When we meet new people, it is very difficult to introduce ourselves. They may or may not like us, the first impression is usually the last impression, and then there are many other problems as well. All of these problems are compounded when we have to meet anyone who does not know about our fear of dogs. So what does one do when they are in the company of people who are unaware of the fear of dogs, or cynophobia, that we suffer from. Here are some simple tips for people who fear dogs. These are not meant to be followed exactly. Rather it is the spirit of these simple techniques that one should inculcate, instead of trying to follow them to the letter.

Keep Silent

The first thing that you can do is to keep silent about this. Talking about one’s phobias is something that should occur only when one is in the company of close friends, and it should be done with care. So if you are in the company of strangers or people that you have just met, then there is no need to mention that you are suffering from the fear of dogs. This will only lead to you becoming the topic of discussion for all the wrong reasons. So make sure that you are not the topic of the discussion just because you suffer from a fear of dogs.

Phobia is not a handicap

Another simple thing that you can do, if you have to mention your fear, is to make sure that you mention it as a condition, not as a mental handicap. Many people tend to think of all phobias, like mysophobia, or the fear of germs, as something of a mental handicap that will leave a person incapable of going about their day to day life. Therefore it is important to introduce your phobia, not as something that makes you lose interest in your daily life, but rather as something that is just a minor hurdle.

Do not paint a fearful picture

When you are talking to people who are in your company, you should make sure that you are not going to make them fearful of something. This applies to all kinds of phobias, but the fear of dogs, in particular, are prone to this kind of treatment. So for example, if you are going to mention it to friends, they will focus on the panic attacks, and they will get the mental image of an epileptic person in their minds. You have to talk to them in a manner that makes sure that the image they take away is not that of a deranged epileptic.

Phobias do not make you a mental patient

When there are people talking about something that they have heard about for the first time, they tend to create an image in their own minds. So if you are talking with people who have never heard about the fear of dogs, then they will get a mental image of a person who freezes when they as much as see a dog on the television screen or in an emoji. Although there may have been cases like these, this is not the everyday routine of anyone suffering from this condition. So make sure you are not putting the wrong ideas in their heads.

Do not be ashamed

Last but not least, you should be open about your phobia if you do talk about it. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being fearful of dogs. Various studies have suggested that at our subconscious level, we humans are fearful of one thing or another. So the fear of dogs is not something that is unique, rather it is present in one form or another in all people. While some have it in such a minuscule amount that it barely registers, others have it in larger doses.

So, to conclude, make sure that you are open and frank in discussing your phobia, but only with people who are near and dear to you. Try to make sure that you are not the center of attention for the wrong reasons.