Some dogs do not want to go outside in the rain because of their short coat and wetness. It is also possible that your dog has had a bad experience in the rain in the past and therefore does not want to go outside.
Every dog has its own character and idiosyncrasies. With some dogs it is the special hunting instinct or the constant barking when a car drives by, and with others it is that the dog does not want to go out in the rain.
Here it is important that you remain absolutely calm and do not force the dog to go outside in the rain.
One reason for your dog not wanting to go out in the rain could be that he gets cold very quickly as soon as he has a wet coat. Especially dogs with a very short coat without the protective undercoat freeze very easily in the rain. After just a few minutes in the rain, it can become very uncomfortable and cold for your dog.
But also bad experiences your dog has had in the rain can be a reason why your dog does not want to go outside in such weather. Especially fearful dogs that have been outside during thunderstorms and thunder might be very stressed by the rain and not want to go outside in the rain.
How do I get my dog to go out in the rain?
It is best to wait for the short rain shower until it is dry again, there should always be enough time for this. Consideration could also be given to rain boots or rain coats specifically designed for dogs. You can also try distracting your dog from the rain with his favourite toy.
There are a few tricks and tips we can share with you to make walking outside in the rain work well.
Often you have certain times of the day when you take your dog outside. If it’s raining particularly hard around this time, it’s a good idea to simply wait a few minutes until it’s less or even completely dry. If the rain doesn’t stop at all, you can let your dog outside for a short while so he can do his business. He will be grateful and quickly come back inside.
Another alternative is for the two of you to go to another place where no dark rain clouds are visible yet. Maybe this will result in a new walk where your four-legged friend can get many new impressions.
Another solution to the problem of your dog not wanting to go out when it rains is to simulate the rain in the garden with your dog. You could start a big adventure in the garden with a garden hose, some treats and some toys. Your dog might get to know the rain better and make friends with it after all.
Dog coats or special rain boots for dogs can also be a practical solution to the problem if your dog doesn’t want to go out in the rain. There are numerous offers here in specialist shops, which also have a large selection of dog sizes.
Distraction is always the best way to combat anxiety. You can simply take your dog’s favourite toy with you on walks in the rain and play with it in the rain. Your dog will probably forget about the rain and concentrate on chasing and playing.
What are the reasons why my dog doesn’t want to go outside?
If your dog doesn’t want to go outside, it could be because of a bad event in your dog’s past where he was attacked or bitten by another dog. It could also be that the walk is just too boring for your dog and he needs more variety and activity outside.
If your dog doesn’t want to go outside to walk with you, it could be because he is just too bored. This usually shows that he is reluctant to come along and walks around bored. There is nothing new for him to discover on the walk and no variety or activity is offered. All this can lead to your dog not wanting to go outside.
A situation from your dog’s past can also serve as a stress trigger so that your dog no longer wants to go outside. This could be a sudden thunderstorm or an incident with another dog. Fearful dogs are particularly sensitive and react with increased stress. The enormous stress in your dog can be recognised by the fact that he does not react to the simplest commands and seems very distracted. A loss of appetite before going for a walk can also indicate increased stress.
Pain or illness can also be the reason why your dog doesn’t want to go outside. Often you can’t tell immediately if your dog is in pain. It is best to check before you go for a walk whether your dog has swellings or injuries and therefore does not want to go outside.
What solutions are there to make my dog go outside again?
It is important that you do not force your dog to go outside. With some variety and activity during walks, your dog will enjoy going outside again. New commands can also be learned. If your dog has a very short coat and gets cold easily, it is better to go outside on warm or dry days.
It is important that your dog gets enough variety and activity outside. A new walk or a toy that you have taken with you can be a good remedy.
You can also train new commands on the walk and reward them with a treat.
If your dog does not want to go outside because of an injury or illness, you should accept this and discuss with your vet what should be done or avoided.
If your dog has a very short coat and gets cold easily in winter or when it rains, it makes sense to go outside only in good weather. A mackintosh for dogs can also be a good investment for your dog.
If your dog is very tense and stressed before going for a walk, it is advisable to start with only small rounds and then increase later. Also, avoid the days after New Year’s Eve or celebrations where fireworks or loud projectiles are used.
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Summary – Dog doesn’t want to go out in the rain?
Some dogs don’t want to go outside in the rain because of their short coat and wetness. Similarly, your dog may have had a bad experience in the rain in the past and therefore not want to go outside.
It’s best to wait out the brief rain shower until it dries out again, there should always be enough time for this. Consideration could also be given to rain boots or rain coats specifically designed for dogs. You can also try to distract your dog from the rain with his favourite toy.
Your dog’s reluctance to go outside could be due to a bad event in your dog’s past where he was attacked or bitten by another dog. It could also be that the walk is just too boring for your dog and he needs more variety and activity outside.
It is important that you do not force your dog to go outside. With some variety and activity on the walk, your dog will enjoy going outside again. New commands can also be learned. If your dog has a very short coat and gets cold very easily, it is better to go outside on warm or dry days.
