Dog refusing to go potty in the rain

It all started when monsoon season arrived. I live in dry Arizona where there are dust storms, scorpions and cactuses and rain is a pretty rare occurrence... until monsoon season arrives. I really did not have a clue what monsoon season was all about, until it started...

My dogs have been doing their business for a whole year at nine o'clock PM every evening. This is right after they have dinner and nature calls. I never had a problem until it started...

It started raining every day at 8:00 PM. What a terrible coincidence! I never thought it was a problem other than inconvenient but here it started. Both my dogs followed me to their potty spot in the corner of the yard and went back towards inside!

I couldn't believe my eyes. These are the dogs sharing the wild wolf genes that should be used to ice, rain, wind and whatever comes their way. Instead there they were acting like two kittens that didn't want to get wet. I decided I was not going to lose the battle. I called them to me. They ALWAYS come when called instead they were there staring at me from under the porch, like if they wanted to come but were afraid to.

Tired of getting soaking wet, I then put a leash on them and took them to their potty spot. Still nothing. ... My female actually layed down on the ground in submission. I knew this was not going to be an easy task yet though I knew that they had to go potty bad.

I never gave up that night, it took an hour but they actually went at the end. Of course, I praised like crazy that night, but I also felt like people must have thought I was crazy to stay out soaking wet for so long, just to make my point that they were not going back inside until they went potty.

Nowadays, things are getting a bit better. Here are some good guidelines should you have a "rain, rain go away or I will not poop until another day" dog.

1) Get your dog used to water.

Did you notice how I said that dogs share the same genes as wolves and should care less about water? Well, domestication has spoiled our dogs. Dogs in the wild must get wet if they want to eat. Domesticated dogs rarely get wet nowadays. So getting your dog used to getting wet is vital. Get a garden hose and let your dog play with the water. Your dog will have lots of fun! I was reluctant to believe this at first but after being shy a few minutes my dogs had a blast playing in the water!

2) Feed on wet grass

Rain was not the only problem. My female actually seemed to hate walking on the wet grass. Well, tough luck, if your dog wants to eat, he must go in the wet grass. If it is has not recently rained, lightly make the grass humid with a garden hose. The dog will start to associate wet grass with food, or at least will learn that wet grass is nothing to worry about.

3) Let them walk

Walking stimulates elimination. Take your dog for a walk in the rain. Sooner or later the urge will come. My dogs went from an hour walk to less than thirty minutes until they went potty. It may be tough at first but they will get used to it and shorten the time to go potty.

4) Invest in a large umbrella

I really would avoid this, as the dog may get too used to the umbrella. However, if you are looking for short cuts this may work. Doggy boots may be helpful as well as would a dog rain coat. But be aware: should one of these items be missing, your dog will go back to categorically refusing to go potty.

5) Wait until your dog really needs to go

This has worked some times. I hear it is raining outside so I will delay thier potty time. Let's say instead of 9 PM they go at 10:30 PM. It is a good sign when my pups are going back and forth towards the door whining. Then once out they are upset because of the rain but the urge has grown so much that they could care less.

Monsoon season is over now in Arizona. I worry now that the lack of rain will make them forget all the training and problems may arise again next summer. Now that I know though I will get them prepared for monsoon season in advance by letting them play in the water once again and feeding in wet grass. We will see what happens!