My toddler is scared of dogs. How can I help him cope with this?

It’s common, especially for children who have not grown up around dogs, for toddlers to be afraid of dogs. If yours is one of these children, then there are a few ways you can help them to get over this fear.

Find someone you know who has a gentle and child friendly dog, and let your child spend some time near them. If they are very afraid, let them hold your hand, or stand behind you. Then allow the dog to sniff your hand, or stroke it. This should indicate to your child that you are not afraid of the dog, and that it’s okay for them to touch and interact with the dog.

Usually, if you show that you are not afraid of a dog, in spite of their noisiness and boisterous nature; your child will accept this. It does mean that you will need to hide any fear you may be feeling yourself! If that doesn’t work, try reading books or watching movies that feature dogs, and gradually get him used to the idea.

It’s a good idea to also teach your child that not all dogs are friendly, and that they should never approach strange dogs without your company.