6 Tips to Get Your Dog to Potty When It Rains

Believe it or not, dogs refusing to go outside when it rains is a pretty common issue with all types of dogs–big or small, male or female. Boy, it can be frustrating, especially when it rains for days straight. If your dog stops in her tracks the moment she steps outside on a rainy day, give these tried and true dog training tips a try. They really work. Pssst I live with a dog that hates going outside on drizzly days. He even hates stepping on wet grass. Yes, he’s a big old male Rottweiler. 🙂

Everyone Hates Getting Rained On

If you’ve ever been caught in a rainstorm, you understand sitting in wet clothes is torture. The same applies to your dog. They don’t enjoy getting wet and having to sit around with wet fur. With that said, many dogs need to potty outside, so what should you do?

Grab Your Leash and Umbrella

By far, this is the easiest way to potty your dog during the rain. When it’s potty time, attach a leash to your dog and grab your umbrella as you both head outside in the yard. For small dogs, you can most certainly pick them up and place them on the grass to potty. For larger dogs, grab several yummy treats and lure them outside.

Once you’re outside on the grass, wait patiently while keeping yourself and your dog covered with an umbrella. Ninety-percent of dogs will usually potty using this technique. They just want to get it over with, so they can go back inside. As your dog potties, slowly praise her for doing such a good job and reward with a treat once inside. Now, you can certainly give her a treat once she’s done, but most dogs would rather head inside than chew on a treat on wet grass.

After a few rainy day practice sessions, your dog will learn to run out and potty quickly, then run like mad for the door. 

For the other 10 percent of dogs that just stand there, looking up at you with pleading eyes while holding up a foot, stand still and wait outside for 10 minutes. By standing still, you’re keeping rain off you and your dog with the umbrella. Plus, it prevents your dog from pulling you toward the backdoor. If, after 10 minutes, your dog still hasn’t gone to the bathroom, maybe you need another plan.

Set Up a Covered Potty Area

It’s all about choices, and some of us are unable or unwilling to stand outside with our dogs in pouring cold rain. That’s totally fine. Instead, try pottying your dog in a covered area indoors or outdoors.

When my older dogs needed to potty while it was pouring rain outside, I placed several potty pads under our covered backyard deck. If you don’t have a covered deck, try placing some type of tarp on the corner of your house. This prevents your senior citizen from getting soaked. For smaller dogs, place potty pads in the bathroom or laundry room on rainy days.

RELATED: Housebreaking a Puppy

Dry Your Dog Afterwards

Completely dry off your dog after he potties outside. Keep large towels next to your backdoor. Don’t only dry your dog’s body, but also wipe her wet feet and tail. On cold, rainy days, I like to quickly blow-dry my dogs, which dries their coat and immediately warms them up.

Try Rain Boots

Personally, I don’t think raincoats really help, especially if your dog has never worn sweaters or clothes before. However, booties do help. I’ve seen it happen many times. Velcro waterproof booties will keep your dog’s feet from getting in direct contact with wet and muddy grass. For Sobek, my Rottweiler, putting rain booties on his feet made all the difference. He’ll actually walk out and potty after it rains. It’s definitely worth a try.

Plan Ahead

Watch your weather forecast and bring your dog outside to potty right before it starts to rain. If it’s pouring rain, wait a few minutes for it to die down before you take your dog outside to potty. It’s not fun being outside during torrential downpours. Also, if you’re heading out for a daily walk, either postpone or reschedule. Remember, you may love walking in the rain, but your dog hates it.

Keep potty sessions extremely short. If it starts to thunder and lightning strikes, bring your dog inside and dry her off.

Use Potty Pads

If your dog is terrified of thunderstorms, I highly recommend either placing potty pads inside your home for small dogs or walking your leashed larger dog out to a covered potty area. For thunder-phobic dogs, it’s not exactly the rain that’s frightening them; it’s the thunder, lightning and changes in barometric pressure that terrifies them.

If your dog hates going outside when it’s raining, she isn’t a wimp. She just doesn’t like getting wet like some people. 🙂