THE MASK DOG HOW TO

Maintaining social distancing when out in public will allow your dog space and time to adjust to different environments as well as following government guidelines. Once your dog is staying calm when someone they know approaches them wearing a face mask itРІР‚в„ўs time to get out there and put your training to the test. Remember to reward your dog every time they look at the person calmly without becoming agitated. Make sure they approach gradually, stopping a distance away and only getting closer once the dog has had time to adjust. Once your dog is comfortable, ask the person they know to approach wearing a mask.

Start by practicing the first few steps again outside. This will help your dog get used to face masks being worn by different people in different environments. Once your dog is comfortable with people they know wearing a mask inside, it is time to move your training sessions outside. Step 4 РІР‚вЂњ Prepare your dog for strangers wearing face masks Once your dog is relaxed, you can gradually allow the person they know to come closer. You could also ask the person to approach from further away if possible, or to cover their face gradually and build this up in the same way you did in step two. If your dog shows any signs of being anxious you may need to go back a step and make sure your dog is relaxed around the mask itself. If your dog acknowledges them and remains calm, give them a reward. To begin with, ask them to come into the room wearing a mask, but without approaching the dog. This would ideally be another adult with whom you live. Once your dog is comfortable with you wearing the mask, itРІР‚в„ўs time to try the same thing with another person, as safely as possible. Step 3 РІР‚вЂњ Introduce your dog to other people they know wearing masks If your dog is worried, try covering your face gradually, a bit at a time, allowing them to get used to each part being covered before moving on. Build this up gradually, over a few different sessions if necessary, until your dog is staying calm and responding to you as normal when youРІР‚в„ўre wearing the mask. Once your dog seems comfortable, put the mask on and repeat the steps. This time ask for a behaviour that your dog knows well and then reward them again. Once your dog is comfortable with you doing this, hold the face mask in front of your face again. Next, hold the face mask up to your face, just for a second or two and immediately reward your dog. Step 2 РІР‚вЂњ Gradually get your dog used to the face mask covering your face Once youРІР‚в„ўve finished playing, put the mask away and try again the following day. If your dog is still uncomfortable, place the mask on the floor slightly away from you and spend some time playing with them. Once your dog is comfortable listening and responding to you with the face covering in your hand then you can move on to the next step. Stand next to your dog with the mask or face covering in your hand and ask them for a behaviour that they already know, such as a РІР‚В sitРІР‚в„ў or РІР‚В downРІР‚в„ў.

Step 1 РІР‚вЂњ Get your dog used to the face mask In order to teach our dogs that a face mask is not something to be afraid of, itРІР‚в„ўs important to first get them used to masks at home, or somewhere familiar to them where they are able to relax and wonРІР‚в„ўt be too distracted.

THE MASK DOG HOW TO

How to get your dog used to people in face masks ItРІР‚в„ўs important to try to prepare your dog ahead of time, and keep them as calm and comfortable as possible around people in face masks. These new practices will be a learning curve for lots of people, and our animals are no different. Certain masks or face coverings may also muffle or change the sound of your voice which can be confusing for your dog. Face masks naturally stop a dog from being able to read all of our facial expressions and this can sometimes make them scared or anxious. To help with this, weРІР‚в„ўve put together our step by step guide to getting your dog used to people wearing face masks or coverings.Р”Вogs are very good at reading body language and can detect even tiny changes in facial expressions. Many of us may take time to adapt to this new way of life, but itРІР‚в„ўs important to remember that many of our dogs will also find it difficult to adjust.

The mask dog