Fear of Dogs

Recently, a good friend shared the sad news that their seven-year-old dog had passed away; naturally, they were devastated, and my heart went out to them. This news prompted me to reflect on the profound bond we share with our dogs and the immense sorrow that accompanies their loss. As I sat with our gentle and loving dogs, I thought back to a time when I was deeply afraid of dogs and how I eventually overcame that fear.

My journey began with a traumatic incident: at four years old, I survived a near-fatal dog attack. It was a close call; had the bite been just two centimetres further to the right, my trachea would have been severed, likely leaving me as nothing more than a memory. After receiving forty-seven stitches and spending a considerable time in the hospital, I returned home. The years that followed were interspersed by nightmares and bedwetting—a testament to the deep-seated impact of the attack (thankfully, I have since recovered). The ordeal not only affected me but also impacted my family, who I’m sure, at times struggled with the aftermath.

Trauma, as I've learned, doesn't only affect the direct victim. It ripples out, touching the lives of those around them.

Since the attack, my fear of dogs became paralysing. Despite my love for dogs, I was overwhelmed by fear during every encounter. To cope, I unknowingly began practising a rudimentary form of self-hypnosis, which became a vital tool in my healing process.

By my early teens, I had developed a coping mechanism whenever a dog approached: I would silently reassure myself, "He/She isn’t going to hurt me; they just want to be my friend."

Over time, this mantra helped me progress from just about tolerating a dog's presence to actively engaging with them—first by offering my hand, then a pat, and eventually overcoming my fear entirely. Today, I cherish every moment with these wonderful animals.

My experiences have shown me that the scars left by early traumatic or painful experiences can indeed be mended. If you or someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event, consider the transformative potential of addressing and healing from these wounds.

How might your life improve if you could let go of a deep-seated fear, a negative belief, a traumatic memory, or a harmful habit?

Reflect on this and adjust the above as necessary to support your healing journey.

Feel free to drop me a PM if you’d like to know more about how you can overcome fears like this.

JKH