Strategies to Overcome Canine Anxiety
In this article, we delve into the common phobia known as cynophobia, or fear of dogs, and offer a practical approach to help those affected by it. This guide, co-authored by Evan Parks, PsyD and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD, provides valuable insights and strategies to manage and overcome this fear.
Cynophobia is an anxiety disorder, often worsened by specific circumstances that result in a specific fear of dogs. If your fear of dogs qualifies as a full-blown phobia, working closely with a professional therapist can help determine underlying medical or mental conditions that may be exacerbating the phobia.
The first step to overcoming a fear of dogs is identifying triggers. This includes understanding whether the fear is caused by dogs in general or specific behaviors like growling or barking. Once triggers are identified, exposure therapy can be a helpful method. Start with gradual and controlled exposure to dogs, beginning with less threatening scenarios and progressively increasing proximity and interaction as comfort grows.
Practicing deep breathing techniques can help manage anxiety symptoms during exposure or anticipatory situations when thinking about dogs. Deep breathing helps to calm the nervous system and reduce physiological anxiety responses, making it easier to face fears.
Cognitive restructuring, a component of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, is also crucial. This process involves identifying and challenging irrational or exaggerated beliefs about dogs and replacing them with more realistic, positive thoughts. This reduces fear by changing negative thought patterns that fuel anxiety.
Educating yourself about dogs can also help demystify and lower fear. Learning about dog behavior, body language, and how to safely interact with them can provide a better understanding and reduce anxiety.
Combining relaxation methods with therapy can enhance anxiety management and improve exposure therapy outcomes. Alongside deep breathing, methods like meditation or progressive muscle relaxation can be beneficial.
Amanda Marshall-Polimeni, a Dog Behavior Consultant, specializes in using non-coercive, reinforcement-based approaches to generate desired behaviors. Dr. Evan Parks, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, specializes in helping people manage chronic pain through the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Approach at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Overcoming cynophobia begins with understanding that our scary thoughts are generally untrue and won't happen. Fear of a dog, like any kind of fear, is caused by treating our thoughts, feelings, and sensations as true, valid, and important. The main issue with managing fear is knowing when to stop fighting it. Once we let go, we can willingly accept our discomfort, get grounded in the present moment, and put our energy into doing things that are in line with what matters to us.
[1] This combined approach is supported by clinical practices in treating cynophobia (fear of dogs) and helps build tolerance, reduce anxiety, and reform negative thought processes effectively.
- To manage cynophobia (fear of dogs), it is beneficial to work with a professional therapist to identify underlying medical or mental conditions that may be exacerbating the phobia.
- One effective method for overcoming a fear of dogs is exposure therapy, which involves gradual and controlled exposure to dogs, starting with less threatening scenarios and increasing proximity and interaction as comfort grows.
- Practicing deep breathing techniques can help manage anxiety symptoms during exposure or anticipatory situations when thinking about dogs, as it calms the nervous system and reduces physiological anxiety responses.
- Cognitive restructuring, a component of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, is important for overcoming cynophobia, as it involves identifying and challenging irrational or exaggerated beliefs about dogs and replacing them with more realistic, positive thoughts.
