Louie has trouble going potty (pee or poop) in the rain. He just refuses to do so. It hasn't been a huge problem as it hasn't rained too much and he will pee in the parking garage attached to our apartment building (shhh...). Anyone experienced this before and have some tips? Thanks!

When the weather is really bad I put my little one under a table that I have outside right next to the house to do her business. She won't go otherwise. During big snowstorms the older one will not poop outside. He will pee but not poop. So inside he will actually go into the bathroom and poop right in front of the toilet but we have to pretend that we can't see him doing it. If he knows we are looking he won't poop. This happens about twice a year so I don't really care. My dogs also don't have the insecurity problems Louie does so if I were you I would just make sure he is not on a security camera ha ha ha. Unless you want to set up a pop-up tent.... no, only kidding. Have you tried a large umbrella? I mean the really big one.

Simon, this isn't directly related to the rain, but are you working on teaching him a potty command? Are you praising him every time he goes?

It helps in bad weather to have a command that the dog associates with elimination.

I have used a big umbrella before with my dog when she was a pup, and that worked pretty well.

ditto on the umbrella! It even works when there is a wet snow. The "go Pee" works for me, and when the weather is not great, Maggie gets down quick.

Quadruple (I lost count) on the big umbrella, and for more than one reason. I also want enough rain protection for me so that I'm patient and relaxed when I have a new dog (or a new-to-rain dog).

Lenka, that's funny you mentioned the table! I have pointed out to my not-that-brilliant smaller dogs that under the picnic table is a good choice, and they often remember it.

Simon, if you walk straight to a spot he has used and then stand there with both of you protected, it might help. The walking is often needed to get the peristalsis going, and the used spot, the protection, and you with him might all help.

Don't forget that the walking is often needed .... if it's raining and he's been inside all day, he may well not be able to poop until he gets it moving. You may need to march around the spot you choose until he can get it moving, and you can keep you both under the big umbrella. (I wear my hooded slicker, too, so I'm not getting drenched if I move the umbrella over the dog for a bit.)

I keep the slicker, umbrella, and old towels for the return wipe-off all by the door so it's not a big PITA.

Thanks for the ideas! I did take him out with a huge golf umbrella and walked around to his usual spots, but he didn't even hint at peeing. We do praise him for going outside ("good outside") and have been saying "get busy" when we anticipate him pottying.

We will try walking him to the spot directly and stand there for a bit instead of moving on to his next "spot" after a few seconds.

The pooping hasn't been a problem yet as it hasn't rained for multiple days straight, but the peristalsis and the need to walk around for awhile is good to know.

Off topic positive tidbit, he's been coming out of his crate more and has finally "claimed" the dog bed we got for him weeks ago. In fact he's taking a nap on it right now. Yay!

Simon,

When we first got our Finn we had monsoon rains in Wisconsin. It rained no joke the first week 1/2 we got him. The breeder didnt expose him to rain so it was interesting.

The umbrella works wonders except if its windy. Trying to hold leesh and umbrella and poo bags stink.

We would get Finn running around inside during play and then before he went inside we would quick go outside and walk around. We always kept a towel on the steps because at first Finn hated being wet feet included.

Also in my case Finn wouldnt budge from the overhang. So we would mark his behavior when he would go on the grass and treat, mark for potty in the rain and treat, and then he quickly learned the phrase.. "ok lets go in the house." He now bolts to the front door when he hears that phrase.

It will get better. I cant wait till fall .. *sigh longingly*

Does it rain a lot where you are during fall/winter?