For us, dog owners, it is hard to understand why some people are afraid of them. They are so tender and cuddly, and they wouldn’t hurt anyone … but we have to understand that the fear of dogs is a real phobia.
It’s called cynophobia and it’s the irrational and persistent fear of dogs.
The causes are many: in some cases, the fear of dogs consists in the fear of being bitten or attacked, often caused by a negative experience of the past.
Other times, as other phobias, fear is determined by several reasons, not always identifiable.
People suffering from cynophobia have a feeling of great discomfort, anxiety or nervousness, when a dog barks or approaches them. The fear can interfere with daily life and, in the most extreme cases, can cause panic attacks, dizziness, sweating, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and nausea.
The sense of discomfort and anxiety can be triggered by the idea that these animals can bite or from other specific situations.