It's raining AGAIN! Look at it coming down...we need to start thinking about building an ark or growing gills. Since rainy days and dogs can create all kinds of havoc and discord, I thought I'd share some tips that I use every time it rains.
Tip #1 - Hand Walk Your Dog! Most dogs do not like getting wet. Even water lovin' dogs like labs don't care for going outside in the rain to potty. And many dogs won't. They will either hold it - which is bad for them - or pee somewhere inside - which is bad for you. Often pet professionals hear about sudden housebreaking lapses when it's wet or cold (or worse, cold and wet!) and worry their pet is sick or maybe "acting out". If your dog suddenly starts 'going' in the house when the weather turns icky, it's probably neither of those things. He probably just wants to pee where it's warm and dry and he feels comfortable. I think we all can relate to that! So leash up Fido, grab a baggie and take him for a quick walk - on a leash - whenever it's time for a bathroom break.
Tip #2 - Pick Up Poop ASAP! While we're on the subject of potty breaks and leash walking...it's time for Tip #2 (haha, get it?!) Pick up your dogs poop immediately. I mean, you should be doing this anyway, especially if you leash walk your dog. Not only is leaving poop laying around gross, but it is a fabulous way to transfer parasites and diseases to both other pets and wild animals, and to humans, especially little kids. It's also illegal and you can get fined. Anyway, it's the right thing to do, so pick up your poo! I know when it's wet or icy out it's really tempting to leave doody patrol for "later". You know, when it's nicer and you really feel like spending a gorgeous day picking up animal waste! Guilty! I think about it too. But when it's rainy, especially if it's going to rain for awhile, the poo will start to break out, fall apart, getting all squishy, soggy and hard to pick up. It's really best to just pick it up as soon as it hits the ground and get it over with. Grab a grocery bag when you leave the house (or your handy poop bag holder available in purty colors here at Clip Clip Hooray), even if you don't think your dog is going to poop. Because if you don't have a bag, you know he will! Just bag it up before it gets water logged and your life will be much better.
Tip #3 - Keep Cologne by the Door! If your dog is wet, he probably will go tearing through your house shaking and rolling on everything. When Haiku comes in from the rain she goes nuts! Shaking, rolling on the rugs, "sharking" on the sofa (you know, where they push themselves frantically with their hind legs why rubbing their face and shoulders on the cushions?) and generally doing everything she can to make everything in the house smell like Wet Dog. So I keep a bottle of pet cologne by the front door and give her a spritz or two before I take her leash off. At least then my sofa has a chance of smelling like Blackberries and Vanilla rather than wet dog. Plus it will help cover up the Wet Dog smell on your dog. It's another thing that will make your life better. Clip Clip Hooray has a selection of dog colognes, from sweet to floral to fruity to um, uh...we have lots of different scents! Yeah. Like Orange, Rainforest, Pomegranate, Sugar Cookie, Puppermint, Honey Lavender, Gingerbread and more. This is a good way to keep your pup smelling "salon fresh" in between groomings or baths, too.
There ya go. Three Rainy Day tips that I, personally, use every rainy day. The best part? Clip Clip Hooray has everything you need to help you out! Collars and leashes in all colors and sizes, colognes in all scents and poop bag holders and refills, also in all colors and patterns! So stop on in and take a look. We'll all get through it together!
