Your dog needs to be walked every day but you can’t always depend upon the weather being cooperative. Rain is one of the most common problems a dog owner encounters when the weather turns bad. Should your dog be walked in the rain or should you try skipping the dog’s regular walk and just let it outside for a few moments to take care of its biological functions?
When it’s raining, should I go for a walk? Or shouldn’t I?
Most dogs do not appreciate taking a stroll in the rain, particularly if the downpour is heavy. Most humans won’t appreciate it either.
But almost every veterinarian will agree that there’s nothing wrong with walking your dog in the rain if you take certain precautions. Sometimes your dog has to go potty and there is no other option.
My dog doesn’t want to be walked on a rainy day, but what can I do?
Some dogs do love the rain, especially if they are retrievers or other dog breeds used to water, but most dogs want to avoid the rain and skip the walk.
If you really want or need to walk your dog in the rain (if you live in an apartment or home where there is no yard to let the dog out into), you’ll need to make the experience as comfortable as possible for your dog.
If it’s raining and the weather is cold, you’ll need to be sure your dog is protected from the rain as much as possible and remain warm.
If you live where it rains a lot, you might consider purchasing some rain protection for your dog that can make walking in the rain more tolerable for your pet.
Dog rain coats help your dog stay dry in the rain. These coats are usually made from vinyl and are wind-resistant and waterproof, and come with Velcro straps to help keep the coat in place.
Dog rain boots will help keep your dog’s legs and paws from getting wet, although many dogs will refuse to wear them.
Pet umbrellas are not as common but they attach to your dog’s collar and will keep your dog protected from the rain.
After walking your dog in the rain, be sure to dry it off thoroughly using a towel. If you have a long-haired dog you may need to use a hair blower to dry both the top coat and undercoat of your dog.
My dog only toilets outside all the time, but what should I do?
Just as starting them young will help desensitize your dog to the rain, so will going for walks when it’s wet outside.
The next time it lightly rains outside, take your dog for a walk.
Most dogs get so excited for their walks they’ll likely forget all about the rain. In fact, you’ll probably notice them “doing their business” like it’s nothing at all.
The more walks you take in the rain, the less being wet will bother your dog. Eventually, they won’t even think twice about going outside to pee when it’s raining.
If you or the dog don’t want to go for a walk because it’s pouring outside. Then you can learn how to teach them to use a toilet spot at home as reading below.
Do they catch a cold when you go for a walk in the rain?
Excessive exposure to a cold rain can result in a hypothermia or even a cold.
Always ensure your dog stays warm enough if the temperature outside drops to a really cold level.
Recommended stress-relieving ways to do it in the house
A common method for initially house-training dogs is to take them to the same spot outside every time they need to go for a toilet.
You can continue those efforts by covering that toilet spot (or any spot) in your yard with a large umbrella or shelter. If you live in a house without a yard so it can be a spot in your balcony or rooftop.
If your dog knows exactly where to go when it’s raining, they won’t need to waste time sniffing around the house when they need to find a toilet place. Instead, they can hightail it to their favorite spot.
There is some hormones releasing products which can help the dogs feel more comfortable and relaxing.
They are calm collars or diffuser or spraying. They works due to its content of pheromones, which are a synthetic form of the ‘ Dog Appeasing Pheromone ‘. This pheromone is a hormone-like substance produced by lactating mothers to calm her puppies. It works on dogs of all ages. There are many different brands produce these kind of products.
Doing indoor exercise is also a good idea to release stress for your lovely dog. Here are some exercises you can try at home with your dog:
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1) Run your dog up and down the stairs
In homes with big flights of stairs, running up and down can be a great exercise for your dog. Keep in mind, however, that this is not a good exercise for some dogs. If your dog is old, has health issues, has – or is prone to – arthritis and other joint problems, etc. – don’t do this. -
2) Set up obstacle courses
In rooms that are spacious enough you can easily set obstacle courses for your dog. Jumping over chairs, going under tables, circling around pillars – most things you see on dog shows can be replicated at home. Your dog will get the exercise he needs and will love the game and the treats. -
3) Hide & seek with treats
Playtime is a favorite of many dogs. You can exercise both the body of your pooch, as well as their nose with this: stash treats in hidden places in your home and teach your dog to find them. You can change the hiding places each day to keep the game interesting. -
4) Hide & seek together
You can even play hide and seek together with your dog. Tell your dog to sit in a room and go hide. Then call your dog and let them find you. The game can be even more interesting with several people. Of course, the goal here isn’t winning, but to have fun with your dog and give them plenty of exercise. -
5) Keep away
Also called “Monkey” as well as several other names, Keep away is a game that you can easily play at home if you have some space. You’ll need someone else to play with you and your dog. Just get a ball, throw it to each other and let the dog have fun trying to get it. -
6) Fetch
With a long corridor or a spacious living room, you can also play fetch at home. Your dog needs to be relatively small too, but for such breeds indoors fetch can be as good of an exercise as outdoors fetch. -
7) Teach your dog to use the treadmill
Dogs can use the treadmill, preferably those designed specifically for pets. They need a bit of training, however – first get your dog used to a dog treadmill when it’s turned off. Then, turn it on at a slow pace. Don’t leash your dog on the treadmill – just keep an eye on them and give them treats from the front end of the treadmill. -
8) Tug of war
Tug of war is another fun game and good exercise. Play it with caution, however. Tug of war can make your dog overly competitive and can lead to aggressive behavior in some breeds. Always establish your position as the “leader” in your home and remember to lighten the mood when your dog gets too invested in the game. -
9) Training obedience, skills or new tricks
It’s always a great idea to train your dog. Anything from obedience to new tricks can keep your dog’s mind busy and their body – active. If you train your dog properly and give them proper treats and verbal rewards, the training will be both a great exercise and a very pleasurable activity for both of you. -
10) Mind puzzles
Mind puzzles aren’t just for your dog’s mind – dogs become very active when faced with a mental challenge. Something like a food puzzle dispenser is great exercise for your dog. You can take your dog several different food puzzle dispensers and change them every couple of days. -
11) Indoors swimming
If your puppy is small enough and you have a relatively sizable bath – swimming can be another great exercise. Just be careful not instill a fear of water in your dog. -
12) Give your dog a job
If you’ve trained your dog obedience, as well as the names of some household objects, you can give your pooch chores. You can teach them to gather clothes from the floor and the furniture and to take them to the dirty clothes basket. You can tell them to tidy up their toys so that you can vacuum the place. You can even teach your dog to bring you things. -
13) Get your dog some new toys, chew toys or chew bones
Toys are always a great way to burn some calories. Some dogs get crazy for chew toys and bones, so getting your dog a new toy can give them several days’ worth of exercise.
Summary
Deciding whether to walk your dog in the rain is a personal decision, but if done properly and with the right apparel, it can be painless and easy for both of you, and your dog may even learn to enjoy an outing in the rain as much as it does on a dry day.