What do I do If i'm seriously scared of dogs, and my neighbors dogs' chase me?!!!!!!!!!!! Please read details.

Question

Help!!!!!! I have a neighbor with dogs. She has tried to teach me not to be afraid, but I still am!!!!! She lets her dogs run amuck and they are not on a leash. I am so scared, what can I do?!!!!! I know that I shouldn't run or scream, but I can't help it. 3 days ago, she had one of her dogs not on a leash, and it barked at me so loud and started running that I screamed on the top of my lungs and ran like crazy!!!!!! I NEED HELP!!!! The one whose advice helps the most will get the 10 points for best answer. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

First of all dogs sense fear. Second of all if that person cared about her dogs she would make sure they were leashed or fenced in. Check into your local leash laws. Report her. You shouldn't have to live in fear. She shouldn't be trying to teach you not to be afraid. She should be putting them on leashes.

Answer 2

There isn't anything wrong with being afraid of dogs. Each person has their own fears and it sounds like you have every right to really be fearful of your neighbors dogs. I'm not aware of anywhere that doesn't have a leash law when a dog is outside of a fenced in yard. You should feel save in your neighborhood. I would report the owner for allowing their dog(s) to run around w/out a leash and having control of the dog(s). I am an owner of 3 dogs. 2 Pitbulls and a Cocker Spaniel. My dogs spend most of their time inside but do go outside in the fenced back yard which also has a second invisible fence. Dogs that run around are the ones then end up hurting someone so please take the appropriate action now before it's too late. Good luck

Answer 3

Do NOT act scared towards a dog. The dog is a pack animal, and it is trying to assert it's dominance over you. If you act all weak, thing it will walk all over. also DO NOT RUN. They say not to run because dogs like to HUNT. This is the same for many animals, but especially dogs... if they see something running away and screaming bloody murder, they go after it like a meal, because that is exactly what their prey would do.



As for the owner.. you NEED to talk to that owner. Having any dog (even a "nice" dog... dogs can act totally different without their owner [the leader of the pack] watching over them and especiall if they are in a group.. they become a PACK!!) run amuck is DANGEROUS... for people, people's pets (especially cats!!!), wildlife, and of course the dog (it could get ran over, abused by sick people.. ect). This owner is being INCREDIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE!! Sure, sometimes my dogs accidentally get out of the fence by accident, but I don't LET them out. If they are out, they are always on a leash!! Have a serious talk with the owner, and if they do not comply call animal control.

Answer 4

Dogs are programed with a chase instinct. If you run they will chase you. DON'T RUN! If a dog comes up to you barking. Look away, don't move. If they continue there are a few things you can do to show that you mean no harm to them. Yawning is a pacifiying thing to dogs. Yawn really big and exagerated. Do not show fear. They can sense your aggitation. Never look a aggressive dog in the eye. Look away to the horizon. Pay no attention but don't move. If you run it will cause the dog to chase and bite. In extreme cases, curl up in a ball on the ground with your hands covering your neck and arms accross your face. let out little wimpers. This is what pups and submisive dogs do to siganl that they are smaller and weaker which means that they are no harm. If this is an extrem problem, inform the owner that if she does not take proper care of her dogs and has them on a leash you will call the athorities. If she doesn't listen, CALL THE ATHORITIES. There is no excuse for her behavior in this matter.

Answer 5

Call animal control if her dogs are running loose - that's against the law almost everywhere now.



Carry an open umbrella to keep the dogs away from you. Running and screaming are the ABSOLUTE worst things that you can do. That will make even a nice dog chase you and bark at you. See if you can find a counselor to help you with your phobia before you get seriously hurt.

Answer 6

As everyone else has said, this person is irresponsible for having her dogs off leash outside of her property. Call A/C and report her.



There are two products I suggest you buy - one is a spray called DirectStop. It is a citronella based spray that will scare the dog off if it is chasing you. You can usually buy this at pet stores or Wal-Mart. The second product is animal urine. Go to a hunting supply store. They usually sell various types of animal urine in a spray bottle (around me the most common is deer urine - the hunters scent their areas to attract the real animals so they can shoot them). Ask the people who work there which type of urine they carry is the stinkiest. Then whenever you see this person's dogs off leash you can spray them with urine. Maybe if the start coming home smelling like p**s then the woman will stop letting them wander all around.

