Have you ever been excited to see a dog in public, only to realize that not everyone shares that excitement? For some people, dogs are not a source of joy. They're a source of fear. So today I want to talk about why some people are genuinely afraid of dogs and why those fears are valid, and what that means to us as responsible dog owners when we're out in public. So I recently read about a college student whose professor wanted to bring his dog to class and she liked the idea, except if the dog looked like the one that had attacked her in the past, and that detail matters. She wasn't against dogs in general, but past trauma had tied her fear to a certain type of dog, and that's not uncommon.

A single bad experience, whether it's a bite or being knocked down or even just a scary encounter, can leave someone with lasting anxiety, and sometimes that anxiety gets tied to a breed or a size or color or even just the way the dog moves. Past experiences stick. One frightening moment with a dog can feel just as vivid years later as the day it happened, and phobias are real. For some people, fear of dogs goes beyond nervousness and into a true phobia complete with panic symptoms. Not everyone grew up with dogs and if you didn't have a positive experience as a child, dogs may feel unpredictable or unsafe and we also tend to make assumptions. Dog lovers often think who wouldn't want to pet my dog? But that assumption ignores the lived experience of others.

So here's what we can do as dog owners. Keep your dog leashed and at your side when you're in public. Keep your dog leashed and at your side when you're in public. Even the friendliest dog should not be allowed to walk up to strangers on their own and never let your dog invade someone else's space unless that person clearly invites it. The default should always be no contact unless invited, and if someone looks uncomfortable, maybe they step aside or cross the street or avoid eye contact. Give them even more room that's respect, not rejection and practice calm walking skills so your dog can pass by people without pulling or lunging or trying to greet. Neutral, polite behavior is the goal. And think about joggers and bikes and strollers. These people are often moving quickly and a sudden approach from a dog can feel threatening, even dangerous. So step aside, shorten your leash, create space so they can pass without worry, and model good etiquette yourself. Show others that responsible dog owners prioritize both the dog's needs and the comfort of the people around them.