A Dog's Fear of Face Masks

In light of the current pandemic situation, everyone has had to make many changes to stay safe. We understand wearing masks and gloves have now become the norm; however, there are some members of the family who didn’t get the memo - our dogs! 

With the increase in mask wearing, many of our furry friends have become confused and unsure of how to approach others. Masks, and any attire that covers our face, hinders a dog's ability to watch and read our facial expressions. This can cause fear of their owners and especially heighten any fear of our veterinary staff members, making the trip to the vet an extra scary place. 

But don’t worry! There are some tips to help your pup become more comfortable around a masked individual in a positive way. 

-First, show the mask to your dog, let them sniff it, and you can even tape it on the wall above their food dish (make sure it's in the position you would wear it on your own face). 

-Next, start to wear the mask, but not directly over your mouth. This can be hanging on your ear, pulled under your chin, or on your forehead. Try this and give your dog some treats for positive reinforcement. 

-Finally, wear the mask normally and again encourage your dog with treats and praise. Other members of the family should also practice these methods so the mask is not linked to one person. 

To help your dog become even more accustomed to others wearing masks, you could take them in the car and people watch through the window at a busy grocery store parking lot. 

If your dog is still having trouble adjusting to you or others in a mask, try teaching your dog a hand sign for “good dog!”. It could be a simple “thumbs up” or putting your thumb and forefinger in a circle for the “ökay” hand sign. Make sure to do this symbol while saying “good boy!” or “good girl!” so your dog will make the connection. This will help them understand even if they can’t see your smile or your voice is muffled. 

It may take some patience and time, but there is already enough fear and anxiety nowadays. Let's try to make our dogs not have to feel it too; we are all in this together! Stay safe everyone! 

Mallory VT