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?

My 8yo Irish terrier bitch HATES the rain. She has a bladder of steel, and will absolutely NOT go outside in rain/drizzle until she is desperate - at that point, she’ll wee/poo 6 inches outside the back door, and race back in.

Attempting to take her for a walk in those conditions is a total waste of time - she’ll just huddle as close as possible to my legs … will not wee/poo.

She’s been like it since she was a puppy, and if we’re out for a walk and it starts raining she’s exactly the same - hates it.

If I need her to go, I carry her into the back garden, close the door, walk right to the end (about 60ft) and put her down. She’ll race at top speed for the back door, but (usually) will stop to wee and poo along the way.

Some dogs go nuts if not walked to a set pattern every day - others, like mine, enjoy their walks, but would MUCH rather be upside down on the sofa if it’s wet out.

Your dog will be fine having a duvet day.

Our greyhound wanted to go out in all weathers when we first got him. Just after a year later he’ll definitely take a view and generally not fancy it if it’s chucking it down (and sometimes randomly otherwise). If he’s not getting antsy between scheduled(ish) walk times as a result we are quite laid back about it. He’ll catch up at weekends on a longer walk anyway or wear himself out running in the week.

My jack Russell hates the rain . One drop and she pulls me back towards home . If I am already home she walks away from the door when I get her lead . In any other weather she loves to run and walk for miles . She won’t walk through puddles or swim at all either .

I'm sure I've read that some dogs don't like rain as they've very sensitive hearing and it can be too loud....but I agree with other posters dogs don't need to go out there's plenty things you can do at home to stimulate and tire them out and its not a good idea to cause stress and anxiety to an animal.
You sound like a great dog owner, they sound old school.

Definitely ditto! My greyhound girl used to charge out in wind and rain but has had a recent change of heart. Last time we went out in the rain she put the brakes on 20 metres down the road and put on her best sad face (she's a greying grey and has perfected this wee tired old grannie face when needed). I need to get her a wee rain hat to match her rain coat.

They’re crazy. Just because they’re a dog doesn’t meant they should be forced to do things that make them unhappy.

Well pissed it down again today. So no doubt I'm really really bad now. Waiting for a lightening bolt .
So dog had a play date at our house. They did briefly both run out in to the garden, toileted and ran back in . House smelt of damp dog 😂
But I've got a happy dog. Thank you to those who agree with me that dogs do not all like walking in the rain, that not all dogs like getting their paws wet and that I'm an ok owner who wings it most days and makes it up as we go along. If dog is happy I'm happy

Surely a bad owner is one that forces their pet to do something they don't want to do

I have a total couch potato dog. She does normally get walked in the week every day even if raining and is ok with that as we meet her friends. At weekends we walk alone and if it’s raining we don’t go, she’s fine with that. You know your dog best.

My puppy was exhausted today after my brother and his dog visited - they played jumping around all afternoon! No need for a walk in the rain this evening. She just lounges outside in the rain instead 😂

Don't feel pressured to taking them a walk in the rain if it's not for them OP😊

My dog refuses to walk in the rain. She just stops and makes it impossible to shift her.
She will walk if she is off the lead.
You know your dog so everyone else can bog off.

Our dog tries to refuse to go out in the rain but we live in the west of Scotland so we do kind of have to force the issue a bit
If you live somewhere drier then it's not a big deal to miss the odd walk.

@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!

Mine does exactly the same

@LawnFever

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!

Would they throw their child out in the rain too?

Vancouver had rain of biblical proportions yesterday. Dog was impossible. We live in an apartment with no yard so he has to go out. He is about 14 pounds, but would not move his legs to walk. Stubborn as all get out.

I had to carry him a ways. It was quite the gong show.

And yes it was my fault it was raining. I posted a picture of Mr Stubborn sulking in his favourite chair.

I've dumped the dog walkers . Met new sensible slaves . We go off the weather for meet ups!
Dogs run around the field like nutters , and we can say it's chucking it down Wednesday/Thursday see you Friday .

That sounds far more sensible!!

I have a water adverse dog (unless she's hot then she finds a swamp to wallow in!) and we've now got a 20 week old dachshund who is the most damp / water/ cold adverse dog I have ever met....

And I don't walk them in the rain!