Fear of dogs

A fear of dogs can be developed in some people. The fact that the dog is a domesticated superpredator and the increasing cases of dog attacks reported in media could be factors for developing a fear of dogs. The abnormal fear of dogs, i.e., a specific phobia related to dogs, is called cynophobia.

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A 1992 research of fear of dogs among children and adults ^[1] reported that actual dog attacks do not make any difference for a person to be fearful of dogs. On the other hand, early harmless exposure to dogs seem to hamper the conditioning which can lead to cynophobia. Small children are more susceptible to acquiring the fear of dogs simply because many things are more frightening to them, and dogs who make loud noises and abrupt moves can terrify many children. Pediatrical psychologists explain how a gradual exposure to dogs may prevent the occurrence of irrational fears of dogs while teaching the healthy awareness of potential danger from unfamiliar animals.

If a person has already developed cynophobia, this may be treated by various methods common for many specific phobias.

References

1. ^ Doogan S, Thomas G. V. "Origins of fear of dogs in adults and children: the role of conditioning processes and prior familiarity with dogs.", Behav. Res. Ther. 1992 Jul;30(4):387-94. PubMed