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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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

209 replies

moodiemoo · 15/09/2024 14:51

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?

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 15/09/2024 17:14

Thank you AdviceNeeded2024.

The thing is, I don’t really know that the walks are adequate, or if I’m short changing them, and it’s just something I researched online before I got them, for this particular breed. So I run with that. Although they aren’t destructive, seem happy (as happy as a whippet can look - they’ve pretty much got just the one expression going on!). I guess it’s a case of seeing the super long daily walks and stimulating daily indoor play some talk about on here, which can sometimes make me feel the way I do.

BiteyShark · 15/09/2024 17:15

No.

A bit of rain is ok but he is the most miserable looking spaniel if I try and walk him in heavy rain.

If it's heavy rain and he wants to go out to toilet as soon as I open the door for him he looks out then turns back to the sofa and holds it in.

tabulahrasa · 15/09/2024 17:16

If I skip a walk it’s more likely to be because it’s hot and sunny tbh.

But that’s because my current dogs refuse point blank to go in the garden in heavy rain, but don’t care if it’s the same weather on a walk, which makes no sense to me, but I have to walk them so they’ll go to the toilet.

CherryValley5 · 15/09/2024 17:16

ThisBlueCrab · 15/09/2024 16:49

If you can't be arsed to walk your dog at least twice every day then remove it because the dog deserves far better treatment than you are proudly posting you give it.

Do get a grip.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/09/2024 17:18

moodiemoo · 15/09/2024 17:10

This is my first time posting here and it has been like baptism by fire 😆

Dogs are all different just like people! Sometimes mine just wants a day off, she gets under her throw, naps and potters about and refuses to go for a walk. I’m not going to force her! (Doesn’t happen every few days before I get slaughtered 🙄) but once in a while, especially if she’s had a particularly exciting few days she likes a day to wind down!

As long as yours is happy and healthy, try not to worry. What you don’t want is to drag and force your dogs on a walk so they associate negativity with it and end up not wanting to go most of the time.

SuePreemly · 15/09/2024 17:18

Always. It's only water and he loves his walks!

Daschund · 15/09/2024 17:19

Fortunately DH is the dog walker in our house and isn't made of sugar.

tabulahrasa · 15/09/2024 17:19

Livelovebehappy · 15/09/2024 17:14

Thank you AdviceNeeded2024.

The thing is, I don’t really know that the walks are adequate, or if I’m short changing them, and it’s just something I researched online before I got them, for this particular breed. So I run with that. Although they aren’t destructive, seem happy (as happy as a whippet can look - they’ve pretty much got just the one expression going on!). I guess it’s a case of seeing the super long daily walks and stimulating daily indoor play some talk about on here, which can sometimes make me feel the way I do.

Exercise and entertainment needs vary by breed and dog.

one of mine is a collie, I’m very sure your whippets would be just as miserable with his walks and activities as he would if he got your whippets instead.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 15/09/2024 17:21

Yes.

Only two long-is walks and a short one, when it rains. They usually get four walks a day.

Dolliesdisasterousdayout · 15/09/2024 17:21

My dogs are idiots if they don’t get walked. They have too much energy!

I like rainy walks (I wear waterproof trousers and coat) because I will get in the bath to warm up if it’s cold.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 15/09/2024 17:22

If I skip a walk it’s more likely to be because it’s hot and sunny tbh.

Absolutely this.

MistyMoonlight · 15/09/2024 17:22

I've had a hard enough job convincing mine to go out for a pee in the garden, let alone out for a walk! She's never been one for the rain and as she's got older she makes her disapproval of it much clearer. It's no fun trying to walk a dog that doesn't want to be walked.
ETA: she doesn't even want to come out in the fields with me to do the farm rounds, which she usually loves, because rabbits! so it's not like it's because I don't want to be out in it, I'm out for hours all weathers regardless!

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/09/2024 17:24

Livelovebehappy · 15/09/2024 17:14

Thank you AdviceNeeded2024.

The thing is, I don’t really know that the walks are adequate, or if I’m short changing them, and it’s just something I researched online before I got them, for this particular breed. So I run with that. Although they aren’t destructive, seem happy (as happy as a whippet can look - they’ve pretty much got just the one expression going on!). I guess it’s a case of seeing the super long daily walks and stimulating daily indoor play some talk about on here, which can sometimes make me feel the way I do.

No problem 😊

If they are bored and depressed they will likely be destructive, naughty or sometimes very withdrawn. So chewing things etc. (unless a pup)

I think sometimes we can totally underestimate how much sniffing on walks benefits dogs, it’s mentally good for them. I have to remind myself of this when I’m taking mine and she dawdles for the first 20 mins sniffing anything and everything and I just want to get going! The walk has to be meaningful, if you are dragging them for an hour three times a day and they don’t enjoy it, what’s the point, they won’t get anything out of it. And as they age we have to adjust, there’s no blanket rule for any breed or dog.

Perhaps yours get more interaction at home with you and your family too, which is very important for dogs so don’t compare and don’t beat yourself up.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/09/2024 17:29

Another one with a refusenik dog. GirlDog will grudgingly go out and wee right outside the door if I hold an umbrella, but BoyDog hates the rain, will cower, shake and refuse to dog under such horrible circumstances.

moodiemoo · 15/09/2024 17:30

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/09/2024 17:11

Ah, I hope it hasn't put you off.

I read a lot of threads on here where posters don't come back and I can totally see why sometimes!

