Dogs

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I have a massive phobia of dogs.

Dog owners always try to talk me out of it.

One argument which is absolutely rubbish is 'well it depends on the owner, owners train their dogs to be that way'.

OK. So it's apparently not natural for any breed of dogs to act like the dangerous dogs do. But that would be an argument in favour of getting one, not an argument in favour of not being scared of dogs that belong to humans you don't know or trust, are typically dangerous dog breeds and have humans who come across as dangerous themselves.

So when it comes to coming across those dogs and those humans, I will still be scared.

I think the main thing is - you can't rationalise someone out of a phobia. I think my phobia is fairly rational just in extreme form. But for eg my cousin is scared of little holes, like in crumpets. I could tell her it's illogical. But she knows that - that's why it's a phobia.

I know my level of fear of dogs is irrational. But it's a severe phobia.

I know the feeling. I'm terrified of bees and wasps. People laugh about it, but at least I have it easier than you since no one takes those fears personally.

I'm cautious around big dogs, and even that seems to be highly offensive to some dog owners.

A lot of dog owners seem unable of conceiving of the possibility that not all people share their fondness for having dirty coprophagistic predators around them.

There are lots of people who are ignorant about fears of specific animals. My family was friends with a family from California and their daughter had a very intense fear of dogs. There are people who say that ignorance is bliss. I beg to differ with them. You should just tell those people that your fear of dogs is very intense and that nothing can change that.

Om Nom hugs

For myself, my dog is my family, my best friend, she helps me hold it together.
BUT.
A phobia is a phobia.
There really is no discussion. If you are phobic, you are terrified and some people just don’t get it. I have mine, it is never going away, and I know 2 other people who have full-blown phobias.
Theirs aren’t going away, either.
You deserve to be listened to, and your fears acknowledged.
I am sorry that you had an upsetting experience.