Help for Children Who Are Frightened of Dogs in Kent
Gentle, structured support to help children understand dogs and build their confidence gradually, without pressure and at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
When a fear of dogs begins to affect everyday life
A fear of dogs can have a much wider impact on a child and their family than other people may realise. A walk through the park, visiting friends, attending a family gathering or simply passing a dog in the street can become a source of anxiety.
As a parent or carer, it can be difficult to know how best to help. You may find yourself changing plans, checking whether dogs will be present or trying to offer reassurance that doesn’t seem to make things easier.
The aim isn’t for your child to love dogs or feel that they have to touch one. It is to help them understand dogs better and develop practical strategies that help them feel safer and more in control.
With gentle, structured support at their own pace, everyday encounters with dogs can begin to feel less overwhelming for your child and for the whole family.
The Overcoming a Fear of Dogs Programme
Ten individual sessions: £250
A gentle, structured programme designed to help your child understand dogs, develop practical coping strategies and build their confidence gradually.
Getting ready together
An initial telephone conversation and questionnaire with you, plus access to the Kids Around Dogs Language of Dogs webinar.
Seven short online sessions
Individual sessions of around 15–20 minutes, using pictures, activities and age-appropriate discussion to help your child understand canine body language and develop practical strategies.
Three gentle in-person sessions
Short sessions with a carefully selected and assessed dog, held near your child’s home or at another agreed, familiar location in Kent. Your child will never be pressured to touch the dog or move closer than feels comfortable.
Guidance, activities and resources
A summary after each online session, simple activities to practise together, supporting resources and personalised ways to recognise progress. Your child will also receive a certificate and Kids Around Dogs pin on completion.
Sessions take place weekly, with a limited number of Saturday appointments available. Everything listed above is included in the programme price.
Is this programme right for your child?
This programme may be a good fit if:
Your child is aged four or above and feels worried, frightened or overwhelmed around dogs.
Their fear is beginning to affect walks, visits, family activities or other parts of everyday life.
You want them to receive gentle, structured support without being pushed into interacting with a dog before they are ready.
You’d like your child to understand canine body language and learn practical strategies that help them feel safer.
You’re able to support them during the weekly sessions and encourage the short activities between them.
You live in Kent and can take part in the final three sessions at a familiar, agreed location.
Your child doesn’t need to want to stroke a dog, own a dog or feel ready for an in-person meeting when the programme begins. We’ll build towards the final sessions gradually and at a pace that respects their individual needs.
Programme Details
WHERE:
The first seven sessions take place online. The final three sessions are held near your child’s home or at another agreed, familiar location in Kent.
WHEN:
Sessions take place weekly and the programme usually runs for approximately ten weeks. Weekday sessions are available, with a limited number of Saturday appointments.
COST:
£250 for the complete ten-session programme. Everything described above is included.
Still wondering whether the programme is right for your child?
Get in touch to tell me a little about your child, their fear of dogs and how it is affecting everyday life. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, and we can consider together whether the programme feels like an appropriate next step.
Trauma Informed Professional
DBS Checked
Kids Around Dogs Approved Professional
Qualified Teacher
How The Programme Works:
Get In touch
Tell me a little about your child and how their fear of dogs is affecting them. We can then decide whether the programme feels like the right fit.
01
Begin Online
The first seven weekly sessions take place online, helping your child learn about dogs and build confidence from the safety of home.
02
Meet a dog Gently
The final three sessions take place in person with a carefully selected dog, always at your child’s pace and without pressure to approach or touch them.
03
A little about me:
I’m a mum, a qualified teacher and an Associate Clinical Animal Behaviourist, so this programme brings together two areas that are very close to my heart: supporting children and understanding dogs.
I spent 14 years working as a teacher and hold a PGCE. This experience helps me explain things in an engaging, age-appropriate way, recognise when a child needs more time and adapt my approach without making them feel under pressure.
I’m also a Kids Around Dogs Approved Professional, DBS checked and a Trauma-Informed Professional. I have completed specialist KAD training in Working with Neurodivergent Children and Their Dogs.
My approach is always gentle, flexible and led by the individual child. Sessions can be tailored around your child’s communication, sensory and processing needs, so they can take part in a way that feels comfortable and accessible to them. There is no pressure to move more quickly than they are ready for, and parents or carers are supported and involved throughout.
The comfort, welfare and safety of both your child and the dog will remain at the heart of every session.
Read about my KAD work in Dogs Today Magazine
FAQs
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The programme is available for children aged four and above. Sessions are adapted to suit your child’s age, communication, confidence and individual needs.
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Yes! I have completed specialist Kids Around Dogs training in Working with Neurodivergent Children and Their Dogs.
Every child is different, so I’ll take time to understand your child’s individual needs and adapt my communication, activities and expectations accordingly. This may include considering sensory needs, allowing additional processing time and finding ways for your child to participate that feel comfortable and accessible to them.
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The programme consists of ten weekly sessions and usually runs over approximately ten weeks. Each session lasts around 15–20 minutes, helping your child remain engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
Sessions are available during the week, with a limited number of Saturday appointments also offered.
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Yes. A parent or carer must be present for every online and in-person session.
Your involvement is an important part of the programme. It helps you understand what your child is learning, support the activities between sessions and reinforce the practical strategies in everyday situations.
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No. Your child doesn’t need to live with or have regular access to a dog.
The first seven sessions take place online using carefully chosen pictures, videos and activities. The final three sessions involve meeting a suitable, carefully assessed dog provided as part of the programme.
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No. Your child will never be required to touch the dog, hold the lead or move closer than feels comfortable.
The aim is not to make children love dogs or persuade them to interact physically. It is to help them understand dogs, feel safer around them and develop practical strategies for everyday encounters. All progress is led by your child’s comfort level.
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Any dog involved in the programme is carefully assessed for their health, temperament, training and comfort around children.
The dog’s welfare matters just as much as your child’s. Neither will be placed under pressure, and their communication and choices will be respected throughout each meeting.
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Progress will look different for every child. Their age, experiences, individual needs, level of fear and opportunities to practise between sessions can all influence how they respond.
I can’t promise that your child will become completely comfortable around every dog. The aim is for them to develop a better understanding of dogs, learn strategies that help them feel safer and gradually become more confident when encountering dogs in everyday life.
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This is an educational Kids Around Dogs programme rather than psychological therapy. It incorporates simple, age-appropriate cognitive behavioural techniques to help children explore and gradually change some of the thoughts associated with their fear.
It is not a replacement for support from a qualified medical or mental health professional. If your child’s fear is severe, linked to a traumatic experience or affecting their wellbeing more widely, we can discuss whether additional professional support may be appropriate.
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Yes. The online sessions are recorded so I can review my delivery of the Kids Around Dogs protocol and support my continuing professional development.
Access to the recordings is restricted to me. They will never be published, used for marketing or shared with other parties. Recordings are stored securely for three months after the programme finishes and are then permanently deleted.
You’ll receive full information about the recordings beforehand, and written parent or carer consent will be obtained before the programme begins.
Help your child take the next step at their own pace
Your child doesn’t need to face their fear alone or be pushed into an interaction before they feel ready. With gentle, structured support, they can begin to understand dogs better, develop practical coping strategies and feel more confident in everyday situations.
The first step is to book a free discovery call or complete my contact form if you would prefer to explain your child’s needs in writing. We can discuss what is happening, answer your questions and consider whether the programme is the right fit for your child.