The vast majority of posters have been great but a few have been pretty vitriolic, assuming dog abuse because of a potential missed walk when my dog is happily snoozing? It’s such a nuclear response to a totally innocuous situation. My dog is a happy-go-lucky, contented, well-adjusted 8 year old Labrador so I guess other people’s opinions on my level of care are irrelevant, but it was a bit of a surprise as I asked my question pretty naively 😆 He’s insured, he gets great quality food, medication as appropriate (flea/worm/vaccinations obviously, I thought this would be assumed) company all day (I wfh), no separation anxiety when I do leave (he just hops on the sofa and snoozes), walks, playtime in the garden with a ball (fortunate to have a big garden), training which is more like fun-time playing and bonding…what more could a dog want, in my opinion. But I felt guilty about not feeling up to going out today, hence my post! I really didn’t think I needed to explain his entire situation as I was more interested in what other people do, but there we are.

OP posts:
mylittleworld563 · 15/09/2024 17:30

I have 2 greyhounds who really don't like to go out in the rain and look at me with sad eyes, but they enjoy it once we're out. So we all get our coats on and go out even for 15-20mins.

It's good for them to get out and about everyday.

LilBowWow · 15/09/2024 17:33

You just need to ignore the ott responses @moodiemoo. They’re either daft for thinking there’s a one size fits all approach to dog ownership or they’re trying to get a rise.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 15/09/2024 17:33

moodiemoo · 15/09/2024 17:30

The vast majority of posters have been great but a few have been pretty vitriolic, assuming dog abuse because of a potential missed walk when my dog is happily snoozing? It’s such a nuclear response to a totally innocuous situation. My dog is a happy-go-lucky, contented, well-adjusted 8 year old Labrador so I guess other people’s opinions on my level of care are irrelevant, but it was a bit of a surprise as I asked my question pretty naively 😆 He’s insured, he gets great quality food, medication as appropriate (flea/worm/vaccinations obviously, I thought this would be assumed) company all day (I wfh), no separation anxiety when I do leave (he just hops on the sofa and snoozes), walks, playtime in the garden with a ball (fortunate to have a big garden), training which is more like fun-time playing and bonding…what more could a dog want, in my opinion. But I felt guilty about not feeling up to going out today, hence my post! I really didn’t think I needed to explain his entire situation as I was more interested in what other people do, but there we are.

He sounds like a very content dog with a wonderful loving owner 😊🐾

Ilovelurchers · 15/09/2024 17:39

How easily you can get away with dropping a walk entirely depends on the dog and other contextual factors, size, health, age and temperament of dog, availability of alternative exercise and enrichment (such as garden), etc.

We luckily have a few places we can drive to where our dog can safely be let out of the car for 10 minutes while we sit in the car having a cup of tea, so in extremes we might do that. He hates the rain so 10 minutes is the maximum he would want if it is belting down. He actually is the sort of dog who can go a day without a walk on occasion if he has to, tho obviously we take him out if we can.

But your health MUST come first. No human should endanger themselves for their dog, firstly because humans are more important than dogs (and I fucking love dogs - but they just are), and secondly because your dog will suffer more in the long run if your illness is prolonged by not resting when you need to.

Anyone who thinks it is appropriate for a sick person to force themselves out in terrible weather, in order to avoid a dog feeling slightly bored and frustrated for one day, seriously needs to sort their priorities!

Ideally, if one person is ill, a friend or family member or even a paid dog walker might take the dog out (depending on current financial situation). But that isn't always possible.

In short, I would advise OP, and anyone, to do their best by their dog (assessing the dog's unique situation and needs) but to prioritise their own health and wellbeing.

GoldenPineapple15 · 15/09/2024 17:41

This reply has been deleted

This was the work of a previously banned poster.

Me too 😀

Choochoo21 · 15/09/2024 17:44

ThisBlueCrab · 15/09/2024 16:49

If you can't be arsed to walk your dog at least twice every day then remove it because the dog deserves far better treatment than you are proudly posting you give it.

My dog absolutely hates the rain and I had to put a plastic sheet out by the back door just so she’ll go to the toilet in the garden.

She didn’t mind it as much when she was young but now she’s older she doesn’t want to get wet.

It would be cruel of me to force her out, knowing that she hates it.

Same as when it’s too hot or icy I won’t walk her because it’s cruel.

If walking your dog means it’s going to suffer in some way, then don’t do it.

busnumbernine · 15/09/2024 17:49

I do with one of my dogs, the other two would rather stay inside on the sofa when it's raining or very cold.

unsync · 15/09/2024 17:57

My dog would refuse to go out in rain, he'd look at me as if I was mad. Snow and wind perfectly acceptable, but rain nope. Even if I managed to get him out he would just stand there, refusing to move, staring accusingly at me. I do miss the stubborn little sod.

UCConfuseMe · 15/09/2024 18:32

I have pugs and if it's raining they piss in the house to avoid getting wet.

They would KILL me if I tried to walk them in the rain

AubrieDog · 15/09/2024 18:42

ThisBlueCrab · 15/09/2024 16:49

If you can't be arsed to walk your dog at least twice every day then remove it because the dog deserves far better treatment than you are proudly posting you give it.

So what if its the dog that can't be arsed? Dogs can have off days/tired days just like we do, just like kids do. Sometimes they want/need a quiet "pyjama" day at home. Some days mine get no walks, other days three or four walks, depends on weather and mood.