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?

It's exactly the same principle though.

As long as it's not every day, or even every week, it will be fine.

And nobody is saying that it's okay to never walk your dog when it's raining.

Just that missing the odd day when it's absolutely torrential is absolutely fine

My dog will refuse a proper walk even if it's barely raining. I'd walk our usual walks in any amount of rain but she won't have any of it.
She will do what she needs to do as quickly as possible then I have to entice her to the nearest poo bin and if I then try to walk in any direction away from home she will plant her feet and refuse to move.

I wouldn’t get stressed about missing the occasional walk, it’s not the end of the world. That said, my dogs all have rain coats etc, so generally we do go out regardless, but if it’s windy as well as rainy then maybe not as they all loath that kind of weather.

I live in Scotland apparently we’ve had a record breaking wet summer (and spring 24 winter 23/24 and autumn 23) our fields are already flooded as are many of our roads. If Indidnt walk in the rain mine they would rarely get walked. My young dog hates the rain but I just ignore his protestations. I’ve invested in a long waterproof coat and amazing wellies essential for living here.

Mine won’t get out the car if it even looks wet !! He’s not interested in the walking side of things anyway, a short sniff and he’s happy. Always been a feet planter my one.

I have a breed that is well known for refusing to go outside if it's raining. She does know that she has to go out to toilet if it's wet but getting her to go on a walk would be miserable for all of us.

It did clear up a bit this afternoon though so we've managed to get her out for an hour.

Not if it's really chucking it down as he just sits and refuses to move!! He hates going out in the rain, he refuses to even go in the garden and will hold his bladder for HOURS!!

After having a horse for seven years, walking the dogs in the rain is a doddle. Wrap up, get your boots on and get out there 😝

Mine is quite wedded to his routine and still wants to go out at the appointed time whatever the weather. Windy he dislikes more than rain. He isn't keen to pee or poo in the garden. He'll only do that if desperate and no other option so I guess that's a reason to go out and once you are out and you're wet anyway I weirdly rather enjoy it.

I've walked a dog everyday for the last 25 years, apart from when I've been in holiday when the dog sitter has done it.

I have also never ever, and would never ever, own a 'doggy raincoat'.

I use him as the walk barometer - if he’s happy to go out then I am. I have Muck Boots, waterproof trousers and a massive dog walking coat so I don’t get wet, Luckily he’s not one for a torrential downpour or that horrible freezing almost-sideways winter rain, so on those days we stay in and play extra games, scent work and obstacle courses.

Are there dogs that need raincoats? I've had a selection of terriers, labs and lurchers over the years and never considered making them wear raincoats!

Normal rain yes, heavy downpour no, she's a Pomeranian and doesn't like getting wet.

Mine does - on the cold, winter days when it’s freezing and chucking it down he’s much happier with a waterproof coat.

My dog won't walk if it's raining , he goes on strike. He absolutely hates getting wet.

I would wait for a break in the rain to get him outside though.

3 times a day for our dog. And definitely in the rain.

Exception to the 3x per day is if it’s particularly hot - then we tend to do early morning and late night and the rest of the day is spent popping out to the grass in the back garden

On days where it's really wet and cold, my beagle is much happier with some kind of jacket on him, otherwise he shivers and looks really unhappy.

I wouldn't say it was necessary but it makes muddy winter walks much easier for both of us!

My v young rescue really hates heavy rain and will just cower and try and run to find cover, we go out in light rain though.
I've found recently that having a day off any outside stimulation can really help my dog be calmer and she seems very happy with a very odd day off walking despite loving it most of the time, I play it by ear but probably once every 3 weeks ends up being a no walk day usually if she has had a busy few days. At home she really enjoys training, garden time, food puzzles etc so still gets stimulation.

Ah. Mine are always happy to go out in whatever weather. I have horses so need to go out at least twice a day in all weathers

I go out in all weathers but my dog is a working dog. There's no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.

However I do know dogs who hide when it's raining/cold/snowing; they're usually not working breeds!

Yes, shorter walks maybe but definitely still walks in all weathers. We have a collie so he can't not have walks really or he starts running around the house

Dogs like greyhounds (among others) - very little fur, thin skin and no body fat really benefit from coats because they get cold so easily

Also dogs that should have a load of fur but it’s been cut off.

Theres other reasons too I’m sure