Dance in the rain with your puppy, so they will be confident in the rain as an adult.
If you really want to know why your dog doesn’t like the rain, think back to when they were a puppy that was potty training. Was it cold and rainy outside ever? What did your behavior say when the wind was blowing and it was 10 degrees outside? Did you shiver and hold your arms crossed across your body? Did you constantly complain and want to rush?
Dogs communicate primarily through body language. When I get a puppy, I plan ahead for the weather and potty training time. If it’s going to be cold and rainy, I have my coats, hoodies, gloves, boots, and hats ready at the door we exit. If my dog gets cold easily, I have their coat waiting too.
No matter what the weather is I walk the same pace, always reward, and I don’t just run in when they are done. If they think pottying gets them to be able to run right in when the weather is bad… just think of when the weather is good. You will never get the little booger to pee because they don’t want their fun to be over! When I have a puppy that is nervous acting about changes in weather, I am go prepared to play. When I get caught without treats or toys, I play chase and I dance! Sometimes I just use it as an excuse to dance!
The goal here is to get them comfortable with pottying no matter what. The goal is that when they are an adult, you can send them out on their own and they don’t have to have you holding their paw. We want to raise independent dogs, not dogs that think the rain will make them melt. Go out and do some shopping, if you are thinking of getting a new dog. Staying warm and dry can mean all the difference in how your body language is perceived.