Do you have Cynophobia?

As with other phobias, the exact causes of the fear of dogs have not yet been fully identified. In many cases, the reaction seems to be closely linked to the highly traumatic situations experienced in the past, such as being chased or bitten. However, aggressive manifestations by a dog are not always decisive for the onset of the phobia.

The fear of dogs can arise from a wrong learning mechanism, so the subject has a negative reinforcement deriving from the sense of diminishing anxiety, when he moves away from the object of the phobia.

According to a study the conditions under which the fear of dogs develops are three:

When none of these three experiences apply to the patient, biological factors can be considered the fourth cause of acquiring the fear of dogs. This means that the cynophobia could be the result of the generalization of a complicated mixture of learning and genetics, understood as an evolutionary residue of a previous defense mechanism, like the need to escape to avoid becoming a victim of predators.

Faced with the situation considered threatening, cynophobia can induce the subject to resort to avoidance strategies with respect to situations or places where dogs are usually found.

Typical behaviors may include:

This increasing isolation can lead to depression and other anxiety disorders. Some people develop a social phobia and even agoraphobia, becoming increasingly reluctant to leave their homes.

Cynophobia, in its most severe form, can be addressed with the help of psychologists and psychotherapists.

Initial analysis is crucial to realize the reasons behind the fear and to frame the problem within the one’s life history, identifying its meaning and measuring its range. Then it is possible to set up the right therapy and start a re-education path.

The treatments lead the person to rationalize his fear, trying to understand his own reaction and anxious behaviour to face the negative beliefs associated with the dogs. However, it is essencial to go on step by step, to avoid unnecessary stress to the person.

Since the avoidance contributes to the perpetuation of the phobia, the interaction – constant but safe – in the real world, during and after the therapy, is recommended in order to strengthen the positive exposure to the animal.

So, the fear of dogs can be addressed by beginning a cognitive-behavioral therapy. This therapy teaches the person how to overcome the scaring and limiting feelings associated with dogs, through the presentation of phobic stimuli under controlled conditions. With this method, the person suffering from cynophobia is introduced to the scaring situations with the possibility of learning emotional self-control techniques capable of reducing nervousness and panic.

Systemic desensitization involves exposure to the feared stimulus, that is to the images of the dog, to the animal “live” or to the situation capable of triggering fear, to acquire the ability to relax. In practice, one tackles all the negative beliefs associated with the idea of being attacked by the animal in question, from the least frightening to the most feared one at a time.

Exposure therapy is considered the most effective treatment for reducing or completely curing cynophobia. This approach involves systematic and prolonged exposure to a dog until the patient is able to experience the situation without an adverse response. Exposure therapy can be conducted in several sessions or can be performed in a single session over several hours. The patient is encouraged to approach the dog and, as his anxiety decreases, to interact with the animal, concluding the session when the fear is significantly reduced or completely eliminated. Once the session is over, the patient must therefore continue to interact with the feared object to reinforce what was learned in the therapy session.

Children between the agesof five and nine are more susceptible to developing dog phobia, either because they are conditioned by their parents, or because of their own behavior. In fact, some dogs do not like interacting with children when they are too extroverted towards them, disturbing them when they are eating, sleeping or nursing puppies. Also when children scream and annoy them by pulling their ears or tail. These behaviors can alert dogs and enable them to defend themselves.

We must always remember to interact cautiously with animals, in particular with those we do not know, and avoid behavior that may surprise, frighten or threaten them. It is important to teach children not to annoy dogs, to ask permission from the owner before stroking them and to play with them, even if they are well known.

Psychologists say that, gradually, the exposure of children to dogs can prevent the onset of cynophobia, as well as the fear deriving from unknown animals.

Even if we are not therapists, we can do our best to help people who are afraid of dogs.

First, remember that fear is irrational or caused by a past traumatic event. If we find ourselves in front of a stranger in the street we should keep the dog on a leash especially if he is a lively dog. If the other person claims to be afraid of the dog, try to reassure him.

Saying: “my dog is good, he is still a puppy, he would not hurt a fly” it makes no sense to those who are afraid of dogs. Phobia is not an opinion about our dog. Let’s not take it personally. Let’s try to reassure the person by keeping the dog still and avoiding approaching if the person does not want to and is visibly uncomfortable.

What if our friends are afraid of dogs? When a guest enters our house, the dog should not jump on people, if it is very lively and we still cannot control it, let’s keep it in the garden or in another room. On the other hand, it is our job to educate the dog.

Unfortunately, many people who are afraid of dogs avoid going home to friends who have a dog. Instead we should encourage them and reassure them by offering a safe zone, exposing them to the company of the dog only for a few seconds at a time, at a distance and without forcing them. Especially if our dog is docile and calm.

In this way we can get them used little by little and they could also overcome their fear thanks to our four-legged friend. Puppies are very useful in these cases because they are less threatening and more pleasant. The fear will not pass in a day, but knowing even one dog and spending some time with it, our friends could slowly learn to overcome their own fear. For example, we can teach them to recognize certain signs: when the dog wags his tail, or puts himself on the ground showing his belly.

However, a person who is afraid of dogs may never get over it. In fact, he could become familiar with his friends’ dogs and continue to be afraid of unknown dogs.