Stupid Phobia

Hi Guys....

My Girlfriends Brother is scared to death of dogs... he can't relax when Monty is in the room and struggles to sleep when he knows he is in the house. This is making christmas a real problem as we are staying at his house over christmas.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how he can overcome this phobia? He has spent time with Monty but this hasn't worked!

Oh, that's a hard one.

Have you tried keeping Monty on a lead while he & your brother are in the same room?

We do, he knows its stupid which is why he doesen't stop us coming over. But I can see he can't relax which is quite frustraiting!

The only thing I can sugest is relaxation exercises (ie deep breathing - in through the nose, hold for 5 seconds, then out slowly through the mouth). Going for walks with you and Monty might help as well?

Maybe I should just set Monty on him... I'm sure a good face licking will help. Failing that I'll just keep him outside... her brother that is.

Dan330 wrote: Failing that I'll just keep him outside... her brother that is.

He may benefit from walks with monty also just being around him may help

I had the same phobia for 31 years...then I literally met Roxy and it was love at first site Does he touch Monty? What if you hold Monty and let him pet her in his own time?

Yeah we have tried all of the above... he is getting a little better, he just needs to man up a little!.

I would also try walks. Being out in the fresh and and exercise are both calming

I haven't been able to bring my family around that is a bit frightened, but at least he is trying. Mine won't even try... fine with me though!

Caryll wrote:

Dan330 wrote: Failing that I'll just keep him outside... her brother that is.

thats what would happen if some one was scared of romeo, they'd be the ones in the dog house

All you can do is take it a little at a time. Phobias are quite real to the person concerned even though sometimes we see them as irrational. (I am absolutely terrified of spiders). Don't force your GFs brother or ridicule him. He may be more concerned about what you may be thinking of him than your dog. He may never get over his phobia but may in time be able to tolerate your dog. Let him deal with this in his own way. (In my very humble opinion).

Jules

Well I'm inclined to agree with Jules, compared to some peoples phobias it could be deemed quite rational. Has been attacked or chased by dogs in the past? Year ago we had great fun convincing a friend who was scared of hieghts to walk up to the first level of the Eiffel Tower, He was physically sick and bent over doubled up, we then left him there and went to the top > > > It didn't cure him. Some people are afraid of spiders which when compared to a dog is a very small creature, and to give him his due he is trying. Most people on a dog forum are not going to be able to get his phobia as we love our dogs. Phobias are generally irrational feelings with diferent causes.

Hes never been chased or bitten.... His dad is determined to make him get over it. In fairness he is a bit of a wuss, we went gokarting at the weekend and he found it too scary and stopped (i think he had a little cry whilst no-one was looking.

Poor Lad...

Dan330 wrote:Hes never been chased or bitten.... His dad is determined to make him get over it. In fairness he is a bit of a wuss, we went gokarting at the weekend and he found it too scary and stopped (i think he had a little cry whilst no-one was looking.

Poor Lad...

Didn't like go-karting ok I'm with you on that one

Out of interest how old is he?