After a reasonably quiet week at home, yesterday we made an effort to get out of the house. We went to Stanley Park in Blackpool, for ice cream, scooting and feeding the ducks.
We had a lovely morning really but as always for us in public places we had to cope with Toby’s massive fear of dogs. He did get a bit better for a while but in the last few weeks we have gone back to proper tears and panic whenever he sees a dog, and if one happens to bark near him we’re on for a full meltdown.
We do our best to reassure him that he’s safe, that the dogs are on leads or being controlled by their owners but he is genuinely terrified. Last week we tried something new to try and keep him calm and stop the panic – when we see a dog coming we start counting slowly and calmly, and keep counting until we have passed and can’t see the dog any more. This is helping to a point but like I said, if a dog actually barks then we will be back to square one. If anyone has any ideas how we can help Toby overcome his fear then please do let me know. I’m not bothered if he still doesn’t like dogs (neither do I really) but I just want to help him stop being so scared.
He might have been scared but he still looked like a dude though…
Anyway, after we’d negociated a lot of the dogs that were near the cafe we made our way down to the boating lake to feed the ducks and swans. We actually remembered to bring bird seed this time too. Gabe loves ducks – and he’s actually started saying duck now rather than just quack quack! He was so excited when they all came over after he’d thrown the seed. I reckon if we’d had a big enough tub he would have stood there all day…
Dogs can be very scary. I can relate Toby. Hopefully his fears will ease up over time.
Loving their happy faces!!!
Gorgeous photos. My brother is scared of dogs after an incident when he was little. It’s a really hard one to overcome and I’m sorry I have no tips x #Livingarrows
I used to be scared of dogs as a child thanks to a yappy terrier which nipped at me. I love them now. I think a lot of the time children just need to meet them in a safe environment, with dogs that are really gentle and patient with children to see that they don’t always jump up.
Oh bless him. I used to be scared of dogs too and even now am not a big fan if I don’t know them, but I do love them when I get to know them. I’d even like a dog of my own one day, but I just think it’s different when you know them. I think sometimes it is fear of the unknown. Do you have any friends with friendly dogs he could get to know? Especially friends with kids who are comfortable around dogs? Or even a puppy? Maybe that might feel less daunting? I’m sure it will get better over time. Gorgeous pics as always! x #LivingArrows
As a life long dog lover, its really interesting for me to read this perspective, Hopefully, you can find the right dog to help out!
Good luck!