Afraid of Dogs (but not "Da Dawg")

robynlesley

My cousin invited DH, Aaron and I for brunch yesterday (she's 34 with a 2 year old and a nearly 6 year old). My aunt and uncle were coming too.  I was thinking it was good my cousin invited us, since my aunt and uncle have 3 dogs. All are sweet, but the younger two (a Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle mix) are VERY energetic (the Bichon Frise is more mellow).

So we get there around 10:30 am and Aaron plays nicely with my cousin's son, Tyler (2). Her daughter is painfully shy and didn't speak once while we were there (and she's met us many times now). But the boys were having fun until...

My aunt and uncle arrived?with all 3 dogs of course. Tommy, the Poodle mix (maybe 25 lb), came running down the stairs to the play room and ran up to Aaron and put his paws on him and licked him  on the face.

That was the end of it.  Aaron FREAKED! He was sobbing and crying. And then Mackenzie (the Wheaten) came and she also licked him and he would not let go of my DH,  Brunch was rough because he was crying so hard. My aunt and uncle almost didn't get to see him happy because of the dogs.

My aunt thought it would be OK to bring them since we have our dog, Casey. But apparently Aaron only likes HIS dog?THE dog (Da Dawg). He was not into the others. Before we left, he was less freaked, but not so thrilled. Yet when we got home, he was trying to hug Casey.

Now I know I need to be more cautious with new dogs for him (and I always used common sense). He likes dogs but not if they come up to him or lick him.

daisydana

Awww... Poor Aaron. I guess it's understandable. How strange though - your normally happy little guy, crying and being so freaked. Maybe get a book with doggies in it so that his fear doesn't morph into something bigger? Hopefully it was just a one time thing though.

robynlesley

I guess it was because Tommy ran up and licked him on the mouth (eeew! I don't let Casey do that).  Aaron loves dogs otherwise. Or at least pictures of them. He has lots of dog books and he'll point out dogs he sees when we're out on a walk.

He's a little nervous around my brother's dogs (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) but is getting less so. It's like HIS dog is OK but if another dog gets too close, he gets worried.

YaraC

Aww, bless his heart. Perhaps with a more gradual introduction he would be OK. That kind of enthusiastic greeting, I guess, could be a little intimidating for a toddler.

superaunt

awww poor Aaron! honestly, if that happened to me, I think I would've reacted the same way! ; )

SFAug07

Poor Aaron! I totally understand it though, I wouldn't want to be licked on the mouth by a dog (strange or otherwise) either.

We don't have pets but Sarah loves dogs - but none has ever licked her on the mouth. Licking on the hands is okay for her.

lynnshey

Poor little guy - but I can totally see where he is coming from.  I'm not a big fan of dogs running up and licking me either.  You never know where their tongues have been - gross!

I am glad to hear he was doing better by the time he left.  How did he react to the Bishon Frise?  I was curious if he was more attracted to that one since it was more mellow.

stever

That would be scary. As someone who has been a non-dog person since birth, I can see how he could get used to Casey and be freaked by other dogs.

We had a cat when I was born then, when I was 3 or 4, my parents got me a puppy because they were thinking all kids need puppies. The poor little thing scared the crap out of me and we had to give it away

A few years later we did adopt an older, much mellower dog and I loved him. 

carladillon

Aw...poor little guy!  I think I kinda undrestand though.  We do not have dogs, and Delaney has only been exposed to dogs from a distance (strangers, when we're out walking) and has always loved them.  My MIL/FIL and BIL each have a dog.  We went up to visit for Thanksgiving and she first met MIL/FIL's dog - a border collie.  She is such a GOOD dog - laid back and let D tackle her and she licked her jut a little bit.  THEN...there is BIL's dog....he is a boxer.  Beautiful, sweet guy - but LOVES to lick and he's got a big tongue!  He was very good w/D, but licked her ALL OVER HER FACE.  I expected her to scream - but she laughed and laughed.  But - when he would come back, she would hide her face from him (how quickly they learn.....).  However, my nephew - who turned 2 in June - is afraid of the boxer, because of the licking.  And he has a dog at home as well (a schnauzer), so he's been exposed to dogs before.

I think it might just be the "aggressiveness" of the loving the doggies were showing that took Aaron by surprise.  Hopefully next time you can help prepare him or he'll be a little more comfortable!

rsd12

Totally normal though!  My kids were afraid of other dogs (smaller ones especially) & no problem with our big dog. 

Now Keegan cracks me up.. because our dog even freaks him out... seriously freaking out last night when he went to get a toy next to Bosco's dog bed... guess he forgot the dog was there & literally starting screaching & crying & could not stop.  Bosco did not even move, well maybe he lifted his eyes to look at what Keegan was doing.  The same dog that he feeds his meals too ; )

peeper72

Poor Aaron The natural exhuberance of a dog can be too much for lots of people - toddlers and adults included. Next time you'll all be prepared so maybe he'll be more receptive after a slow introduction rather than a dog-love ambush!

KristelRobin

peeper72:

Poor Aaron The natural exhuberance of a dog can be too much for lots of people - toddlers and adults included. Next time you'll all be prepared so maybe he'll be more receptive after a slow introduction rather than a dog-love ambush!

So true!  And you know, Keira is afraid of little dogs and puppies of any kind, because they tend to jump on little kids and lick them in the face.  But a (mature) Great Dane or Mastiff?  She loves them!  So it may be that Aaron just needs to be around mellower dogs.