What Is Emotion Regulation?

Take our Emotional Intelligence Test

Find a therapist near me

About 86% of dog owners say their pet has had a positive impact on their mental health.

Dogs do not overanalyze and they bring us back to basics.

It is deeply calming to be accepted without judgment.

If you’re on the fence about inviting a dog into your life, I hope what I share here helps tip the scales for you.

My relationship with dogs didn’t start off cuddly and soft. When I was 8 years old, I was bitten by a German Shepherd that had rabies. It was a deeply traumatic experience complete with hospitalization and a lot of shots. That experience stayed with me for years in the form of paralyzing fear. Yet, underneath that fear, I always wished I could get over the trauma of the bite and enjoy a dog as a pet.

After more than two decades of contemplation, I worked up the nerve to bring a yorkshire terrier puppy into my life. I chose a Yorkie because he felt small, manageable, and........

© Psychology Today