Walking Dog in the Rain: 5 Foolproof Tips

If you are an active pet parent whose hobbies include taking your dog on outdoor walks, you wouldn’t want drizzling to ruin your quality time with your beloved canine. Walking dog in the rain can be a fun activity, but you might have to take a tip or two on how to encourage your four-legged buddy to join in on the fun.

Should I Walk My Dog in the Rain?

Dogs love being active, especially in an outdoor setting. But adding the element of rain in the equation is something that your dog might strongly disapprove of. We even shudder at the thought of walking on wet and muddy grounds. Although we may not intentionally walk our loveable puppy in rain, there will be instances when this is unavoidable.

For instance, you may find yourself stuck outdoors in the middle of a pleasant walk at the park when it starts pouring hard.

There are also cases when you are following a strict outdoor workout regimen and cannot skip going out because of a little rain.

For dog parents who live in regions where rain is commonplace, or during the wet season where rain pours continuously for days, you simply cannot deprive your dog his much-needed walk as this can be a source of problem both for his health and his well-being.

How Can you Motivate Your Dog to Walk in the Rain?

The easiest way to inspire your dog to get comfortable with the idea of walking in the rain is by starting him young. The actions that you exemplify to your pets will influence their behavior growing up. If he witnesses first-hand that you are taking outdoor walks, regardless of weather, he will slowly adopt this action, too.

In the case of older dogs, you will need to use a different approach to coax them into walking when it’s raining. Here are some of them:

• Don weather-appropriate gear for your dog

One of the first things that you should think about is the type of gear or clothing your dog should wear while walking in rainy weather. You should have a weather-appropriate gear or clothing for your canine pal, as well as for yourself. There are specialty clothing pieces for dogs that will keep them water-proof and more comfortable when walking in the rain.

For instance, you should let your pooch wear raincoats and dog boots so that they feel dry and comfortable even when during bad weather. Another useful and adorable weather gear that you may purchase to enhance your dog’s comfort level is an umbrella that you can attach to your dog’s leash or harness.

• Make sure to keep his paws dry

If you choose not to use rain boots for your dog, it is imperative that you clean and dry his paws immediately after the walk. Pups generally don’t like wearing clothes, more so rain boots. Bear in mind that dry paws are important to ensure your dog’s health and well-being.

Train your pups early to wear rain boots, as such “paw” wear also helps in keeping your dog from falling and slipping outdoors. Rainy weather clothes for your dogs also ensures that your floor is clean and without any muddy prints.

Related Post: Dog Paw Washers

• Skip busy outdoor spaces

If your dog loves the water and wouldn’t mind walking in small puddles along the road, then you won’t have a hard time convincing them to walk in rainy weather. But if your dog doesn’t like the element of water, you might find a wet outdoor excursion with him an extremely challenging task.

To make walking dog in the rain more fun and enjoyable for your four-legged best friend, avoid walking along busy streets. Vehicles that may accidentally splash water on you and your canine can induce anxiety in both of you. It can be hard to keep your dog calm and composed in this condition, so it’s best to stay away from roads that have regular traffic.

• Be visible

Visibility is inarguably one the most crucial safety aspects of dog walking in rainy weather. Your visibility as well as that of your dog will ultimately protect you both from accidents and injuries.

If you decide to walk in the rain, you need to wear brightly-colored clothes. Don a vest with reflective strips so people, especially drivers, can see you clearly and avoid hitting you and your dog on the road.

It is also important to pick the right time when walking dog. Ideally, you should only be taking your dog on walks when the sky is clear. Refrain from walking your dog in the evening, as this can be dangerous to you, too.

• Know when to shorten walks

If it is a requirement for you to take your dog for a walk regardless of inclement weather, one smart tip is to shorten the walks instead. You can compensate by involving your dog in interactive play indoors, so he doesn’t get bored and stays active.

If the rain becomes heavier, cancel your walk to ensure that you avoid any injuries that may happen.

• Be aware of your pet’s health

Always be mindful of your dog’s actions in rainy weather. Make sure your dog doesn’t drink from dirty puddles to avoid any type of sickness in the future. To guarantee his health and safety, bring fresh and clean water so he doesn’t quench his thirst from standing puddles.

Walking your dog in the rain can be an excellent bonding activity for you and your pup. Be a responsible owner and follow all the tips that we have enumerated above.

It may be a little bit of a learning curve and some practice for your dog to be motivated to walk in the rain, but with constant training and exposure, your dog will finally start looking forward to walking in the rain sooner than later.

We hope that these reminders on what to do with your dog when it’s raining will help you in getting him excited for an outdoor run with or without the element of water.