As we attempt to control the spread of COVID-19, face masks have become the new normal. While we humans have grown accustomed to the coverings, many dogs remain wary at the parade of surgical masks, scarves, and bandanas.
From a dog’s perspective, the reluctance is perfectly understandable, explains Dr. Lauren Jones, a veterinarian in the Philadelphia area. Changes in appearances are startling for dogs, and accessories on the face and head can be particularly troubling.
“Some dogs refuse to approach people wearing hats, and others cower at the sight of a person in sunglasses,” says Jones. “It comes as no great surprise that masks can be tough for dogs to handle, particularly those with anxiety.”
Furthermore, by obscuring the face, masks deprive dogs of a valuable means of communication. Dogs have evolved to read our faces, and subtle facial movements can convey a wealth of information.
“Dogs are inherently social creatures who take a lot of cues from our facial expressions,” says Jones. “Fortunately, they also take similar cues from our tone of voice, which isn’t disguised by a mask.”
Unfortunately, we can’t sit our four-legged friends down for a discussion about the importance of social distancing. But there are some ways to help your pet adjust to the sight of face masks.
“As with any change to appearance, routine or training, positive reinforcement and a gradual introduction is the way to go,” says Jones.
To acclimate your dog to face masks, follow these step-by-step instructions from Jones:
- Before putting on your mask, allow your dog to inspect it. A good sniff goes a long way!
- Put the mask on halfway, either allowing it to dangle from one ear or wearing it under your chin. “Clearly this is not an effective way to wear a mask, but it lets your dog see the mask partially on your face while still being able to read all of your facial cues,” says Jones.
- At this point, offer a reassuring reward, such as a small treat or some belly rubs.
- Continue to repeat the partial mask and reward, gradually working your way up to fully wearing the mask and offering a similar reward.
If your dog doesn’t immediately come around, don’t worry – just like us, some dogs need more time to adjust.
“Over time, dogs can become accustomed to this new normal,” says Jones.