my roommate purchased a Yorki Poodle on yesterday and I'm afraid of this lil pup what can I do to get over this fear that I've had since a child?

What is your fear?

I'm assuming (like a lot of people who are afraid of dogs) that you have never lived with a dog before.
Start playing with the dog lots & spend time with it. Your fear will most likely dissipate with time & getting used to a dog & the realisation that it in all likelyhood it will not attack you (even if it does it will only have puppy teeth!)
Good luck & enjoy your canine companion. Hope you get over your phobia.

Are you scared of all dogs or just little dogs? I know some people are scared of little dogs because they can be "yippy". Truthfully, dogs(if loved and cared for) can be similar to a loving child. Just make yourself familiar to the dog and let him/her smell you and recognize you as a friend. It's been said that dogs can sense fear, so relax and enjoy the pooch. Maybe feed the dog a bone to show your his/her friend? :)

I had a pretty bad fear of dogs until I started playing with them. Now my fear of dogs is restricted to stray dogs -- haven't been able to get over that one yet.

My advice: watch your roommate play with the dog. Notice that your roommate doesn't die. Then join in. :)

Dogs can sense fear if you show fear they are going to mess with you and maybe bite. Its a small dog you'll be fine.

as someone who is scared of dogs to the extreme...

when I'm around small dogs... I know this sounds mean... but I just tell myself that they are SO small that if I wanted, I could kick it. Or I "pretend" it's a cat, and just tell myself, "I'm not scared of cats, huh?"

If this ABSOLUTLY does not work, and you have the money, try counsoling. I have no idea how this works, but I start in a few weeks. :)

Hmmm... I'm not particularly afraid of dogs, but I don't know that much about them. The only dog I've lived with was my sister's when she and her dog moved in with me. I got along OK with him, but as for his obeying me... forget it.

Not to make you any more worried than you are, but dogs CAN do damage, although a small dog will be limited in how much it can do to you (as several folks pointed out). My sister's second dog was a solid 45 pounds and could be aggressive toward strangers, but he knew I "belonged" in the house. He was about 4 years old when I first met him, but even though he was past the friendly puppy stage, we hit it off just fine.

I used to fear dogs quite a bit. I would definitely encourage you to play with the puppy now, as it is much more "harmless" and it will make you feel more comfortable. I think it was pretty awful of your roommate to get a dog if you are so afraid of them, though!

Still, even though I am not "afraid" of dogs, i am still not totally comfortable around them. I just don't like them very much. I much prefer cats. Dogs are creepy. ;-)

I really appreciate all of your advice,I really want to conquer my fear of him so,that was I kind of didn't mind her in the apt.I guess I do need to play with her a little more,she always dashes at my shoes and that kind of freaks me out,or she's always looking to smell my feet so I need to get over that,but I want to have a relationship with her so just hope I can make it happen some how!

I really appreciate all of your advice,I really want to conquer my fear of him so,that was I kind of didn't mind her in the apt.I guess I do need to play with her a little more,she always dashes at my shoes and that kind of freaks me out,or she's always looking to smell my feet so I need to get over that,but I want to have a relationship with her so just hope I can make it happen some how!
Sounds like the puppy is trying to play with you. This is the time to interact with the pup if you plan on getting over at least your fear of this dog. They grow fast and the younger they are the easier it is to socialize them to things.

I would recommend getting down on the floor and playing with the pup, it will try to nibble on you that is natural; it is not trying to hurt you, they are very mouthy and put everything in their mouths. If the pup does bite to hard don't freak out, tell her no bite. If she persists, a gentle squeeze of the muzzle while saying no is a good reprimand. Or you could also have your thumb in the mouth on top of the tongueand gently squeeze, that works as a correction too. Bite/nibbling inhibition will not take affect immediatly, but you need to be consistant and eventually the puppy will learn.

Also any behavior you will find annoying in an adult dog, should be worked on know while the puppy is young. If a behavior is tolerated as a puppy when the dog gets older it will be harder to break the puppy of that habit.

Overcoming your fear will have more to do with you socializing with dogs. Your biggest hurdle will be controling you fear; as someone else pointed out dogs can sense that and it makes them agitated and some dogs will become more aggressive when they sense someone is afraid of them. Take little steps and eventually with persistance you will be able to interact with a lot of dogs..... when your ready for the really big step; see if there is an off leash dog park in your area, there will be dogs of all sizes running around. The majority of them will be very social and friendly.