“It’s raining cats and dogs!” you exclaim, looking out the window onto the dreary street outside. A sideways glance reveals your trusty four-legged friend’s restless pacing, letting you know it’s time for his regular walk. Your forever loyal companion needs to do their business, rain or no rain. But where can your dog poop when it’s pouring outside?
It’s a dilemma faced by dog-owners worldwide, sparking ingenuity, debate, and sometimes, unintentionally comedic solutions. For those of you searching for the ideal answer to a doggy-doo dilemma, let’s embark on a unique journey into this fascinating topic.
To begin, few dog owners may know that dogs have a natural, instinctive response to the weather – including rain. An experiment conducted by Dr. Hart, a professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, revealed intriguing aspects about dogs’ bowel behavior. He found that canines have an inbuilt preference for relieving themselves along the north-south axis of the Earth’s magnetic field. However, under conditions like strong winds or heavy rain, this behavior can be disrupted.
While this knowledge may not directly provide an answer to our rainy-day predicament, it does help us understand the additional discomfort our furry friends might face in stormy weather. So, bear that in mind while choosing the right place for them, making the ordeal less stressful for both of you.
This leads to our first handy tip – designate an outdoor ‘potty area’. Train your pet to associate a specific outdoor corner or spot with their bathroom needs. Much like us, dogs often appreciate a dedicated, private spot to do their business. Not only does this provide a familiar area for them to go to, but it also allows you to keep the mess to a particular range. During rainy days, you can use a large umbrella or a makeshift cover to shield this area from getting too wet.
But what if it’s more than just rain, and you’re facing a veritable storm outside? Some alternative options might now enter your consideration. Luxury pet-product manufacturers have predicted this predicament, creating indoor potties or potty pads. These absorbent, leak-proof contraptions resemble small patches of grass and can fool our intelligent canine companions into thinking they’re outdoors.
This sounds perfect, right? But remember, using these items involves another challenge – convincing your dog to use them. Dogs are creatures of habit, and many may refuse to entertain the idea of ‘going’ indoors. So, while this solution can be handy, the training period could be drawn-out and patience-testing.
Speaking of pets being creatures of habit, sometimes the simplest solution may be to adjust your dog’s bathroom schedule around the weather forecast. Nowadays, there are numerous dog-oriented weather apps available that provide predictions specifically to help you plan Fido’s bathroom breaks. So, instead of having your dog go in the middle of a shower, you could reschedule their walk just before an expected downpour.
However, if Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, invest in some practical rainy day gear. Just as we don raincoats and boots, dogs, too, can sport waterproof jackets and booties to protect them from getting drenched. Some dogs may dislike the unfamiliar sensation at first, but with some patience and loads of treats, your pooch should get used to it soon.
Here’s another interesting fact that you may not have heard of before. The Canine Behavioral Science team in the U.K. observed that dogs are often unsettled by the ‘amplified sound’ of rain. So, a calming, noise-blocking device such as earmuffs for dogs can help make the wet-weather walks less intimidating for your fearful friend.
In conclusion, rain or shine, your dog’s call of nature can never be ignored. While the dog’s pooping predicament on a rainy day is a matter of concern, with a little creativity and lots of patience, this too can be turned into an interesting aspect of pet-owning.
The rainy day poop challenge also presents an opportunity for us to empathize more deeply with our canine companions, to understand their hesitation or refusal to ‘go’ in the rain. Adapting your routine and environment to suit your pet’s comfort is a testament to the unspoken bond of love and care shared between you and your fur baby. At the end of the day, perhaps this issue is more than just about where should your dog do its business when the heavens open. It’s also about what lengths we are willing to go for our beloved pets.
