My daughter is 13 months old. We have a black lab for a pet. Our dog is gated, and only allowed in certain parts of the house (because of shedding and because she is a little hyper). My daughter really likes the dog, but rarely gets too close to her (she has petted her, been licked by her in the past). My question is whenever she is around any other dog, she gags and sometimes even throws up. Im wondering why this would be. She is ovbiously not allergic to dogs, and generally seems to like them. Her grandparents have dogs and when she is around them (even when they are in the other room) just looking at them makes her gag. She has never gagged when looking/touching our dog, so why would she do this with other dogs? She has puked twice, at two different homes of people that have dogs (I was holding her both of these times and she wasn't very close to them). She does not seem the least bit frightened by them. Any ideas of why this may be? Any advice is appreciated!
I have allergys and its usually not the dog that gets mine started its the things the dogs roll in! Good luck!!
I have to agree about the possibility of smelly dogs. I love dogs and have a dog. I also have a son that has a VERY strong gag reflex and ANYTHING can set it off, smells, food/liquid tetures, mucus from a cold. I would check that first. Good luck!!
I'm a life long dog owner and my first thought was fear or anxiety that she can't express, but you said she doesn't seem like she's afraid of them. What about smells? Is she sensitive to smells? Some dogs can be smelly and maybe she's used to the smell of your dog, but not other dogs. We have an almost 17-year-old dog who is too old for the anesthesia to have his teeth cleaned and his breath smells HORRIBLE. Although that wouldn't explain why looking at them causes her to gag. I might still explore the fear possibility even though you think she doesn't seem visibly afraid. She might be internalizing it, hence the gagging and vomiting. Maybe she needs more gradual conditioning around dogs other than your own. Good luck.
I would have her allergy tested just to be safe. When I had my second son tested, we discoverd he was allergic to eggs, even though we were wondering about cats. Some pediatricians don't offer, due to insurance pressures etc. But I would insist and while you're at it, do the entire battery (mold, ragweed, foods etc).
Good luck.
