Dog phobia (dog phobia): causes, symptoms and treatment

Although many people like dogs, others are so afraid of them that it is a problem for them.

Dogs, along with cats, are one of the favorite pets for humans. They offer great companionship, are loved and, in some cases, even serve as therapy. Those of us who have or have ever had a dog know that these little animals become part of our family and can even become our best friends.

In fact, 74% of the Spanish population affirms that the presence of dogs in their home makes them happier.. This is the conclusion of the Affinity Foundation's scientific study on the Bond between People and Pets. This study had 6,000 volunteers.

However, despite the fact that these animals are very often adorable, some people suffer great panic and discomfort in their presence, and avoid being near them at all costs. This is known as cynophobia or dog phobia..

Dog phobia, more common than we think

Almost 43% of Spanish families have pets at home, and the dog is the favorite pet. According to the Affinity Foundation study, for 31% of subjects in their research, their dog is almost more important than their friends. Oddly enough, 71% say they communicate regularly with their pet.

So, for pet lovers, it is hard to imagine anyone feeling terror in the presence of a canine. However, dog-phobia is more common than many people think. According to the results of a study conducted by psychologist José Gil Martínez, professor at the University of Valencia, 10% of individuals suffer from excessive and irrational fear of dogs.. Not all of these people have this type of phobia, since this terror would have to be so intense that it would damage their quality of life, but taking into account this proportion, it is estimated that the number of people with dog phobia is relatively high.

Symptoms of cynophobia

People with dog phobia feel extreme anxiety when they are close to the animal or when they think about meeting it..

The main symptoms they experience are panic and fear, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, trembling and a strong urge to flee or avoid the feared stimulus. Thus, the symptomatology is no different from that of any specific phobia, but individuals with this type of phobia not only fear that a dog will harm them, but they are also afraid of the panic response. also fear the panic response that accompanies an encounter that accompanies an encounter with these animals.

As with other phobic disorders, dog phobia often presents with physical, cognitive and behavioral symptoms. physical, cognitive and behavioral symptoms.. These are as follows:

• Disorientation and lack of concentration.
• Sensation of shortness of breath and hyperventilation.
• Excessive sweating.
• Dry mouth.
• Intense terror.
• Intestinal discomfort and headache.
• Tension in the muscles.
• Avoidance behaviors.
• anguish
• rapid heartbeat and increased Heart rate.

How phobias develop

Most phobias have their beginning in childhood or adolescence.The most frequent cause is the presence of a traumatic event that the person associates with a dog. From there, it generalizes this fear to all animals of the species by a process called classical conditioning.

There are several scenarios that can provoke the development of phobia. A direct experience can be a dog bite.. However, it is sometimes possible for a phobia to appear due to an irrational belief. For example, if a parent repeats to a child that dogs are dangerous and that they attacked his grandfather in the past.

It may also happen that the person experiencing this phobia is not aware of its onset, for example, being caused by a mild incident when watching a horror movie with dogs or by a feature film about rabies.

Some experts claim that there is a certain genetic predisposition to develop phobias. However, others, the vast majority, believe that it is a purely learned phenomenon in the a purely learned phenomenon in the interaction with the environment.The treatment of cynophobia, beyond the fact that some people have a greater predisposition to anxiety.

Treatment of cynophobia

Phobia is an anxiety disorder, and like other phobic disorders, it responds well to cognitive behavioral therapy. One of the most commonly used techniques to treat this problem are the expository techniques, more specifically the systematic desensitization method. This technique is designed to help eliminate fear gradually and foster more useful coping skills.

As the therapeutic sessions progress, live dogs can be used, although in the initial stages photographs, audiovisual content, stuffed dogs and even imaginative exposure are often used. It should not be forgotten that dog phobia is an irrational fear, and patients generally suffer from phobic symptoms even when the animal is not present.

Overcoming it can be a slow process

As the person overcomes the fear, they are encouraged to engage in positive behaviors such as approaching and petting a dog. Overcoming a phobia can be a slow process (a matter of months) and requires patience, effort and resilience.

If the phobia is severe, the psychologist may work with a psychiatrist who prescribes medication for the patient. Although medication should never be the only therapeutic option, it can help reduce anxious symptoms.but they can help reduce the anxious symptoms significantly.

Dog-phobia can create enormous discomfort, especially considering that dogs are animals that coexist with humans and with whom it is common to cross paths. with whom they frequently cross paths.. Fortunately, like any type of phobia, it can be overcome, although in most cases the anxiety it produces does not disappear completely.

Apps to help against anxiety

New technologies are also present in the treatment of phobias, and in recent years it has become possible to develop different apps that help you overcome the pathology if you suffer from it.

Some of them expose you to the feared stimulus thanks to virtual reality or augmented reality, while others simply provide you with information to help you better understand what it is you are suffering from. provide you with information to help you better understand what is happening to you.. If you want to know more about these applications, you can read this article: "8 apps to treat phobias and fears from your smartphone".