have puppy, afraid of rain. won't go outside when needed?

Answer 1

It will grow out of this in time.
If not, you should go and see a behavioural expert and see if they can help, but this can be fairly common with young pups

Answer 2

This is tough. My lab was afraid of thunderstorms and was convinced that every time it rained it would be a thunderstorm so she wouldn't go out either. I just made sure that I watched the weather and tried to get her out before the rain got there. There were many days when we raced home when we saw clouds in the sky because we knew that once she saw rain, she wouldn't go out. Sometimes, if it rained for a long time, we would take her in the car and go to somewhere neutral where we took her out on her leash. She seemed less afraid to leave the car to potty in the rain than she was to leave the house.

Answer 3

Some dogs love the idea of getting wet, others don't. Simply take 'puppy' out with an umbrella and use that to shield it - it'll get used to the rain in time...or at least enough to know it'll just have to put up with it when nature calls.

Answer 4

Try buying a raincoat or possibly even little doggie boots. Some dogs just don't like getting wet and it's not something they'll outgrow or get over.

One of my dogs doesn't like getting wet and has to be forced outside. We try and let her go into the grass on her own and if she won't, we'll pick her up and walk her out into the grass a ways and gently place her down. At this point, she'll usually go ahead and go to the bathroom.

With your puppy, I would just keep picking her up and putting her in the grass. If she follows you, pick her back up and walk her back out. She'll get it at some point. As soon as she is done, immediately take her inside so she'll understand that the quicker she does her business, the quicker she gets to get out of the rain.

Answer 5

Some dogs, like some humans, don't like getting wet. You can teach your dog to tolerate it better, though...

When you have a light, drizzly rain going, load up on tiny bits of dog treat (we use something called a "chicken stick," available at pet stores. It's a thin sausage that holds up well when you snip it into tiny bits with kitchen shears. You're going for lots of little pieces here). Put on your jacket - you're going outside! Act excited, happy. Call your puppy in a high, happy voice. "Oh, boy! We're going outside!"

As soon as you get out, praise and treat! Yay! We went outside! How fun!

Go inside and repeat.

If it's raining and you take your pup outside, as soon as s/he goes, yay! Good puppy! Way to go (we've worked with our dogs so they understand that "better go now" means it's time to do it)!

Dogs are social animals, so they get their cues on whether or not what's going on is a good thing from their pack mates and pack leaders. For example, we had a Sammy who was deaf, so fireworks and storms didn't bother him. Our Borzoi learned from the Sammy that loud noises were no big deal, so even though he could hear, he didn't react.

Down the generations, we now have a Japanese Spitz who has learned from our Basenji (who learned from our Belgian Shepherd dog, who learned from the Borzoi) that fireworks and storms are no big deal. When we were camped under a beachside fireworks display, the Spitz pup looked to the Basenji, who slept through it. Whenever the noise was especially loud, the pup looked to the Basenji, and to us, then went back to sleep.

If you seem happy about going out in the rain, your pup will learn to tolerate it. Maybe not love it (our Basenji doesn't like rain, although she'll go out to relieve herself, or if there's a squirrel outside). Be patient and encouraging and it should get better.

Answer 6

Two miniature dachshunds now adults--- same problem. I am forced to allow them to relieve themselves in the garage when it rains. I think that their bare bellies being so close to the wet ground gives them the willies. As hard lined as I have tried to be I have never been successful with rainy outdoor eliminations. Hate the garage thing, but other than this these are phenomenal little dogs so I am just going to deal with it. Good luck, I will be watching your other answers with interest. PS Tried taking them out with the umbrella, but I think it is their undersides that are the issue.

Answer 7

The best way to cure this problem is to use treats maybe even some people food to bribe it so it will learn to go outside. This might cause it to only go outside when you give it a treat which would not be good. So you can just always do your best to teach it that the rain is ok and it is safe for it to go outside. :)

Answer 8

Take an Umbrella and go with your dog outside so they may potty under it with you. It won't shelter them completely but the smaller amounts of rain droplets will slowly help them adjust to the water and realize it won't hurt them. It will also help them lose their fear if you are out in it showing that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Answer 9

Take her for a walk in the rain every time it rains. She will get used to it faster that way.

Answer 10

Try to bring it outside and close the door behide you.
So it wouldn't go back in.
Stay outside with your puppy for a few mins.
If it starts whining and sitting at the door.
Then look on yahoo to see what else to do.
Hope I helped.

Answer 11

Well,I dont like getting wet and cold outside either.If he has to use the bathroom,take him out with you on a leash and comfort him,have an umbrella over him,so he doesnt get too wet.Or when you get back inside warm him quickly.