This morning I took my dog Stevie on her morning walk. We headed out of our building, across a busy street, through some laneways, to the local park. She saw a few dogs, got a treat when she didnât lunge at them, sniffed many (many) shrubs, did her business, and then we headed home. It was almost a totally normal morning. The only unusual element was that this morning I was wearing a face mask.
Stevie and I live in Melbourne, where from this week residents will be required to wear face masks when in public. While other Australian cities havenât brought in the same rule, a lot of people are still choosing to mask up when social distancing isnât possible.
The benefits of face masks are numerous and widely reported (seriously, wear your mask). But thereâs no denying they can pose a few social challenges. Pre-mask I wasnât aware of how much non-verbal communication I engaged in every day. From smiling at kids, to mouthing âthank youâ to shop assistants, and generally trying to seem pleasant when going about our days, we say a lot with our faces without saying anything at all.
This morning though, I discovered something else: dogs and face masks are a tricky combination.
When we walk down the street, Stevie constantly glances up at me for reassurance. As soon as I smile back, she relaxes. But today, she glanced up and instead of seeing a familiar face she saw a black mask. She was clearly unnerved. It struck me that along with learning how to properly put on, remove, and clean my mask, I was going to need to acquire a new skill–communicating with my dog while wearing it.
Dogs and Face Masks, An Introduction
The first time your dog sees you in a mask they may be confused or distressed. If you walk into your home with it on, they could even assume youâre an intruder. To avoid all this, itâs important to get them used to you in your mask.
Begin by covering your face with your hands or a scarf while chatting to them so they know itâs you. Build up the amount of time you engage with them with your face obscured. Reward them with pats and attention so they get used to the idea that just because they canât fully see you doesnât mean something is wrong.
Show them your face mask before putting it on. Just be sure they donât touch it–masks needs to remain as sterile as possible. Put it on in front of them so they know itâs you underneath.
Wear your mask around the house for a bit, carrying on with business as usual, that will signal that the mask doesnât create any huge change in behaviour or routine.
If possible, try this with different styles of masks. Seeing variations can help them get used to people out of the house wearing masks too.
Remember to go slow and keep up the positive reinforcements.
Watch out for Too Much Eye Contact
Dogs are visual communicators, they pick up information from your facial expressions and body language. In particular, they pay a lot of attention to your eyes and mouth.
With half of that info removed, your eyes will get all of their focus. This may cause issues because direct, intense eye contact can be intimidating to dogs. When all they see is your eyes itâs more likely that you could accidentally appear threatening. Additionally, theyâre not able to see if your mouth is relaxed or smiling, which usually might settle them.
Use Your Voice
Dogs might not be able to see your mouth, but they can still hear you. So your voice becomes a vital tool in helping them feel comfortable. Dogs like high pitched, upbeat, friendly voices (yes, basically baby voice). Even if they donât know what youâre saying, they recognise this as friendly behaviour.
Make an effort to be chattier to your dog while wearing your mask to reassure them that youâre not angry or upset. Everytime you find yourself smiling at them under your mask, make sure you also say âgood boy/girlâ.
The Power of Treats
Cutting out smiles and other facial expressions means you may need to lean more heavily on other positive reinforcements like treats or pats. Weâve already mentioned that this is a good way to get them used to your mask, but be aware that across the day youâll need to use pats and nibbles to keep them feeling comfortable. Even if they canât see your face, theyâll know youâre probably not scowling under there if youâre giving them a scratch.
As always, be mindful of how much your dog is snacking. The last thing they need is to have to go on a diet on top of everything else.
Other Peopleâs Dogs and Face Masks
When itâs your dog, you can take the time to get them used to you in a mask. But things are tricker when you meet a dog on the street or run into a friend and their pet. Without time to build trust itâs important to adapt your behaviour to give them a bit of extra space.
Move slowly, speak quietly, and avoid intense eye contact. Blinking and looking away can also communicate that youâre not a threat. Avoid the urge to rush in for a pat, let them come to you first and set their own pace for the interaction.
For more on COVID-19 and dogs:
Can I Pat Other Peopleâs Dogs While Social Distancing?
Make the Most of Social Distancing with Your Dog
Everyone Is Adopting a Dog Right Now
What You Need to Know about Dogs and Coronavirus
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