One in three children believed to be scared of dogs

Yorkshire Terrier - editorial image Credit: Press Association

A new survey by the Dogs Trust reveals that more than a third of parents in Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire believe their children to be scared of dogs.

Around a quarter of parents say the fear affects their child's daily life, according to the figures.

The charity says the most common reaction when a child sees a dog is to avoid a public area, run away, hide or scream. But they add that this can confuse dogs - with many assuming this behaviour actually means it's play time.

In response to the figures, the Dogs Trust is launching its 'Managing Fear of Dogs' project, running workshops to manage children's fear and teach them how to stay calm.

The Dogs Trust is launching a project to help people manage their fear of dogs Credit: Press Association

How to help your child manage their fear - tips from the Dogs Trust

  • · Sit down and talk to your child about their worries

  • · Watch films and read books where the leading star is a dog

  • · Explain that not all dogs are the same. Just because one dog might be badly behaved doesn't mean all are

  • · If the fear is severe, speak to a psychologist