Suggestions for dog phobia(long)

[SarahZ]

I just got off the phone with my sister. We are so different in many ways, but now that we're older we are good friends.
My sister is extremely afraid of dogs, but she tries very hard to deal with it and get past it. She has been able to get through it with certain dogs after spending time around the certain dog, little by little, but she still can't have the dog all over her. She asks me to bring Moe over to see the kids, and actually wants us to come more regularly. When we do this, Moe is always on a leash, and she will be near by but not closer than 5 or 6 feet. I feel so bad for her because she wants to be comfortable with dogs and even went to some kind of therapist years ago to work on this phobia.
Back to the phone conversation.
Anyway, she, her husband (who loves dogs) and my 3 nieces just got back from camping in Acadia. She told me she had a horribly embarassing episode on a boat ride, some kind of small schooner. Everyone got on the boat and settled in, and then she sees 2 big newfs come on board. So, she got really nervous because they were going to be roaming around the boat. This is a big part of her fear, when a dog is loose and able to come near her. My bil said he'd play with them if they came over and so she tried to calm down and thought she'd be ok. But, when they came near her, and she said that all of the sudden, she felt overwhelmed, and started hyperventilating, shaking, and half-crying. She asked to be let off the boat, but the crew said that if anyone is afraid of dogs, they tie the dogs up. So, then she felt bad because they tied them up and that she basically had a panic attack in front of a whole bunch of people.
So, I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with helping people get over their dog phobias. My sister had a bad experience with a dog as a child. She wasn't bitten, but she was riding a big-wheel-like a tricycle, and chased by a neighborhood dog, back in the day when dogs would be let out without the owner around. Bringing Moe-who is still young-over to her house is obviously not helping much, since she knows how sweet newfies are, and has no problem with her children being around Moe and getting kisses from him. She really really tries, guys, so any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sarah

 

[victoria1140]

has she tried hypnotherapy as I know that can help with all the anxiety build up with phobias. she may never really get over it but at least she is tolerating dogs now and is prepared to fight for it which is always a good sign

 

[R Taft]

I think if she really wants to get over this, she will have get professional help........
And maybe if you know of someone with a proper therapy newf to do the introductions slowly with a well mannered newf. Still this sounds like a very deeply rooted problem and you might make things worse by self treatment...........Good luck at least she is willing to try. that is always the first step

 

[bria]

My sister's middle child (my niece) was chased down her street by a Rottweiler when she was very young. Her heart was pounding through her chest when she got home and my sister went apeshit on the owners but they didn't care. My niece does not like large dogs either and although she doesn't have panic attacks still she doesn't like to visit me. If anyone has any suggestions I too would appreciate it.

Susan

 

[SarahZ]

I'm going to suggest that she try a professional again. I stopped over to her house earlier to talk to her more about it. She said that before her episode, she actually thought she'd be ok and was very surprised how strong and sudden her reaction was. She also brought back a really cute slate welcome sign with a newfie painted on it for me!
Ronnie, I was thinking a therapy dog might help too. Moe's definitely not a therapy dog-hahaha!-although he is good (and tired) when we take him over. She actually does fine being near Moe, but then, he's on a leash.
She knows how unrational her fear is, but it certainly affects her, and she doesn't want the kids to grow up being afraid of dogs like she has. Thanks for the input.

 

[lola]

I was chased down the street as a kid by a huge black german shepard/lab mix who apparently only wanted to kiss me, but when you're 4, it doesn't look so friendly. Luckily I suffered no ill effects of it, but I know how bad fears can paralyze a person sometimes, and really the best way to deal with it is with a professional.

 

[ina/puusty]

I do understand the situation..where emotions fly-through-the-surface..on the instant. I have a 'tears thing'..that happens when I am startled by a loud noise. There is no..inner control..I weep instantly. Then..like an idiot..I fell apart and screamed on a hiking trip in the mountains..when the sons were about 12 and 14. I walked past a sunning..nest of snakes tangled upon the trail all 4 of us were on..and 'lost it'. After the camping trip was over..I got myself to a science teacher who..over the period of a month..helped me deal with the idea of snake..by having me work toward handling the snakes in the sci. room. It worked..and now I am ok with the random snake. Your sister..must focus upon the need to..as I did..'not cripple' her children..with a personal, unreasoned fear. It was what got me..through the various levels of handling and even letting one curl about my shoulders. I learned.. to worry about the snakes well-being..and..always, Always..about why..I was doing this. So my sons..would NOT..be crippled. Yes..have her go for special counseling..where ever it is available. Good luck, ina n HB n Kesa

 

[lacey9875]

Whoa Ina, you are you are my hero. I am absolutely terrified of snakes ( it creeps me out to even type the word) and the thought of trying to get past it is something I can't even think about.


Sarah, hope your sister gets help with her fears-then she can get her own Newfy!

 

[SarahZ]

Haha! I'm not sure she'd quite go that far! When she told me the story, it was kind of funny...in the way you look back on something after it happens, and it involved newfies. It's been a life long thing for her and our family. She has young children, so her days are pretty full, but maybe this school year when my second niece starts kindergarten she could find some time for a therapist.
I think I'm going to suggest that because her reaction was so profound and the intensity was unexpected, that its probably time for her to try again with a professional. And of course, because I'm a good sister, I'll babysit while she goes....and then if I do that she might never stop going!-haha!

 

[ozzysma]

i think the worst part of this for your sister is that it has gone past being afraid of dogs. now she will be afraid of her reaction (having a panic attack in public that comes on without control) without help this could become a very big problem. wishing your sister well!!!

 

[bria]

I've always read that you should deal with your fears head on as Ina did but I could not do it with snakes. I just couldn't do it. In fact I can't even stand worms in the yard after it rains. When I have to go out there and pick up poo I freak a little as well when I see them on the sidewalks in the rain. Snakes are the only thing that creep me out. I can stand anything else but snakes.

Now dog fear is something I have also encountered with people and I just can't understand it. Maybe because of my rescue and my petcare business it's just something I don't understand. Most of the people in my neighbourhood are afraid of my Newfs but thankfully not the kids so they aren't passing their fears on to them.

Susan

 

[SarahZ]

Now dog fear is something I have also encountered with people and I just can't understand it. Maybe because of my rescue and my petcare business it's just something I don't understand. Most of the people in my neighbourhood are afraid of my Newfs but thankfully not the kids so they aren't passing their fears on to them.

Susan

I know, I have a hard time understanding it because I love dogs, cats too but I'm really allergic so it's hard to love on them. Growing up my aunt and her husband were really hard on my sister about her dog phobia. They had a couple of rat-terrier type dogs that used to run all over the place, like up and down the back of the furniture, and now they have 4 boston terriers. My sister would go to their house, she was just always on alert to make sure they didn't jump on her. I think because I know that my sister realizes her feelings aren't rational and tries to overcome them, I could never be upset with her about it. She's so sweet and gives Moe (and previously Onyx) Christmas gifts, easter baskets, etc because she knows they're my babies.
The funny thing is I remember as kids this cute little dog showed up at our house like it was lost for a few days or something and we both really wanted to keep it, but our mom said no, probably realizing she'd be doing all the work! And another time when we were little, our grandparents were watching a little dog for a friend and we walked it around the neighborhood and fed it liverwurst. Maybe if we had gotten a dog when we were young my sister's phobia would have resolved itself.

 

[Yogi & Cordelia's Erin]

I am so familiar with panic attacks.
Professional help is the only answer. I've been self medicating (without substances thank you) for a year to no avail.
But, it will only work if she's ready to let go of the fear. Kinda like how sobriety works only when you are ready to give up the liquor.