Fear of Dogs (Cynophobia)
Understanding, Support, and Treatment
Are you or someone you care about struggling with a fear of dogs? You’re not alone. Cynophobia, the intense fear of dogs, is more common than many people realize and can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Who Experiences Cynophobia?
While fear of dogs often begins in childhood, it can develop at any age. People may be more vulnerable if they have:
Anxiety, depression, or panic attacks
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other phobias
A history of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Sensory or intellectual differences, such as those associated with autism
A family history of phobias or anxiety
Experienced a frightening encounter with a dog, even if there was no physical harm
Sometimes, the fear stems from a specific incident. In other cases, something as simple as hearing a dog bark, seeing a dog in the distance, or recalling a past event can trigger intense emotional or physical reactions.
What Causes a Fear of Dogs?
Cynophobia often develops from a combination of personal experience, mental health history, and environmental influences. A past negative interaction with a dog, especially during a stressful or vulnerable time, can contribute to the development of this fear.
How We Help Overcome Cynophobia
Before beginning any exposure work, we complete a thorough assessment to understand your history, current triggers, and overall goals. This ensures the process is safe, functional, and tailored to what makes sense for you and your life.
We incorporate in vivo exposures in real time, paired with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help retrain the brain’s response to dogs. These sessions are carefully structured to be safe and supportive, moving at a pace you can handle. Exposures might take place in my office with my certified therapy dogs, in controlled public settings, or—when beneficial and appropriate—in your own home environment. The goal is to gradually reduce anxiety and build lasting confidence so you can feel more at ease around dogs in everyday life.