye to my sister, the birthday girl and she is in her room with all her friends and im saying good bye and behind her this girl is saying "Do NOT let the dog in, i dont like dogs"
ummmm im just trying to say goodbye to my sister, stop interupting.

i just get annoyed sometimes cuz she isnt going to do anything. she wants nothing to do with you.... i

Re: Are You Afraid of Dogs?

I'm not afraid of dogs but one of my DD's boyfriend is.When we went to a party at my cousins house he freaked at her Lab so she put her in her room and shut the door.I went in there to keep her company and the poor thing was so distraught at being locked away she pounced on my arm when I went to leave.I had to get 5 stiches but I don't blame her she just wanted to be with the rest of the family...

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I am afraid of big dogs and I am afraid of dogs that jump on me right away before I get to know them.
USUALLY once I spend a little bit of time with a dog then I am fine.

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I have been afraid of dogs since I was a little kid. I have gotten much better, but still do not like big dogs or being jumped on or licked by any size dog. When I was a child, my friends' parents would put the dog in another room while I was there. Now, I'm pretty good at getting used to individual dogs after a few minutes, but I totally understand where those children are coming from.

I understand how you feel that their fears are irrational, but the truth is that most fears are, and it is hard for someone who does not have that phobia to understand.

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I am only afraid of German Shepards...and that has to do with my childhood.

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The only dog that i've ever been afraid of is my uncle's doberman because i was really little and the dog barked and went after everyone that walked into the house (although, we think their neighbor used to throw rocks at her... and we think that's why she was so aggressive).

I get a little leery around big dogs, but usually not if i know the owner.

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I am very scared of dogs.......there are only a few that I will even pet. I fear most animals, actually. I don't have any particular reason - just been that way my whole life..........

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Message edited 9/17/2006 3:38:25 PM.

Re: Are You Afraid of Dogs?

Posted by Lisa


If I onwed a dog and I saw that someone was uncomfortable with my dog being around, I would certainly remove the dog from that room and put them somewhere else. I would never, ever allow an animal to make a guest of mine uncomfortable...and some people just dont understand that.

Message edited 9/17/2006 4:03:16 PM.

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I grew up around dogs. Big dogs, too. Mostly shepards. I love dogs. And while I'm not afraid of them, I always become nervous when I see one on the street and I'm walking. It's only since I've lived in Queens. I will cross the street. It's because I don't know the dog nor the owner. Otherwise though, no I'm not afraid.

As for your situation, my IL's old dog was very skiddish around strangers. I was the first outside person who actually won her over. But they'd make accomodations because she was intimidating. But that's the thing. Dharma isn't a 120 pound rottweiler. She's a peanut. I'm with you on this one. It was excessive and yes, the parents do need to show the children that the dog was nothing to be afraid of. Parents need to show children how to respect animals, like gently petting, not touching their food, not pulling, etc.

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I'm not afraid of dogs I just don't like them slobbering all over me.

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this is a tough one. i secretly despise anyone that doesn't like my dog...sorry. but, if someone felt uncomfortable around my dog at my house I would probably put him in his "apartment" (aka the laundry room) and just write the person off in my head

Message edited 9/17/2006 5:03:28 PM.

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if it makes any difference it was my moms house.

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Not afraid of dogs at all.. i have 4

eta: i have 1 my mom has 3

Message edited 9/17/2006 5:41:22 PM.

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I love dogs and love being around them. I have three of my own and they are very much a part of my family. However, when I have company, I do put them in one of the bedrooms. Mostly for their own protection, but, also, you never know what a dog will do. Even the most mild mannered, well-adjusted, even-tempered dog can get spooked and, if they perceive that they are being challenged or they become afraid, they can and will act on instinct. I would much rather have them safely in another room than take a chance.

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I can't ever understand being afraid of dogs because I grew up in a house with HUGE dogs my entire life. My brother was even attacked by a German Shepard when we were young. But we knew enough to know that that is not normal behavior.

People do sometimes have irrational fears, and I can understand why it would annoy you. Especially when you keep putting the dog in and people keep letting it out.

I love dogs so much that if my child eventually had a fear of dogs, I would probably really try to work on helping that child get over that fear.

Most kids are afraid of the water, so does that mean that you're never going to teach them how to swim?? Basic things like fear of swimming or fear of animals should not be ignored. These are things that kids need to learn to overcome, in my opinion, and the only way they will be able to do that is if the parents help them. JMHO

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Before I got Molly I was deathly afraid of dogs and really did not like any dog that I was ever around. My entire family is really that way also - we were never a dog family.

Now that I have Molly it's totally a different story for both me and my family. I am still scared of big dogs but I understand dogs better - and I understand dog owners better. My family has been so much better with dogs now also since we had Molly.

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I am not afraid of dogs but I prefere not to be around them or any other kind of animals, for that matter. I am just not a big fan, that's all. I also prefere to make sure there are no dogs around my child, although if it is a little one and the owner is beign very responsible and controls it well, than it is ok.

My sister has a huge boxer whose head is the size of a 1 year old child and she knows that that dog is never welcomed in my house and if we are together at my parent's home the dog has to be controlled and not come up to my son at all. I have heard way to many very unfortunate stories to allow it anywhere near my child...

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i'm not a fan of dogs at all. i get nervous around any dog over the size of a poodle.

if you have guests over and they're uncomfortable, the polite thing is to put the dog in another part of the house. regardless of how "irrational" the guests are being, you want a guest to be comfortable. especially if it's a kid--you can't rationalize with little kids.

one of my good friends has a monstrous dog. although she's friendly, my friend knows i'm scared of her and she ALWAYS puts her in the yard or another section of the house when i'm over. it's very thoughtful of her and allows me to enjoy my visit. just because it's her house doesn't mean she should let the dog run all over when a guest is there.

next time that happens, i would consider putting the dog somewhere else and when the guests leave, let her run all over the place. but while they're there, take their feelings into consideration, especially with kids