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Step 1
Respect the fear. It's perfectly natural for a small child to be afraid of a big dog. Don't belittle your child's fears or diminish an instinct for self-preservation. Recognize that an animal larger than your child is likely to be looked on as scary.
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Step 2
Teach the safe way to approach a dog. Teach the child to first ask the owner for permission. Let the dog sniff the child's hand, and then he can gently pet the dog. Most owners will explain where their dogs like to be petted.
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Step 3
Expose your child to dogs in a safe environment. Make sure you are with her for each interaction, whenever possible. Dogs should be leashed, with an owner and clearly friendly before your child interacts with them. Avoid jumping, barking or unleashed dogs until your child has moved through this phase and is more comfortable with canines.
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Step 4
Exemplify correct behavior. Make sure you're not just standing back. Get involved with the process by talking to the owner, letting the dog sniff your hand and petting the dog yourself. If your child sees you with the dog, she's more likely to follow your example.
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Step 5
Acknowledge each step of improvement. Each tiny step is worth noting and celebrating. Perhaps it was that your child didn't need to be picked up when he saw a dog or perhpas he let the dog sniff his hand. Positive reinforcement goes a long way to helping your child lose his fear of dogs.
