BBRoundtable

How do you help a child overcome their fear of dogs? <
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>My niece is afraid of dogs. She wasn't always like this and she grew up around dogs, but I think sometime ago she got bit by neighbor's dog. She doesn't remember it happening, but the fear is there. She's gotten better around Mac (meaning we can let him out of the room while she's visiting and she pets him,) but she can be clingy and nervous at times. When it comes to Ruff (who's hyper and goofy) she practically stands on top of your head. <
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>Any advice? <
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Calmer, smaller dogs tend to be good to get a child used to dogs I think... An excitable dog like you described Ruff as isn't going to help any near the start unless you can calm him down long enough to show your child that he's nice.<
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>That's about all the advice I can give. I'm certainly no animal-expert... <i>You know what sucks?<
>Life sucks.<
>You know why it sucks?<
>'Cause I don't have a GameCube.</i>--Nakor, the Blue Rider<
>Pure TroubleGO TEAM CANADA!<i></i>

i'm not too fond of kids that don't like dogs. (the doctor is in the house)<i></i>

I suppose she will eventually overcome that fear..but some people can take years to overcome it. <i></i>