Your furry friend loves a good walk. And you love to indulge them, not to mention it’s become part of the daily routine. But what to do on those rainy days? You know those days, the soakers, it rains all day with the only variable being the strength of the downpour and the wind. But your dog is used to the exercise, routine and stimulation of a walk, now what?
Dogs love routine. When they know what to expect it keeps them calm. Without that routine it can lead to boredom and anxiety. We all want that routine maintained as much as possible. No one wants a bored dog, oh, the trouble they can get into when bored! An anxious dog can make for an anxious pet parent. Limiting boredom and anxiety limits bad behavior and reinforces good behaviors. And, of course, you need for them to go outside for a potty break, even in the rain. Let’s explore some options for this type of day.
One idea is to brave the weather, put rain gear on both of you and get some steps in while your faithful companion gets a few wet sniffs in as well as a needed potty break. Is there anything cuter than a dog in rain gear? Bonus points if you can get booties on their little furry feet. Don’t forget to put the towel close by the door for the return home! And try to get to the towel before the fur shaking begins. Being prepared here is essential to not becoming an anxious or annoyed human!
If after your shortened rain soaked walk your dog is still full of energy, now what? Some indoor play time is always a great alternative. Some good ideas include indoor fetch, toy hide and seek, and some tug of war are all great ways to work off some energy and engage your pet in active play time. You know your dog loves your undivided attention. It could also be a great time to do some review of command training. Even if it’s just reinforcement of basic commands, it can keep you both busy and dry! And, you know your furry friend loves to please you. Take the time to go through some training and engage with one-on-one time reinforced with treats as they progress! You could also try out some indoor agility training to burn off some canine energy.
Does your dog have a doggie friend that would love a play date? What a great day for that! Let them get some energy out and with twice the furry love. And it mixes in a little socialization, it’s a win-win! Or does your dog enjoy doggie daycare? This would be a great way to stay active and have both canine and people attention. These are some great alternatives when the daily walk is altered by a rainy day.
If you are someone with a dog that does not prefer to socialize with other dogs, you could check out some local pet friendly places. Consider places, like schools or campuses, that have covered walkways for a possible alternative walking path. Many larger home improvement stores allow dogs. A stroll through aisles could be just the thing for some activity while browsing for some organizational or home improvement projects. Pet stores are also always a great pet friendly place to venture out and explore. I am positive your dog would love to help you pick out some indoor alternative such as puzzle toys, snuffle mats, or frozen treats. Oh, the number of sniffs in a pet store is limitless, pure doggy heaven.
Hopefully, after some of the above activities your dog will feel inclined to participate in my favorite rainy-day activity. Nap time! Is there any thing better than snuggling up with your best friend for a rainy-day nap? I do not think it is possible.
It may take a bit of creativity to keep your dog entertained and active on those total wash out rain days. But your furry family member is worth the effort and will love you even more for spending that time and energy connecting with them. Keep in mind that Peak City Puppies and Dog Walkers are always up for the challenge of rainy days. We know how important it is to your dog and to you. We are dependable, reliable, employees, not contractors. Whether your pup loves to walk rain or shine or needs coaxing out for a quick potty break during the rain, we are ready to assist as needed. We love dogs and we would love to share some rain soaked and indoor play time photos of the dog in your life with you! Check us out.
