Consult A Therapist:
Consult a therapist in doing away with the fear. The therapist would help you defeat a certain level of fear, with a realistic and helpful approach or techniques, and actually allow you to befriend or feel comfortable around canines. One should not have any inhibitions in indulging in a session with a therapist, or an expert as it would help pinpoint the source of your fear and get to the root-cause of the matter. This way you would learn to overcome your fear, and learn how to advance stray / pet dogs in varied breeds.
Hang Around With Dog Lovers:
You can hang out with dog-lovers amongst your kith and kin. This should help you observe their love for animals, and in the process helping you build up a dog-friendly environment.
Learn the basics from your friend, how to feed a dog, play with a dog, pat a dog, talk to a dog, and shake hands with a dog. Try to see a more vulnerable side of the canines, and this knowledge will help you socialise with them to the hilt. Your dog lover friend can also take you to a dog park, and teach you the nuances, or better still, let you walk his/her dog fearlessly.
Visit An Animal Shelter:
You can also pay a visit to a dog shelter or pet camps. This would also help you familiarize yourself completely with the breeds. It could also teach you how they feel and behave like a baby, and when neglected, they seek attention, and crave to be pampered, or loved.
