Do you walk your dog when it’s pouring all day?

[moodiemoo]

It’s pouring with rain so I don’t want to go out, but I’m feeling guilty. I have a doggy raincoat I can pop on him so that’s no issue, I’m just feeling bleh and the rain isn’t exactly motivating. Do you trudge out regardless?

Absolutely. And I judge the fair weather dog owners too.

No because my dog sits cowering in the hallway refusing to go out in the rain! Takes a lot to get him in the garden for the toilet but I would if he didn’t.

I usually do which is why I’m feeling guilty, just feel not that great today plus the rain, but wondering if I should suck it up regardless.

Yes we do. Our dog is not bothered by the rain and would be climbing the walls if he didn’t go out all day.

Yes. Even just a 10min wander up the road in extreme weather. Today the woods provided lots of shelter for a good run. Needed a good bath though.

Ours gets walked whatever the weather (except high heat) and we have her dog towel ready for when I get back. Unless your dog has an intense dislike of rain there’s no reason not to.

I don't always, because my dog doesn't like a rain/wind combo. She's a former street dog so just doesn't see why we would walk around in that! She doesn't mind missing a walk though, so it depends on the pros and cons for the dog I think.

Yes I do.

She doesn't mind the rain and likes/needs the walk.

She also loves the towel after and the treat as a reward.

If it's pouring then not really. I used to but my dog doesn't enjoy it, I don't enjoy it, so what's the point? I'll take him out for as long as it takes him to toilet properly and then we'll play games in the house instead. It's fairly rare it pours it down all day without a break though so we normally get out for a proper walk at some point. Normal rain I walk him as usual although we'll stick locally rather than going further afield.

Yes I do because that's all part of owning a dog

It depends on whether he'll need to be left alone later that day or not.

He has a bit of separation anxiety and struggles to settle by himself without a good walk, but if (like today) we're just going to have a chill day, then no, I won't walk him if the weather is miserable as he's quite happy curled up next to us under his blanket with some brain games chucked in.

I do - but it's one very short walk (10-15 mins) and my dog hates it more than I do! He does have a raincoat - but he hates that too .

Depends. Just rain then yes, very windy/storm no as the youngest dog would freak out. I try not to miss a day most of the year as they are energetic but I do miss the odd day when it is very hot as they struggle a bit if it is too hot.

Mine hates a wind and rain combination and won't go out in really heavy rain. But otherwise we wrap up and go- usually to a wood for shelter

No, my dog point blank refuses to go outside in the rain, even for a wee. We’ll play and/or train in the house instead.

Depends on the breed. My whippet looks at me in absolute disgust when I drag her out, even with a coat on. I usually open the door, she rushes up to go outside, then sees the rain falling and sprints back to her sofa, giving me a horrified side eye 😅

She's a bit thick though, bless her, as anyone would be with a skull that's slimmer than their neck 😅 She doesn't need as much stimulation as something like a collie or a cocker spaniel, who would be eating the walls and doors if they had to stay in for a day. She just emits a painted sigh and goes right back to sleep until more food appears.

We do have house games he loves, namely hide and seek running all over the house. But I’ll likely end up trudging out soon.

Yes I do. I might avoid the dog park and just go to the local one for a walk under the trees for shelter, or even just a sniffy walk around the area. I couldn’t see her cooped up for the whole day.

My previous dog, yes, same walk as usual whatever the weather. He didn’t care and he was manic if not walked properly. I found it was rarely that awful for me when I got properly dresses and out there.

My current dog is not keen on rain and wind, so we do 10 minutes round the block so he can pee/poo and back in again.

I used to but he’s now 14 with multiple medical issues so as long as he goes out on the majority of days I’m happy , we’ve been out today - it’s lovely here .

I knew this thread would attract people who have very rigid ideas about what it means to own a dog.

It's not cruel to skip the odd walk if you're unwell, or it's pissing down, or even (gasp) because you just can't be bothered. As long as you don't make a habit of it and your dog isn't left stressed or unhappy, it's absolutely fine to have a down day occasionally.

In fact, it's often recommended that dogs skip walks occasionally if they're reactive, fearful or anxious. Mine skips about one walk a month on average.

If it's very hot we go early morning and/or evening just on the grassy park area near my house - again 10/15 mins and if he decides to just lie down and look at me then we come home .

And actually if he tries to hide under a bush in the rain more than once or twice, we come home too!