How to overcome the fear of dogs (Cynophobia) by Mukta Kaskar

A picture of a girl running as fast she can just because she saw dogs. 

Another scene where a girl is standing in a corner hesitating to cross the patch of dogs. 

Imagining yourself in these situations right?

Me too , I was once scared of dogs too , the very thought of being with dogs or any dog which used to pass close by broke me into cold sweats and shiver and I would go any length to just avoid any confrontation with dogs.

I had an immense love for dogs as well as for every other animal on this planet but my fear of dogs kept me from cuddling these cute creatures .

I decided to get rid of my fear for dogs, it was a decision which changed my life , it gave a beautiful edge to my life. now I can cuddle any dogs I want although I don't have a pet , all dogs may they be from the street or at someone's house I consider all of them as my loved ones.

Getting over the fear is never easy, it needs to be a decision which comes from within and to overcome that fear, one should have a strong will and determination. How much ever you feel that you are failing and shaking on seeing dogs, you wont run away but get over the fear. 

Mine was a slow and long process , it took me almost a year and half to get over my fear of dogs.

My best friend got a puppy and so I started spending time with the puppy, every time the puppy ran to my side or attempted to lick me, fear jumped in my hear, initially I used to sit somewhere with legs folded where the puppy could not reach me, gradually I let my legs down , let him sniff me, I went for walks with him, we both got familiar with each other, when I felt a bit confident with the puppy,  I started spending time with an old Labrador in my colony, used to pet him little little. 

It was never easy for me and many times I just felt like quitting , just decided that it is okay to be scared of animals but my love for animals always drew me back. Very soon I was comfortable with Labradors and puppies. 

Mukta with Husky, the Indian puppy

The first time I picked up a puppy , it was a winning moment for me, never I had felt such satisfaction and happiness and of course the puppy was happy too on being loved. 

Picking up a puppy and hugging it gives a wonderful feeling, a feeling that you cannot love any one else more than the lovely angel in your arms. 

Now I had become comfortable with pet animals but what about the street dogs , I still had fear of them, I used to dread the moment of passing by any street dog and that's wen I decided to join Pet Owners and Animal Lovers to volunteer with them. Since a long time I wanted to work for animals and this was a golden opportunity and it was also a way I could learn and be more aware about dogs which helped me a lot to get over my fear of street dogs.

Mukta at the Old News Paper Collection Drive

My first drive with them was raddi drive where we pal members were collecting raddi to hep gain funds for sterilization of animals.

After the raddi drive, it was feeding time for dogs and on hearing that I grew nervous because I knew every street dog would come for food to us.

I just said a silent prayer and hoped for the best, other pal members took out Parle G biscuits and started calling the dogs and in a blink of moment many dogs came running out from every side and started following us, I was so scared that I stuck close to a member and was not ready to walk alone, the dogs sniffed at me but they were more interested in the food and I also realised that they were just curious about me and wanted to know me and that's why were getting close, as that day I had no guts to touch them, I was just silently observing them getting fed.

Mukta at her first drive with PAL

Soon I went for other events and few rescues too.

Pet owners and animal lovers was really shaping up my knowledge abt animals and making me aware.

I was still in the process of getting over the fear of dogs but my confidence had grown because I had grown to be more aware about them.

I had also started feeding dogs of a specific area, initially I was scared and went along with other members who are Bhaskar Chauhan and Surendra Singh Mehra. 

Bhaskar Chauhan

If a dog tried to jump on me then I would hide behind Bhaskar  and then keep distance from the dog. Bhaskar was always patient with me and kept encouraging me to get over my fear and soon I managed to start petting them , the amount of love that they gave me was priceless, you can never get so much love from anyone, other than a dog.

Mukta at an awareness event representing animals

Press Coverage of the event where Mukta raised awareness about animals by telling them her story

A dogs love for u is without expectations and is pure straight from the heart.

Almost a year has passed and  90% I have got over my fear , I have now made friends with the dogs from my college area as well as my residing area . 

It is a  great pleasure to walk with all dogs walking beside u. You feel as if you are the most important person walking, a certain secure feeling comes.

Somewhere still if an unknown dog approaches me suddenly,  there might be a fearful beat in my heart but now it is slowly diminishing .

Now my fear for dogs is no longer an obstacle, stopping me from cuddling the most lovable animals on earth.

Never let your fears for animals come in your way. Try to overcome them and then see the love which you receive from the animals and the way your life changes.

About the author, Mukta Kaskar - 

She is a Psychology student in Mumbai University and is a committed animal helper and life saver now.