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Originally Posted by hpfanatic  Thank you boopster and all you other guys/gals you suggested I get a lot more exposure to dogs of different breeds. It's how I planned on spending the next year or so before I get a dog. I WOULD NOT volunteer at a shelter. I visited some a couple of months ago when my friend was looking for a dog to adopt and I almost had an anxiety attack just sitting in the waiting room. Way too loud and just overall overwhelming.
I will take your suggestions for exposure. I have a couple friends with (well-behaved) small dogs so I will work on interacting with them.
When I do decide to get one, I will likely go through a rescue and let them know my problem so they know to suggest dogs that wouldn't make the phobia come back or get stronger.
BeyonceMomma23: thanks for highlighting just how much time and commitment Yorkies need. You're right. I would never get a dog if I knew I couldn't dedicate the appropriate time and energy to it. And sadly, I won't be able to be a stay-at-home mommy for a yorkie while working on a PhD lol.
Sadly, I think I have to cross Yorkies off my list  I wouldn't be doing the dog justice. Thank you all again for your very honest feedback.
I have to research other breeds you suggested for me like the Maltese and Pom. I don't know if those breeds have a website as useful and open as this one   |
Hello and welcome to YT
I too had a fear of dogs when I was younger~a HUGE fear so I can see where you are coming from . But I would bet that most people who know me from YT and even in my real world life don't have a clue~NOW. There are still some that I am slightly afraid of from childhood experiences (chi's and shepards how's that for a huge difference).
As I was sitting here reading over all of the suggestions and loving the idea that you want to really try to get over your fear of dog I had a thought. Shelters are not my favorite place to hang out either. They are a scary place to me as well.
But what I find fun is going to Petsmart or Petco on dog adoption days. There are local rescues that would love to have a young girls help on a Saturday afternoon with an adoption even. It would be a great experience for you to get acquainted with different breeds of dogs. The rescues try to take the most social fosters to the store that do the best with crowds and other animals. The dogs need to be walked while at the event and if you where willing to spend a few hours it might be a great way to get more exposure to what it would be like to be a pet owner.
I'm not saying that you need to adopt a rescue but you just might find the love of your life~you just never know.