Training During COVID-19: Conditioning Your Dog to People Wearing Face Masks

Training During COVID-19:
Conditioning Your Dog to People Wearing Face Masks

Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, wearing face masks has become a way of protection from the virus. However, some dogs might have difficulty adjusting to this change. This can cause some dogs to bark, growl, or hide when they see a person in a mask.

Why Are Masks Scary to Some Dogs?

  • The mask covers the human's face making them appear different.

  • Previous history of seeing people in masks at shelters or vet clinics.

  • It can cause your voice to sound different than usual.

  • Some dogs can do well with their owners in masks, but not strangers.

Until further notice, Faithfully Yours Dog Training in Braxton, MS will be requiring face masks be worn during all training sessions and classes - without exception. Your dog being fearful of a mask will be reason for removal from sessions and classes.

In order to make sure you can attend training sessions at Faithfully Yours, you should work on conditioning your dog to people wearing masks:

  • Mask = Treats (Ex. you present the mask to your dog and give treats as soon as the mask is visible, hold the mask to your face and then give treats once it is covering your face, or have a helper wear a mask and walk in and out of the room with their mask on, when they are in the room, treats are given, when they are not in the room, treats stop.)

  • Positive exposure to people wearing masks (not just yourself.)

  • Make sure your dog is completely comfortable for you and your trainer's safety.

How do I know when my dog is okay with masks?

Your dog shows no signals of stress. (ex. tail down, barking/growling, hiding, ears back, lip licking, etc.) Your dog can be around both you and others on walks who are wearing masks. If your dog is previously reactive to people before the mask mandate, let your trainer know, as this might just be a symptom of your dog’s previous reactivity and have nothing to do with masks being a trigger. However it is still recommended you work on this as people wearing masks is now a daily occurrence.

Remember: If you or your trainer cannot safely wear a mask, you can't attend sessions.

Keep training and working on this behavior until your dog is comfortable or opt for video or phone sessions until the need for masks has passed.

If you are struggling with conditioning masks, let your trainer know immediately by doing the following:

  • Email or text your trainer videos of your mask conditioning sessions for their feedback.

  • Email your trainer any questions you have about the process if you feel stuck. Do not wait until last minute!

Dog Training, BehavioralLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCcovid-19, coronavirus, masks, mask training, classical conditioning, conditioning, reactivity, policies, pandemic, face masks, ppe, training dogs, dog training, dog trainer, safety, trigger stacking, triggers