I married a woman who was deathly( as in get shakes lose mind)afraid of dogs due to childhood incident. My brother was breeding dobies while he still lived w/parents. She could not bear to even pet any dog.
We, everyone but her, went out one day, leaving her alone w/moma dobie.
While we were gone 'a man' came knocking at door. She answered, he asked to use phone, she said she'd call for him, went to close door and he put his foot in the door jam...
Moma dog had quetly been standing behind her, unnoticed. When he put his foot in door and his hand on door knob she put herself between them and did everything but bite him, he beat feet.
When we got home, they were both on the couch, and she was loving that dog.
We got puppie from her next litter, that dog helped me raise my kids. My daughter would go on dates..if she liked guy they'd pull up at 10pm and stay in car a while...if she didn't she'd come right to porch, were Tracy would jump on picture window loudley barking.."I must go in...dog is having a fit." ..than when inside it'd be "Tracy, your such GOOD dog.." Love love love
JGroth