Answer 7

first of all, you have every right to enjoy your property, if the dogs enter onto it then the neighbor needs to tie them up, if the dogs run beyond the owners property then you can contact the local government, they can tell you if she must have an electric fence or somthing to confine the dogs. second if you want to leardn to deal with and not be afraid of the dog then you need to ask your neighbor to tie the dogs up untill they get used to you and you get used to them. then when you are comfortable then you can ask the owner if she/he can show you the dogs while on a leash maybe this way once you have seen the dogs tied up and when you can get close to them without being afraid then she may be able to let the run free. just make sure that the dogs are not dangerous, they may not be to her but maybe so with anyone else.

Answer 8

First of all, only an irresponsible owner allows their dogs to run amuck. Loose dogs can get hurt, hit by vehicles, etc., they pick up parasites from the droppings of other animals and the ground cover they travel, and they might injure a person, child, or other animal (no matter how friendly they might appear).



You should thank her for attempting to teach you to be unafraid, but tell her it has not worked and you request that she restrain her dogs at all times. Show her my note if you wish. If this does not work, the only other option is to alert the authorities.

Answer 9

You should not have to feel afraid because your neighbour is lazy and an irresponsible dog owner. I would report her to the local council, or the relevent authorities in your area and put the onus on her to become responsible and have the dogs leashed when in a public area and put behind a secure fenced area.



You have the right to walk down the street without fears.

She is not doing you any favors, she is just being selfish and ignorant.

Good luck with your fear of dogs.

But if you want to beat your fear it should be in a controlled situation not out in the street!

Answer 10

ignore them act like there not even there if you don't bother the dog most likely the dog wont bother you. but they do need to be put on leashes or in a fence. its the law in most cities. in time the dog will learn to not come near you. when you show no attention to the dog the dog shows none to you. unless the dog has reason to hurt you it wont. but if it scares you that badly and i know what it feels like kuse i'm scared of labs. look at your local dog laws. if it says that they are to be on a leash or in a fence then tell your neighbor that. this will give them a warning to do so. if it gets to a point where you have no other chose call a cop. they will give them one warning to do so if they do not do so in so many days the dogs will be taken away from the people. to fix your fear of dogs i sagest going to your local shelter or to a friend that has a small dog and spending time with that dog. go from small dogs like puppies first then to little dogs then to a little bigger dogs then to a big dog. as you progress the dog will seem less scary. most dogs what nothing more than to be petted and played with. and at some point you might even get a dog of your own. i would suggest you get a little dog. they love to be with you and you can put them in your lap and pet them. good luck and if you have any more questions just ask me [e-mail] i have 4 dogs and have lived with them all my life. and i have been bitten 2 times. so i can help you to get over your fear of dogs i was scared of dogs as young girl then we got a little dog and now i have a full grown boxer and help to save dogs.

Answer 11

When you see the dog take a deep breath. Take several deep breaths in order to calm yourself down. If the area you live in has a leash law, your neighbor is obligated to follow that law. If she doesn't, then you can call the animal control department in your town on her, and they will come and get the dogs. I used to be very afraid of dogs too. Not sure how I got over it, but now I just ignore them, and they usually leave me alone.

Answer 12

Like jdc591 said dogs sense fear, When you run and scream the dogs either the dogs know your afraid or they think your playing with them. My advise is know your local leash laws and inform your neighbor about them. Let them know your not afraid of them (neighbors). Also carry a spray bottle with water, when they chase you give em a spray, dogs hate that. If your neighbor says something spray them with it. And say BAD neighbor...j/k

Answer 13

ok, u need to cope with these dogs. Try and play with really small dogs and eventually move up to bigger dogs. I know u said u have tried not to be afraid but think of it this way. when u see someone u say Hey! jus like a dog when a dog barks its says Hi! very loud and begins to run at you. BUT WAT EVER YOU DO DONT RUN! walk toward it and if the dog it trained say STAY! loud or SIT and u will feel like a boss and eventually wories will go away , worked for me. Good Luck

Answer 14

Well the first question is have you tried starting with small dogs?

Is there a law against having dogs run loose where you live? If so you can contact animal control you can also pick up some mace and use that!



Check with your police dept about the legality of using mace (pepper spray) where you live.

Answer 15

Never run from a dog - that triggers the prey pursuit. Stay still, like a tree, and look up at the sky. Put your hands in your pockets.

Tell animal control in your city that these dogs are always running loose and chasing you.

Answer 16

I agree with a couple of people here: I think you should tell your neighbor that you don't like dogs and you would really appreciate it if she chained her dogs and tell her that is she dosn't do that then you'll have no choice then to report her because so. I also think it would benifit you to conqure your fear of dogs. Start out with small dogs and work your way up. And like another person said, you shouldn't have to move b/c your neighbor dosn't respect your wishes to leash her dogs.

