Hey there,
I feel that. I used to be afraid of dogs too. Sometimes it’s hard for people to see that something so furry and seemingly cute-looking could ever be scary to someone! But, it’s definitely not helpful when your friends aren’t willing to help you out with your fear of dogs because it makes it harder for you to have some support to start off with. It also puts a bit of a limit on where you can hang out with your friends if they aren’t willing to compromise on where they bring their dog.
You mentioned that you talked to one friend about it. Have you talked to others about it too? Different people might have different levels of understanding for your fear of dogs and sometimes you can’t get everyone to see your point of view.
If this fear becomes too debilitating and there seems to be no end, you always have the option to contact a specialist that may be able to help you with desensitization/exposure techniques. Or, you can always join a support group in-person/online where you might find people who understand the situation. A really good place to find this information would be to either text, call, or email 211 since they are Alberta’s resource line.
Sometimes there really doesn’t seem like there is some one who gets it and it might seem daunting to go out and find supports. But, you don’t have to feel alone. You can always contact ConnecTeen and we can talk it through and give you a space to express how you’ve been feeling. Our lines are open from 3pm-10pm on weekdays and 12pm-10pm on weekends. You can reach us through our phone number at 403-264-8336, our text line at 587-333-2724, email us at connecteen@distresscentre.com or chat with us through our online website.
ConnecTeen
