Taking the dog for a walk in the rain is usually not very fun. You get wet, your dog gets wet, and then you get home and before you can race for a towel to dry your dog, you’ve got wet fur and muddy paw prints everywhere.
But there is hope. Take a look at these 3 types of doggy rain gear that could help with this dripping dilemma.
Raincoats
There are many styles originating with the old-fashioned yellow slicker. Most dog raincoats come with a hood to put up over your dog’s head, leaving his eyes and muzzle visible but covering the ears.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00BJB8UV0″ locale=”US” tag=”p51capital07-20″]Guardian Gear’s Rain Jacket[/easyazon_link] is a good example of the basic slicker. You’ll want one that keeps your dog mostly dry and stays firmly in place. Sizing is important — a rain coat that is too big will slide off, and one that is too small will not adequately cover your dog.
Pros:
- Doesn’t cost much
- Keeps the body dry
- Has a reflective stripe for safety
- Has a leash opening
Cons:
- Sizing can be tricky — it’s best to go a size bigger if you have a larger dog.
Raincoats come in many styles, but you can find one that fits both your dog and your budget.
Rain Boots
Nobody likes having to drag out the mop, the vacuum or the carpet cleaner to take care of muddy paw prints. Luckily, there are some great options for footwear as well.
One example is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00RXD5P6G” locale=”US” tag=”p51capital07-20″]Bestpriceam Waterproof Rubber Booties[/easyazon_link]. They are inexpensive and, just like when you wear rain boots, they keep your dog’s feet dry and are pretty easy to get on and off.
The downside is that many dogs don’t like having things attached to their feet. Until your dog gets used to footwear, you may struggle to get your dog to walk normally. Most of the time, dogs will kick their feet around in an effort to dislodge the offending foot attachment, while some may never accept the boots.
Reviewers of dog rain boots say sizing is important. A boot that is too large will slide right off or go flying when your dog kicks his feet. If the boots are too small, they may cause pain.
As you can see in this humorous video, it may take some time for dogs to get adjusted to booties:
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Velcro straps make putting them on and off fairly easy (depends on the dog)
- No more muddy paw prints
Cons:
- Many dogs don’t like the booties, and some may never allow you to put boots on their feet without a fight
- Hard to find for larger dogs
Leash Umbrellas
You may not have seen or heard of these cool items, but there is such a thing as a [easyazon_link identifier=”B00JG2BYK8″ locale=”US” tag=”p51capital07-20″]dog umbrella[/easyazon_link] that is also a leash.
This umbrella works on the same basic principle as an umbrella that you or I would use for ourselves. The only difference is that this one is “upside down.” The umbrella part hangs over your dog, and the handle is in your hand.
Reviews are mixed, with many buyers reporting that the umbrellas are good only for small dogs, and that the handle is awkward to hold because it is rigid. Reviewers also state that the chain is too short; they need to almost literally stand on top of their dogs to use this product, and many dogs are afraid of the umbrella and have a hard time adjusting.
Pros:
- Keeps your dog dry
- No more fighting with your dog to put on actual rain gear
Cons:
- Best for small breeds
- Rigid handle makes holding the umbrella awkward for you
- Chain is too short; you have to stand very close to your dog
- Many dogs fear the umbrella
Taking your dog for a walk is normally an enjoyable activity, but when it rains it can become a real chore. With any luck, though, some of these options above can help make walks fun again for both of you, no matter what the weather may throw at you.
