Got called a bad owner and I should force my dog

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

Basically group of us meet up for dog walks and let dogs play. Bit of a new thing since easing of lockdown .
I missed yesterday as it was raining.
So dog is highly strung. She hates water. Won't go outside if it's raining. The only dog I know who walks round puddles. She prefers to lie on the rug and play when it's a rainy day. Cowers if she hears the bath running.
We then make up for it on dry days.

So I got asked where I was yesterday, explaining about dog not liking getting wet and it stresses her out. And that 1 day of no walk/play won't do any harm.
Apparently it will.
Apparently I should make my dog walk in the rain. That a dog has to be walked in all weathers as that's what a good dog owner does and I shouldn't be dictated to by the dog.
So who is right here? Am I a bad owner for not dragging my dog out in the rain?

Erm nope. I have a water resistant pooch too. Why force it, you'll both be miserable.

Plus there's more than one way to tire a dog out. Indoor play can be as stimulating.

Ignore!!

Is your dog a whippet or a grey hound type?
I wouldn’t force the issue some love water, some hate t most don’t care. If she’s only got thin fur she might like a coat for when it’s wet.

I have a dog that walks round puddles too but is happy to go out in the rain, in your situation though I would do exactly as you did. It is not compulsory for dogs to go out every day, there are other ways to exercise them.

Thank you.
We had great fun playing yesterday. Hide and seek (yes I know) brain games and we did go for a quick lead walk when it stopped briefly so she could sniff.
Not all dogs like wet.

I have a water resistant pooch too. Theres no way I would or could force her out in the rain.

@mayblossominapril

Is your dog a whippet or a grey hound type? I wouldn’t force the issue some love water, some hate t most don’t care. If she’s only got thin fur she might like a coat for when it’s wet.

Belgian Mali X whippet . She's skinny but has a thick coat . She does have coats but somehow gets out of them as she likes to run

A local woman regularly chastises me for not letting my husky off lead... Apparently not taking her to classes is neglect..
She is nearly 8 and since doing off after a pheasant as a dpuppy is lead - bound..
Huskies aren't great at recall training
..

You’re perfectly fine, your dog won’t suffer from staying in one day if he doesn’t like the rain, your dog walking friends are being silly!

One of my dogs refuses to go out in the rain. Her choice as far as I'm concerned. I'm not dragging her around!

Will say though when it snows she's first at the door! She loves the stuff

At least your dog understands its raining
One of my dogs whines to be brought out then tries to use me as shelter/sits under a hedge to avoid the rain!

@mayblossominapril

Is your dog a whippet or a grey hound type? I wouldn’t force the issue some love water, some hate t most don’t care. If she’s only got thin fur she might like a coat for when it’s wet.

Mine's half Kerry Blue terrier, half Springer spaniel he should love water but he hates it.

One of mine demands a coat to go out and have a wee when its raining, and no way wants to go for a walk. On a rainy day he'll be upside down on the bed and nothing will move him - and he doesn't need stimulation to make up for no walk either

@M0rT

At least your dog understands its raining One of my dogs whines to be brought out then tries to use me as shelter/sits under a hedge to avoid the rain!

She stands at the door and snorts as if it's my fault. And then goes to find somewhere warm and dry to snooze. Have to Chuck her out for toileting. Told her when she learns to use the human toilet and flush after....

Thank you everyone. There're the batty one not me

It's absolutely fine!

I'm a dog walker and have some dogs who refuse to walk in the rain we do indoor play instead!

They've not exploded yet

Whippet owner, never walk in rain, ever. ☔🐶😳😁

I had a dog once sitting shivering in the middle of a path during a massive downpour! There was no way he'd move while the heavens were open...
So, it's better to stay at home at a slight hint of rain.

I had a whippet x jack Russell she hates rain but would swim in rivers 🤷‍♀️

My dog also hates the rain. He wouldn’t look at me for hours the last time we go caught in a downpour. We don’t go out in bad weather because what’s the point if we don’t both enjoy ourselves?

Glad to know mines not the only dog that hates rain and being wet.
She's a rescue and got some back story she was kept in a garden with no shelter except a trampoline. Then ended up with me . Then stolen . Then back with me after being found in a cellar. So not surprising that she hates wet and cold

@thecapitalsunited

My dog also hates the rain. He wouldn’t look at me for hours the last time we go caught in a downpour. We don’t go out in bad weather because what’s the point if we don’t both enjoy ourselves?

Ah it's your fault it rains! I do tell her I'm not in charge of the weather but get sideways looks and huffs at me !

My Who knows what whippet cross rescue hates water too. Snow great, rain horrible. Sits on the path with his coat on and a face like Dobby.

Thing is he doesn't have any behaviour issues when he's not walked, as long as we play with him and his toys indoors.

Rain or no rain, you listen to your dog. We usually do 2 or 3 laps of our local fields in the morning, this week for some reason after 1 lap Ddog has headed off towards the car and sat there waiting to get in. Tried to coax her around again the first time it happened in case she'd misunderstood and thought it was time to go home, no dice. So we come home.

I take the view it's her walk, it's supposed to be for her benefit and enjoyment not mine, if she's giving me signals that she doesn't want to go out, wants to go a different way or wants to cut it short and come home, then that's what we do. They don't have the language to explain, all they can do is try and show you what they want, and a good owner listens.

Unless you have a particularly high energy dog they don't need to be walked every day and playing games or doing scentwork at home can be just as enjoyable and stimulating as a walk.

Your friends don't sound like particularly clued up dog owners to me.

Your friends don't sound like particularly clued up dog owners to me.*
*
It's their way or not at all. Dog loves to run so tomorrow, weather depending I'm going to take dog elsewhere.
They do tend to witter shit and when they found out I was a nurse.... every bloody aliment going.