Are Dogs Afraid of Rain?

You have a new dog and they are housebroken and using the dog door or going out to potty just as they should. One rainy day you come home to find they chose to go “inside.”

What’s different today? Rain! It doesn’t seem right they would be afraid of rain, does it? They are, after all, dogs. Setting aside that they are dogs and being afraid of rain may not make sense to us, they should be introduced to this phenomenon – some more than others.

Water-type dogs may act like someone just blessed them with water coming from the sky.  Other dogs, like my Pit, Olive, would hug the wall under the eave and find the closest place to go whether it was concrete, grass, rock, brick, etc.

Considering that some people use a spray bottle to deter their dog from barking or doing something it shouldn’t, why would they willingly walk out into the line of fire, i.e., rain!

So. . .when a storm is coming or something that your dog has not yet experienced (extreme wind, cold or hot temperatures) be prepared for a little insecurity or reservation on their part and a little more time and patience on yours.  It will help their confidence if you go out with them and let them see that it is all ok.