Page 203 - The Intentional Parent

My fifteen-month-old was such a friendly, outgoing baby, but now she seems to have a negative reaction to almost anyone but me. Her fearfulness is especially distressing to her grandparents, who want to interact with her; she just wants nothing to do with them. Is there anything wrong with her?
Kids go through two phases of separation anxiety—one phase occurs at around six to eight months, when infants show very clear preferences for their mothers or primary caregivers. The second phase, which is sometimes called stranger anxiety, peaks right around fourteen to eighteen months, and then declines from there. Until then, grandma and grandpa should be just a little bit more low-key. The good times are right around the corner.
FEAR OF ANIMALS
We would like to get a dog as a family pet, but our toddler is absolutely terrified of animals. To our knowledge she's never been bitten or chased by an animal, so her behavior is hard to understand. Are there any ways we can get her used to the idea of having a dog around the house?
With a little work and reassurance you should have no trouble at all. Perhaps she was frightened by the sound of a barking dog or by a cartoon characterization of a dog. Sometimes a single frightening experience or perception can become firmly rooted in a child's mind.
You will need to spend some time with some friendly-looking stuffed animals. Use the animals as part of your play sessions, first as minor characters, then as more central characters. Try to get your child to sleep near or with the stuffed animal. Give it a name, talk to it, and make believe you are feeding it and taking care of it. Supplement your activity with a few stories or cartoons
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 203