Cynophobia is the crippling fear of dogs. Cynophobia is the Greek word cyno meaning dog & phobia meaning fear.
It can be debilitating, you can lose your mind, have heart-pounding, sweaty palms, feel sick, dizzy, unsafe, and out of control and you simply cannot rationalise it. I have the same feeling with flying completely irrational as I know it is one of the safest ways to travel but at the same time, I cannot shift the fear. Some people will admit to this fear, and some will be too embarrassed and bury it so it doesn’t show externally but internally they are feeling all of the above.
Cynophobia affects 1 in 20 people and is rarely talked about. It is more obviously prevalent in children as they haven’t yet learned the ability to mask their fear. How often do you see kids hanging onto their mums or dads when out walking, and the parent saying it’s ok he won’t hurt you, look she’s so friendly, it can get very frustrating for any parent! But in adults a lot of the time you wouldn’t know that they are suffering, however for them meeting a dog still has a silent debilitating effect. People who do not let on that they are scared often make excuses as to why they can’t go somewhere that a dog could potentially be for example a walk, having a picnic, or going around to a friend’s house who has a dog. There will be signs!
Many Adults will not verbalise that they are scared of dogs in case of ridicule or mocking. But it is a valid fear for all who suffer and should not be marginalised.
This is a rarely talked about condition. Some people are scared of all dogs but some people are scared of specific breeds or a type of dogs. For example, bully breeds have got a name for themselves over the years for being aggressive, Alsatians, large dogs, and Dogs with strong facial features! My child had a fear of dogs such as Boxers, French bulldogs, Pugs etc.. any dog with a flattened face, regardless of their size.
Cynophobia can be explained and sometimes it can’t! For example, A person who has had a traumatic experience in the past that has been confronted by an aggressive dog, an over playful one or even bitten may develop the fear. Some people develop cynophobia from a young age from inheriting it from a family member or friend, and some may have seen movies or heard stories that have caused this issue and some have no explanation at all they are just plain scared!
What Can You Do?
So next time you are with someone who is afraid of a dog tell them is OK and if you are someone who is scared of dogs speak freely about this fear and then you are less likely to be put in a situation that you do not want to be in! It is ok for people to say they are scared of spiders, snakes, sharks, flying, heights etc… so why not dogs!
Let us all gain a better understanding and be more empathetic to those that do suffer to be able to create a more harmonised living between person and pooch!
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