My friend's nearly-four-year-old is terrified of dogs. Suggestions?

Perhaps the daycare provider was a dog-a-phobe. I know adults who were bitten by a dog years ago and still can't stand to be around them. They have a physical reaction to even being around friendly ones.

She can do desensitization asap before the image of dogs as dangerous gets set firmly in his mind. She can start off with cartoon picture books of dogs as friendly, a stuffed dog, videos, movies, etc. showing dogs as friendly and helpful.

If she knows someone with a very old, friendly dog that he could visit that would be great. Old dogs, preferably snoozing are great for children as they don't make any sudden moves. Puppies are cute but they nip and are too rambunctious.

It really helps to know at least one, friendly, calm adult dog. Otherwise, he can watch them from a distance at the park while doing something fun so that he associates dogs with good things. This works for dogs, it should also work for kids. I wouldn't get him too near a dog park because dogs can fight with each other and that could scare him. People playing fetch or walking their dogs would be best.

She should also teach him how to be around dogs. No running, staring, kicking, pulling, hard petting, shrieking, food, etc. as that is all bad behavior around dogs and he should be polite. She doesn't have to let him know now that these behaviors can cause him to be bitten because he is already frightened as it is.

That's terrible, poor little guy doesn't have a clue on what is going on. It's going to be very hard for his mom and dad to get him turned around. It's possible, but, it won't happen over night. First thing is his parents have to keep telling him that dogs will not attack him. They have to take away what that crazy day care woman put in his head. Second, I'd say to get a puppy so that the dog can grow up with this little boy. Being the small little guy his is, it would be nice to have a dog that is small too. A very good breed to have around children are Labradors. Labs are very smart and loyal to their owners and are fantastic with kids. That way the pup will grow up with the little boy. His parents could take him to a shelter to look at dogs. I wouldn't recommend that any dogs be taken out of their runs, cages, as a precautionary measure. Let him look at the dogs and if he gets scared, take him out right away. They could take him to pet shops and let him look at puppies. That would be a good idea. Have puppies taken out so he can see them and pet them. Mom and dad can be there to help him with this and to tell him that doggies are nice animals. He has to be told every day that dogs won't hurt him, they have to take that horrible ordeal out of his mind. What is wrong with that crazy day care woman any ways?

I hope this helps, good luck!

Everyone is way too critical of that daycare worker. The truth is that some dogs do attack children, because they are aggressive and not properly trained. The babysitter was probably trying to warn the children to stay away from dogs they don't know, to prevent them from getting attacked and hurt. That's the babysitter's job-to protect children. Anyway, I am afraid of dogs myself because I was attacked by one as a child, so I can relate to your friend's problem. I agree that the child should be desensitized to dogs in a safe setting. Maybe your friend could bring her son to a house where an elderly, slow moving dog lives. Then he could learn how to pet the dog or play with the dog with adult supervision. Eventually, after repeated exposure, the boy won't react as strongly to dogs. Dogs sense fear, and many attack anyone that is scared of dogs. I am using exposure therapy to cope with another phobia myself, and even though it is difficult, it really is effective.

thats so sad and what a stupid thing the daycare provider did telling a young child that,i dont know really what to do with kids to help them get over there fear but he s really got to learn and quick that acting in this way when a dogs approaching is the worst thing he can do else he s going to get his self in to trouble if he ever meets the wrong dog, perhaps being around some small placid dogs would help? good luck

Try introducing the child to older calmer SMALlER dogs, and maybe wait a year, until he can comprhend more. Ask the child questions on why he is so afraid, and then comfort him. If and when they get a dog, I sugest that they don't get a puppy, becuase they tend to be a little rambunxtious.

First, your friend should sue the living daylights out of that daycare center for corrupting your son in such a manner.

I would seek a professional child psychologist's help for this phobia. Hopefully with time and therapy Sonnyboy will be able to be around dogs.

where are you located? if you're near northern virginia you totally have to bring him to meet my dog. her favorite thing on earth is babies. and she's fairly small (30lbs) so she's nothing to be afraid of.

if you have a dog park you should go there, and stay on the outside of the fence and let him watch the dogs. eventually he might be willing to let the dogs sniff him thru the fence, or even try to pet them thru the fence. just need lots of little steps. and if mom tells him that the dogs can get him because of the fence him might be a little calmer. another thing that could help, if you can let him meet a puppy, and i mean YOUNG puppy, like 8weeks old, maybe that will be less scarey.

wow what a bad daycare...anyways i think she should get a breed that is good with kids. but before she does that she should visit a shelter once a week and see if its ok if she lets her son look at a nd/or play with the freinly dogs there until the kid likes dogs

I would sue the person who told her son dogs will attack you for damages. It will prolly take a while. Get a nice quiet breed and have it lay down, take the kid to it and show him that it will not attack.