Imagine going from trembling at the sight of a dog to becoming an unabashed dog enthusiast. That was my journey. Join me as I share about overcoming fear and transformed it into an unbreakable bond with my dog Capri.

The Beginnings of Overcoming My Fear

It all started because I’d been bitten by two dogs, once at a young age and again in my mid-20s. My first dog bite was when I was around 5 years old at my great aunt’s house during Christmas. I was trying to get to the basement, and as I attempted to walk around the dog, it bit my toe. That’s when my fear of dogs began. In my mid-20s, I went to a friend’s house about 1.5 hours away.

Unbeknownst to me, the house I was staying at had a dog that had bitten six other people before me. I was told, ‘Don’t run away from the dog, and you’ll be fine.’ Well, let me tell you, I wasn’t okay. I was bitten in the shin while playing charades. It drew blood, left a bruise, and I still have a scar on my shin from it today.

dog bite which started being fearful of dogs. But people can change this is the story of overcoming fear,

Why I Didn’t Like Dogs

So why am I fearful of dogs? Because of those instances. The fact that they are unpredictable, they bite, lick, leave dog hair everywhere, jump, and drool were all reasons I didn’t like dogs. I never grew up around dogs; my family didn’t own one, and none of my friends had them, so I wasn’t around dogs often, and when I was, I always kept my distance.

The Turning Point- Overcoming My Fear

When did things start changing?

I’ve worked in the healthcare field for the last 11 years, working with residents in memory care and inpatient/residential behavioral health. During those 11 years, I’ve observed pet therapy once a week. Still, during those weekly pet therapy visits, I didn’t interact with the dogs. But there was one therapy dog named Riley, a well-behaved Wheaten Terrier, that was my favorite.

The Unexpected Decision

When my cousin’s in-laws had puppies for sale, my cousin kept asking me if I wanted one. I said, ‘Hell no, I’m scared of dogs.’ There was no way I could have a puppy; I wouldn’t even know where to start. I worked 3 jobs sometimes doing overnights from 9 pm till 3 pm the following day, and I didn’t have time for a dog. Again, I had ZERO clue how to have a dog.

I did A LOT of reading, and some of the information I followed, and some other stuff I did not. But guess what? I got the dog, and I made it work. I had A LOT of help from my family letting her out while I was working those long shifts, and I couldn’t have a dog without their help.

Black goldendoodle sitting with a lake behind them looking all cute.

The Arrival of Capri

On May 28th, 2021, Capri was born, and I picked her up in late June. That’s when we became a family, and she has brought so much joy to my life that I didn’t know I was missing.

The Pros List Wins

I made a pros and cons list about getting a dog, and the pros list ended up winning. Here are some of my winning reasons:

I was living alone during COVID, so I thought, ‘Why not get a dog to come home to every day? I won’t be lonely anymore if I have a dog.’
Capri is a Mini Goldendoodle, known to be great therapy dogs with a wonderful temperament, trainability, and friendliness toward people.
Having a dog encouraged me to get out of my house and be more active. Now we go on walks, hiking, swimming, kayaking, biking, visit dog parks, enjoy boat rides, and even visit coffee shops together.
Capri is hypoallergenic, which means she doesn’t shed, and this was a MUST for me. I can’t stand dog hair being everywhere.
Capri has had a positive impact on my mental health. On days when I don’t want to do anything, she forces me to get up and engage with the world.
The fact that I could get my dog from a family member was a huge bonus, and my cousin has Capri’s brother, Hunter. Capri even spent a week with her brother while I was on vacation, and I’m pretty sure she had the best time!

A Life Transformed By Overcoming Fear

Now I can’t imagine my life without her. WHO AM I? If only you knew who I was before and after my dog, you’d be shocked.

Owner and dog at puppy training class on the last day. — Puppy Class was a great way to introduce Capri to other dogs and teach me how to interact with her.

Dog and owner at basic manners dog training class proving people can overcome fear. — Basic Manners 1 focused on teaching sit, stay, wait, and loose leash walking. We still have work to do!

Advice for Those Considering a Dog

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, I would recommend researching the breed so you know what you’re getting yourself into. I bought two books to read everything I could about training and what to expect. I wanted to know EXACTLY what I was getting myself into before saying yes. Taking dog training classes was a great way for me to understand how to interact with my dog, and I highly recommend them. Make sure to have supportive family members who are willing to help when needed.

The Ultimate Companion

Capri’s not just my pet; she’s my confidant, my joy, and the fearless companion who helped me conquer my fears. My story of overcoming fear is proof that people can change. I am eternally grateful for the love she brought into my life. If I can change, so can you!

-Cara & Capri

The Dog Capri

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