Fear of Dogs... or Other Fears!

Stopping fear is not convincing your head w/ facts. It's convincing your heart w/ trust.

• Learn about dogs. Watch them on tv. Read books. Visit website. Talk to dog owners.
  

when you are ready

• Find a place to watch dogs from a "safe" distance. Watch. Learn.

when you are ready

• Ask trusted friends to bring their sweet, gentle dogs just near you, but not touching.

when you are ready

• Let the dog smell you

when you are ready

• Let the dog touch you

when you are ready

• Touch the dog.

when you are ready

• Walk the dog. Feed the dog.

So "when you are ready" is a key component of the success or failure of addressing fear. "When you are ready" is naturally going to have a little bit of fear, which is ok. Too much fear is not ok. You are not ready. You should take a step back, see if you can regroup yourself, and maybe then try again. It is important to realize that your body is reacting as if there is a real threat present. Your cortisol levels are likely rising. Long-term exposure of hippocampus to cortisol levels has been linked to impaired learning.