Fear of Dogs

Definition

Fear of dogs refers to an irrational and persistent fear or phobia of dogs. It is often triggered by a traumatic experience, such as being bitten by a dog.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning:

Classical conditioning is when an individual learns to associate two stimuli together through repeated pairings. In this case, the person has associated the traumatic experience (being bitten) with dogs in general.

Phobia:

A phobia refers to an intense and irrational fear or aversion towards specific objects or situations. In this case, the fear of dogs is categorized as a specific phobia.

Traumatic Experience:

A traumatic experience involves an event that causes distressing emotions and can have long-lasting effects on individuals. Being bitten by a dog is considered a traumatic experience in this context.