Question:
I'm writing to you with a reverse question -- a question about a human.My 5-year-old son has a serious fear of animals. It all started two years ago, when a very friendly golden retriever was barking hello and jumping around him. He's never gotten over that fear, and now it has translated into a fear of cats and other animals. It's to the point that he doesn't want to go over to a friend's house if they have an animal.My husband's family has many animal lovers, and most have a dog and a cat. I feel badly asking people to put their animals away because we are coming over, but I also feel bad about throwing my son "into the fire." Recently, we spent a few days with my sister-in-law's family and their calm-mannered, sweet golden retriever. We prepared my son by reading books, etc. He didn't seem as fearful (at least, he didn't break out into hysterics), but he still wouldn't touch the dog or go within six feet of him. And he was always on the alert, watching or asking where the dog was.Perhaps we're overreactin
L.N., Bethesda, Md Nov 05, 2006
Answer:
No, you are not overreacting. Childhood phobias can last a lifetime. So continue visiting your sister-in-law's "therapy" dog. Let your son watch the dog run and play in the backyard. Let him hold the leash and take the dog for a walk. Let him see the dog being fed and groomed -- activities he can engage in later.Rent "Lassie Come Home" and others of that genre, which will help him identify with animals and learn about their gentleness, intelligence, devotion and bravery in helping, not hurting, humans.
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