Help - Ruther Glen, VA

My rottweiler is the same way. There's not a lot that I can offer, but what I do is either take her out as soon as I realize the rain is coming, and again as soon as it's over. Or when it's not raining so hard, if I actually walk out in the yard with her, she'll usually cooperate. If I try to stay on the porch or steps, she won't go out there--(such a baby). But usually if I go with her she can be coaxed. Hope that helps. Good luck!!

I have had to do the same thing Kristen does & push my dog off the deck. She has learned over the years that I am going to do push her out so now she goes out even though she really does not want to get wet. I also have to do the same thing in the winter because she does not like the snow either.

We have two dogs that hate the rain. We have to literally push them off our front porch and into the yard to get them to go.

Hi M.! Ah i have the same problem with my beagle. she's such a little diva she doesn't want her paws wet. My solution? put her on a short leash only when i KNOW she has to go (she can't sit still) and take her to her spot on the yard. if she doesn't go, we go right back inside and repeat until she goes. Now (about 6 or 7 months of this) she waits when it's raining until she absolutely has to go, runs out, goes, and HURLS herself back in the house. I guess she learned that it isn't necessary to go out and mess around once she really has to go!

I have a boxer who hates getting his feet wet or muddy! We usually have to wait until there's a break in the rain and make him stay outside for about ten minutes. I know he can hold it for about twelve hours but I feel guilty when I do. She may whine at the door and all but she will get the hint and will go. Just be patient.

My Lhasa is the same way, and sounds silly - but she now has a raincoat from Petsmart - and when she has it on, she has no problem going out - and better yet, when she comes back in she is dry, and no smelly wet dog!

Hello M.:
I feel that the best way to make a dog go out to potty in the rain is to take them out on a leash. That way they can't just hang by the door and cry, they have to go with you. It will mean you going out in the rain, but it will work better than just shoving her out the door.

Once she does her business, give her a little treat and bring her immediately back into the house. Have a towel waiting to dry her. She will associate the job done with the treat and coming in out of the rain after a few times. You may need to do two trips over a period of time, one for one potty and one for the other, but in the long run I think she will get the idea that she gets rewarded for a quick job and she gets to come in.

I had a friend who had a dog once that also would not go out in the rain. She would have to go out with him and hold an umbrella over him while he did his business. Not sure that is a habit I would want to start but I guess it would be better than the clean up.

Hello M. M,
I too am a M. M(osley)
I have an Australian shepherd and when he was a pup did the same thing.I had to get him to trust that I was sending him out and nothing would happen to him.In the early days I accompanied him with an umbrella sheltering him of course.When he found the spot and had the urge I would walk away enough to expose him to the weather,each time spacing myself and the umbrella until eventually I was inside.Everytime we did this routine it was followed up with lots of praise and of course a treat.He is 9 now and still is a bit aprehensive,I stay patient and assure him. On extreme days like yesterday I try to be aware of his return so that I keep his trust and respond to his arrival quickly,lovingly and as always with that earned treat.You know it is funny he has gotten into food that was at is grasp getting him into trouble,but he has never helped himself to the milk bones even with permission,Rebel just associates them to be special and has never taken one on his own.He will let you know often enough when he expects one,but never takes one.
Hope this is a bit helpful:)
M. Thompson

www.langleyyardsales.com
also put up posters in the pet stores and at the mall and your vet's office. Also check into Godaddy.com and build a website you can have to sell future litters.

My husband had a dog like that when he was a kid, only he was in Boston and it was the snow she refused to go out in. 'Course, it helps if you can see over the snow, she was a tiny thing. They just threw her out the door and didn't let her in till she did her business. She was a smart dog from what they've told me, and learned quick.

Victoria Stilwell has a book out, maybe there'd be something in there. Rather than buying it off amazon or something and finding out she doesn't have anything specifically about rainy days, I'd go to the bookstore and "graze"! If you do want to go ahead and buy it (she is brilliant) go to http://www.amazon.com/Its-Me-Dog-Have-Perfect/dp/14013085...

-S.

i encourage my dog ally by saying go potty go potty. she doesnt like the rain either. hanna came thru here yesterday so ally held it all night. but she does have accidents. i notice when i dont get upset she is better the next time when she wont go outside. also sometimes when it is a really long time or physically i cant get up the steps i let her go on my covered porch. she seems to know when i cant get up the steps.