Answer 17

Running and screaming will only make a dog want to chase you more. but since you know what you shouldn't do and can't seem to follow through because of your fear... perhaps you could see a psychologist. My psychology professor has helped his clients break their fears of certain things before (example: a woman was scared of the color red). So.. I think you should find a psychologist to help with your dog phobia.

Answer 18

I don't know where you live, but most places have leash laws-- enough babys and even older children have been mauled and/or killed by thoughtless dog-owners... I'd contact your local police, explain the situation and file a complaint against the owner of those dogs! They're being extremely inconsiderate of your feelings and fears AND your right to walk down your street without fear of attack from anyone or anyTHING...

Answer 19

Maybe you should go over to your neighbour's house and start becoming friendly with the dogs. That is the only way to conquer your fear. Animals can sense certain vibes. Once they know that you are not afraid then they will not be as threatening. it is not an easy process but take it slowly. Tell your neighbour your problem and usually they will help you to start. Otherwise you can go to kennels and start learning how to handle dogs. The onlly way to conquer fear is to face it.



Good Luck.

Answer 20

First of all YOU do not need to get along with their out of control dogs. Call animal control every time you see them running loose. Get a camera and take pictures of them loose. Get a can of pepper spray and be prepared to us it as necessary. Do NOT run that makes you prey and lunch at the same time.

Again call animal every time they are loose. If animal will not do anything about them call your local TV station and ask them to do a story on these unruly dogs. I bet that would get animal control off their butts.

Answer 21

That's one thing about Dogs. They perceive fear exceptionally well in other animals (humans) in their quest for food. Instincts given them to reduce over populations of inferior species. It is gaurenteed that a dog will in fact attack if fear is perceived. Therefore one MUST over come all fear while being in and around dogs. You must have the confidence in yourself to conquer the dog. If a dog feels an over powering influence it will back down and show obedience. People who own dogs and train dogs know this. If you want to overcome your fear a good way to do this is: to raise your own dog from a puppy and experience everything that goes into owning and Loving a dog. Your fear comes from not being around dogs. Live with them and your fear will disappear.

Answer 22

this is no longer a matter of your fears but also a matter of your safty so ur scared of dogs and you may be for the rest of your life but thats ok casue in most states its illegal for dogs to be off a lease depending on sixe breed gender and additude it isnt fare for your neighbor to let her dogs continue to harass you which is exactly what theyre doing you need to ask her to put her dogs on a leash and if she says or makes you feel like you shouldnt be afread of the dogs and refuses to put a leash on them then you will have no vhoice but to call the police or animal control becasue they are technically threatin your life by making you scared of them she doesnt have them trained very well if they disrespect you by barking and its not nice of her to let them since she is your neighbor but your a nice neighbor not to have called in that her dogs are nto on a leash so iuf you ask her she might put them on a leash becasue its illegal for dogs to harass people and if you are scared of those dogs becasue of something they do (barking chasing you) then they are harassing you they are playin on your fears you could alson check to see the laws on pets in your state and community they could help alot you might even find that her dogs should be in a fence at all times

well i hope everything works out cause i myself am a little scared of dogs alot are vishous becasue of there training well i hope i was of help to you

Answer 23

there should be a leash law or some kind of law get with local law enforcement and see if they will fine her or remove the dog .If You get bit they will have to kill the dog to check for rabies

Answer 24

The dogs belong on a leash. I'd pepper spray them myself.

Answer 25

Have a hand full of dog treats.Try to feed the treats to the dogs.Try to call the dogs to you and feed them.Get to know the dogs,when you feed them the treats or dog food,let them smell you and get to know you.Don't let them know you're scared of them,they will intimidate you more.

Answer 26

Just take it up. Let the dog do as it pleases.

Answer 27

does the dog bite b/c you could always call the pound but then you would be the evil person who took away yur neighboors dog and they will never forgive you for it or you could get therapy to get over your probliem

Answer 28

Get yourself a dog that will protect you. Im not saying to fight it, but just get used to dogs. They'll be here forever

Answer 29

keep callin the dog pound and law, get a can of mace if its a big problem.

Answer 30

ok what you need to do is get some ear plugs and then you wont hear them ......then just dont look their way and youll be fine

Answer 31

I'd move out. FAST!

Answer 32

well ur a PU$$Y