March 24, 2026, 11:37 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Not everyone likes dogs—some are even afraid of them. Yet, these very people seem to magically attract our four-legged friends. Is it all just imagination? No, there’s actually something to it, as dog trainer Katharina Marioth reveals in an interview with PETBOOK.
Dog owners of sociable or more intrusive dogs know the situation: You meet a neighbor or friends on the street, and the dog runs straight to the person who is afraid of dogs. Often, people who don’t like dogs seem to magically attract the animals—but why is that? PETBOOK asked dog trainer and canine behavior expert Katharina Marioth.
“The Dog Feels Invited”
PETBOOK: Katharina, why are dogs often drawn to people who don’t like animals or are even afraid of dogs?
Katharina Marioth: “It’s due to our body language. People who are afraid watch dogs very closely. They stare at them to control the situation, similar to how one might with spiders when afraid. For the dog, this means: ‘You’re addressing me, you want contact.’ The dog feels invited.”
So, from a dog’s perspective, is eye contact more of an invitation than a warning signal? “Exactly. Dogs interpret our eye contact as initiating a conversation. If we then back away or make ourselves small—perhaps out of insecurity—the dog doesn’t see it as a defense but as an invitation: ‘Ah, someone wants contact.’”
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“Dogs Can Actually Smell Our Fear”
What can someone who is afraid of dogs do to attract less attention?
“Ideally, avoid eye contact and present yourself a bit more upright and confident. If you become fidgety, breathe hectically, raise your hands, or generally show stress, you’re sending additional body language signals—which dogs interpret not as fear but as emotional excitement or a call for help. And then they come even closer to ‘comfort’ you.”
It’s often said that dogs can smell fear or stress. Is that true?
“Yes, it’s scientifically proven. Dogs can perceive hormonal changes, such as cortisol or adrenaline. And in the tiniest concentrations, long before we show physical signs of stress. This is no longer body language but an olfactory process. Dogs can actually smell our fear.”
Someone Is Afraid of Dogs? Here’s How to Act as an Owner
Even if you think your dog is wonderful and assure others, “He won’t hurt you”—some people are afraid of dogs. As a dog owner, you must respect that. To prevent uncomfortable situations, you shouldn’t automatically allow your dog to run up to everyone. Ask first if contact is desired.
If it’s known that neighbors or family members are afraid of the dog, keep him on a leash and initially prevent contact. This should only happen when:
- the person who is afraid wants it themselves, and
- the dog is in a calm, relaxed state.