Walking Your Puppy or Dog in the Rain: What New Dog Owners Need to Know

A practical guide for new puppy and dog owners on safety, preparation, and managing the rain in the UK.

So we all have images of our future life with our dogs.
We see our dog running towards us with a mere whisper of their recall cue, trotting along beside us on a soft, loose lead, or sharing a relaxed, chilled-out pit stop at a local café.

When we picture this, the weather in our mind’s eye is often “Goldilocks” weather. Not too hot, not too cold, not too wet, not too dry.

This, however, is not the reality of UK weather.

In the UK, we can have about five different “weathers” all in the same day. So let’s talk about the rain.

Is going for a walk a good idea today?

The first thing to assess is whether a walk is a good idea in the first place.

Age, ill health, and body characteristics can all play a role in this decision. What’s fine for one dog may not be appropriate for another, particularly when they are very young, elderly, or unwell.

It’s worth having these conversations with your vet so you have a clear idea about what is safe, and what is not, for your individual puppy or dog.

Prepare yourself for wet weather:

Waterproof over-trousers
A lightweight pair can make all the difference to your enjoyment of a walk. They also help keep the chill off in blustery conditions.

A waterproof jacket
This is a must. Jackets are usually given a waterproof rating called a hydrostatic head (HH), measured in millimetres. The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric. As a rough guide, 5,000 mm is suitable for light rain, while around 10,000 mm is probably a good all-round choice for regular dog walking in the UK.
Look for taped or sealed seams, as water will always find the weakest point. Zips and pockets should have storm flaps, as these are common places for rain to get in.
Buy slightly bigger. I personally go for oversized men’s jackets. I might not look catwalk-ready, but the looser, longer fit allows me to layer and keeps more rain off my lower half.

Footwear
There’s nothing worse than soggy trainers. Choose boots with a decent tread to cope with wet, slippery ground.

Keys and phone
Think about how you’re going to carry essentials. Pop them in a sandwich bag to add an extra layer of waterproof protection.

I personally use a dedicated military-style tactical bag to carry my phone, keys, whistle, clicker and poo bags. These have drainage holes at the bottom to aid drying, and I line mine with an old-fashioned lined drawstring washbag to extra waterproofing.

Preparing your dog for the rain:

Lots of dogs, particularly smooth-coated breeds and young or older dogs, will appreciate a waterproof coat. It helps keep them warm, reduces the amount of water they shake off when you get home, and makes drying quicker.
Have a dedicated dog-drying towel ready. Either take one to your vehicle or leave it close to the door you use to re-enter the house.
If your dog tends to do drying-off zoomies, use management before you go out. Close internal doors so you already have a contained area ready for when you return, rather than trying to manage a wet, excited dog while also juggling keys, leads, and towels.
Think about where you are going to dry out your equipment. Leaving them in a damp, soggy pile will reduce their life span and make things smelly.

Be prepared to change your route:

A short, well-managed walk in poor weather can be far more beneficial than a long, miserable one where everyone is cold, wet, and fed up.

Walking in the rain is part of life with a puppy or dog in the UK. Being weather ready and planning ahead can make walks far more enjoyable for you and your dog.
Pippa x

Categories: : dog walking, puppy training