What It Would Take for Me to Overcome My Fear of Dogs

Fear has a funny way of sticking around, even when you know it shouldn’t. It sneaks into your mind, controls your actions, and refuses to let go. For some, it’s heights. For others, it’s speaking in public. But for me, it has always been dogs.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can someone be scared of something as loving and loyal as a dog? People talk about how dogs are the best companions, how they sense emotions, and how they bring so much joy. I wish I see them that way. For as long as I can remember, when I hear a bark, my mind tells me to run. Also, when I see a dog running freely, my mind tells me to run.

It all started when I was a kid. I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember the fear. I was walking down the lane near my house, and minding my own business. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a street dog charged at me. It wasn’t just barking—it was furious. Its sharp teeth flashed, its paws kicked up dust, and I was convinced it was coming straight for me.

My legs moved before my brain think, and I ran as fast as I. My heart pounded, my breath was uneven, and I was sure I was about to get bitten. I don’t even know if the dog was actually chasing me. Maybe I imagined the whole thing. But that moment changed everything.

Since then, dogs have never been just dogs to me. They’ve been unpredictable, fast, and a little too close to danger. No matter how many times people say, "They won’t do anything, just stay calm," my body doesn’t listen. Every time I see one, I instinctively step back. My mind replays that childhood memory, and the fear comes rushing in like it never left.

What Would It Take to Overcome This Fear?

I’ve asked myself this question so many times. Deep down, I know this fear isn’t logical. Not every dog is aggressive. Not every bark is a threat. But knowing that doesn’t magically erase the fear.

Maybe the first step is understanding dogs better. I don’t know much about them—how they think, how they react, or why they behave the way they do. Maybe if I learned more, I’d realize that not every movement means danger. People trust their dogs with their kids, right? There has to be something I’m missing.

Then there’s exposure. I can’t expect to wake up one day and just not be scared anymore. Maybe I need to take it slow. Watching a dog from a distance, standing near one, then maybe, one day, touching one. No sudden movements. No pressure. Just small steps.

Most importantly, I think it’s about rewiring my mind. That one childhood experience shaped my fear, but it doesn’t have to define my entire life. I don’t want to be the person who crosses the street just to avoid a dog. I don’t want my daughter to grow up seeing me scared and thinking dogs are something to fear.

Will I ever be a dog person? I don’t know. But I’d love to reach a point where I can walk past one without my heart racing. Maybe one day, instead of running away, I’ll stay still. I will see a dog for what it really is—not a threat, but just another living being trying to exist.

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