Dog won't go out in the rain? Here's what worked

My dog won't go out in the rain: the trick that changed everything

Does your dog refuse to go out in the rain? You're not alone. It's one of the most common problems dog owners face. For a quick pee, they'll eventually poke their nose outside. But for a real walk, forget it.

One rainy day now and then is no big deal: you stay home and do something else together. The problem is that there are plenty of times when you have no choice. You have to go out before work, run errands, go to the vet, or you get caught in a shower in the mountains. When your dog flat-out refuses to put a paw outside as soon as it rains, everything gets complicated.

Here's what worked for me with Jaina, my Labrador.

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Why your dog doesn't like going out in the rain

I picked up a simple idea from the French dog trainers at Esprit Dog: if you want your dog to enjoy going out in the rain, you have to enjoy it yourself.

Your dog is watching you. If you drag your feet, take ten minutes to put your jacket on while complaining about the weather (sometimes in less-than-polite words), they can tell straight away that you don't want to go. And chances are, they won't want to either.

The worst part is that it sticks. Dogs are like people: the more you do something, the easier and more enjoyable it gets. But a bad experience stays with you for a long time. If every rainy walk goes badly, you'll feel unmotivated before you even reach for the leash, and so will your dog. It's a vicious circle, and nobody wins.

The trick: leave just before it rains

I know it's hard to think "yay, it's raining, let's go out!" What really worked for me was heading out just before the rain starts.

Check your weather app. If rain is forecast from 6 pm, leave at 5:30. Go somewhere pleasant. I take a quiet walk in the woods. Halfway through, the rain arrives. At that point, neither you nor your dog can get home dry. There's no other option.

So what do you do? You have fun. You play. You remind yourself that in 15 minutes or half an hour, you'll be home and dry with a coffee or a hot chocolate.

The beauty of it is that you're already in the middle of the walk, already playing, already having a good time. Your dog is in a good mood. So are you, because you've just been playing together and you can see your dog is happy. When the rain comes, it's just a detail: it's raining, oh well. It even turns into a bit of fun.

In the rain, do exactly what you'd do on a sunny day

The secret is to behave just like you would on a nice day:

• play with your dog;
• practise recall, sit and down;
• hand out treats;
• throw a ball or a toy.

Whatever you do with your dog when the sun is out, do it in the rain. There's a good chance they'll find it great fun. Jaina, for example, runs through the water and jumps in puddles.

If the first two or three outings go like this, with both of you enjoying yourselves, by the fourth time you'll open the door and your dog will trot out happily, ready to play in the rain. And seeing them happy will make you happy too.

Start as early as possible, ideally with a puppy

It works even better with a puppy. When your puppy comes home, at around eight to ten weeks, try to go out in the rain fairly soon, and above all, do it cheerfully. I used this approach with Jaina when she was between two and four months old, and today she loves getting wet. To be fair, she's a Labrador, so she may have had a head start.

Light rain yes, thunderstorms no

Respect the weather, and know the difference between a light shower and a heavy storm:

• Avoid thunderstorms and strong winds, especially in the woods, where branches can fall.
• Be careful with small dogs, very young puppies and cold weather. In winter, a small wet dog can't handle the cold for long. Don't stay out for two hours.
• Keep your dog moving. I'm not a vet, but a dog that's walking and active copes much better with cold and wet than a dog standing still. This isn't the time to stop for a coffee on a terrace.

Gear up yourself

There's nothing worse than being badly equipped in the rain. To make sure you enjoy the walk too, bring:

• waterproof shoes;
• rain trousers if needed;
• a jacket that really keeps the water out;
• something to cover your head.

When you're dry, the rain is much easier to put up with, and you might even start to enjoy it.

Get the homecoming ready

This is often the least pleasant part. You both come home soaked, and you don't want your dog jumping on the sofa and getting water everywhere. Get ready before you leave:

1. Very absorbent towels by the door. Wrap your dog in one, rub them down and wipe their paws.
2. If they're a bit cold, especially a small dog, curl up with them on the sofa, wrapped in a towel.
3. A treat to end the walk on a positive note.

And for you: a hot chocolate, a show, and the satisfaction of having done something good with your dog. Every time, I take a silly photo of Jaina soaking wet, looking like the saddest dog in the world. It's part of the ritual.

How Quest.Dog helps you go out in the rain

That's exactly why the app I built, Quest.Dog, has a Weather family. When the app detects rain, walks and exercises done in the rain unlock special achievements. It's a little nudge to head out before the shower instead of staying on the sofa.

The goal stays the same: a dog that adapts to any situation, is happy, and loves spending time outdoors with you, whatever the weather.

Quest.Dog is available on the App Store: search for "Quest.Dog". On Android, the app is still in beta. Leave your email on quest.dog to get access.

FAQ

Is it safe to walk your dog in the rain?

Yes, light rain is no problem for a healthy dog that keeps moving. Avoid thunderstorms and strong winds, and watch out for the cold with small dogs and young puppies.

How long should you walk your dog when it's raining?

A normal walk is enough, no need to stay out for hours. In winter, with a small dog, keep it shorter and keep them moving.

At what age should you get a puppy used to rain?

As early as possible, from the day they come home at around eight to ten weeks, with short, cheerful outings.

My adult dog already hates the rain. Is it too late?

No. The method is the same: leave just before the shower, play as usual and build up a few positive experiences. It will just take a little longer than with a puppy.