Why Do Dachshunds Hate The Rain?
There is a commonly held belief that dachshunds as a breed hate the rain, or in fact water in general. Now, I will start by saying that this is a huge generalisation, and certainly doesn’t apply to all dachshunds by any means! But from my experience of owning a dachshund, and from knowing several other dachshund owners, it does certainly seem to ring true for some (if not most) of these little dogs. It doesn’t take much searching to find examples of memes or social media posts on the topic of dachshunds in the rain, which also suggests it is a breed typical trait. In this post we will cover some of the possible reasons why (some) dachshunds might hate the rain, and some tips for how you can get your dachshund more comfortable with going out in wet weather.
If you’re interested in reading more about the breed and some of their traits, we have also previously written a dachshund breed guide which covers some of the typical characteristics and a post on things I’ve learnt as a dachshund owner.
Why dachshunds might hate the rain
Dachshunds are a small breed dog and their long bodies with short legs and a thin coat does put them in closer proximity to the ground, and therefore more susceptible to being splashed by water. It also means that they typically have a lower tolerance for cold and wet conditions, as the rain can make them shiver and feel more uncomfortable, which can also create negative associations with the experience of being outside in the rain and cold. As a result, some dachshunds may find rain unpleasant and uncomfortable.
There are also theories that as dachshunds were originally bred as a hunting dog, they are naturally scent hounds, and therefore the rain can make it harder for them to follow this natural instinct.
How can you help your dachshund cope with going out in the rain
Consistency is key to avoid accidents in the house
One of the elements we have previously covered in our post on how to toilet train your dachshund puppy was to establish a consistent routine to get them used to going outside to toilet while they are learning. The same is true for going out to toilet in the rain, it is best to approach this consistently, and ideally while they are still small so that they become used to going out regardless of the weather. Every 20-30 mins is a good starting point, especially when it’s raining and make sure to persevere with this strategy even if your dachshund is initially reluctant.
Positive reinforcements and rewards
Alongside establishing a consistent routine for your dachshunds when it comes to going outside in the rain, it’s really important to pair this with a good amount of positive reinforcements and rewards or treats to help encourage your dachshund that going outside in the rain is a good thing. We will always positively reinforce our boy for going outside to toilet in the rain by giving him one of his favourite treats as a reward, which helps him understand that it’s not a bad association. He still often won’t go for a walk in the rain (and often will flat out refuse to move) but we no longer have accidents in the house on a rainy day, as he’ll do a quick dash out into the garden and back.
Invest in a good coat or jumper for your dachshund
We have previously covered a post on our favourite dachshund jumpers and coats from Equafleece, which although made of fleece material are also water resistant, so a good choice for keeping your dachshund dry in cold, wet weather. It is quite hard to find dachshund-specific clothing for wet and cold weather, so we love that Equafleece has options for dachshunds, in an array of sizes, and this has become our go-to choice for our dog over the years. We have tried other coats and jackets, but these have tended either to not fit well (due to being generic sizing for small dogs) or our dachshund has hated wearing them. It’s important to find a coat or jumper that your dog is going to be happy wearing, to encourage them to go out when it’s wet.
If all else fails, speak to a professional dog trainer
Dog trainers are qualified to help with a number of different training related issues, so if you are struggling to get your dog to go outside in the rain - especially relating to toilet training, you may wish to seek the advice of a professional dog trainer to help you overcome the issue. This isn’t something we have ever needed to do, as the above tips have helped us overcome the issue with ease.
It’s important to remember that every dog is an individual, and reactions to different stimuli like rain or cold weather can vary, but if you dachshund does hate the rain, hopefully some of the tips outlined in this post will help your dog to overcome them.
