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While walk time is the best time of day for many dogs, some are fair-weather walkers and don’t like to go out if it’s cold, rainy, or too hot. Small dogs, sighthounds, and hairless breeds in particular can struggle with walking in the rain and cold weather. On the other hand, large and double-coated breeds may be uncomfortable and reluctant when walking in hot, humid weather.
Walking dogs in bad weather can be a challenge for dog owners, but it’s possible to help change your dog’s attitude toward it.
Create Positive Associations With Walks
Regardless of what kind of weather your dog doesn’t like, it’s important to focus on helping your dog build positive associations with being out in that weather. We don’t want to force dogs out into weather they don’t like; instead, we want to shift their opinion about going out and walking. While many dogs love walks and the act of going out is rewarding, for others, the walk itself isn’t enriching.
The best way to build your dog’s comfort level when going walking in bad weather is to add value to the experience. This is especially important for dogs who don’t find walks themselves especially rewarding. To add value to the walk, we want to add reinforcements and have a high rate of reinforcement. For example, if you have a highly food-motivated dog, incorporating lots of treats into your walks is a great way to get your dog comfortable walking in bad weather. On the other hand, if you have a dog who is toy-obsessed, you can incorporate stopping to play fetch off-leash in a safe, fenced-in area or with a long-line leash, or incorporate tug games into your walk.
By adding in treats, toys, and play, you can help override the negative feelings your dog may have about the weather and make the walk more rewarding.
Have Weather Appropriate Dog Gear
A key reason many dogs struggle to walk in bad weather is that it’s physically uncomfortable. Some dogs dislike the sensation of rain hitting their body as they walk. Small dogs and those with low body fat may struggle to stay warm enough in bad weather and thus find walking physically painful or uncomfortable. Providing your dog with appropriate weather protection and gear can make walking in bad weather more comfortable.
A properly fitted, water-resistant coat can keep dogs warm while out walking, and prevent them from getting wet from rain or snow. When dogs are warm and dry, they’re more comfortable and more likely to enjoy walks. Alternatively, for heavily coated dogs who overheat easily, a cooling vest can help your dog regulate their temperature better and be more comfortable during walks in hot weather.
Appropriately fitted shoes or boots are also important equipment to make walks more comfortable and safer for your dog in bad weather. Dog shoes can protect paws from burning on hot sidewalks, getting cut by ice, or being injured by chemical deicer in the winter. Make sure any protective clothing you select for your dog is fitted correctly and doesn’t restrict your dog’s movement.
You’ll also want to introduce your dog to the clothes at home when they’re calm and relaxed. Start by letting your dog explore the clothing item, and praise and treat your dog for any interest in it. Then, place the clothing on your dog, praise and treat, and remove the clothing. After a few repetitions, you can begin keeping your dog in their clothes for longer periods, and start bringing them outside to walk with a coat or shoes on.
Be sure to allow dogs to wear protective gear only with supervision and remove jackets and shoes if your dog appears distressed in any way.
Keep Walks in Rain or Snow Short
If your dog is reluctant to go outside and walk in certain weather, don’t force them to walk for long periods. Keep walks short, and start to increase their length only when your dog is comfortable. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard and your dog needs to walk to relieve themselves, you can head home with your dog as soon as they “go.” Very quickly, dogs will learn that if they urinate or defecate, they’ll be allowed to return inside. This can help dogs learn to potty quickly and prevent them from getting overwhelmed while walking.
If walking is usually how you provide your dog with enrichment, it’s helpful to provide cognitive enrichment toys or introduce indoor scent work games to provide enrichment without going outside. By keeping your dog’s walks short during bad weather, you can prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. If your dog becomes more comfortable walking in bad weather by pairing walks with treats, play, and toys, you can slowly increase the distance you walk.
Pick the Right Time to Walk
Sometimes we don’t have an option for when we walk dogs, but when possible, try to select a time of day that’s best for your weather-averse dog. For example, for dogs who struggle with the heat, try walking only during the coolest parts of the day — in the early morning and at night. For dogs who don’t like walking in rainy weather, check forecasts to see when stormy conditions are expected to be worse, and avoid walking during those times.
Changing up your walk routes may also be helpful. Walking primarily in tree-covered areas or in city areas with overhead scaffolding can be useful for dogs who don’t like the sensation of rain falling on them. Another option if you’re walking primarily for exercise is to bring your dog to dog-friendly stores, such as large pet supply shops and some hardware stores, for walking during poor weather.