Toilet training but doesn't like rain...

[Mircass]

Ralph is now almost 11 weeks (where did that go?) and we were doing really well on the toilet-training front.  Every day for the past two weeks, 8 times out of 10 he would go outside for both poo and wee, with reward treats and "good boy"s after.  Until the rain started.  Now he usually doesn't move from the door, even if I'm out there with him or he'll start to squat to poo, then suddenly stop and run to the door.  He then goes toilet within minutes of coming back in.

I've read posts about some cockers not liking to go for walks in the rain but to not go toilet?  Should I worry that this may become the norm during bad weather or is it normal puppy behaviour that he'll grow out of?

[elaine.e]

I think it's quite normal with young puppies. I remember my first Cocker puppy going through a phase of not wanting to stay out in the rain then dashing back in and peeing on the carpet . He soon outgrew it though.

Just keep persevering with taking him outside. If you let him back in and he hasn't performed keep a very close watch on him and take him out again a couple of minutes later. Hopefully by then he'll be close to the point of really needing to go and will oblige

[Redked]

Bonnie arrived during the bad snow last March. She hated the cold snow. I used to stand with her, umbrella over her (I'd just get cold n wet ) and close the back door. As soon as she was weeing or pooing, I'd dash back to the door and open it for her whilst shouting 'do wee' (cue word) and getting treat ready. She learnt very quickly that wee/poo outside = door opens and she would watch the door whilst squatting ready to dash back inside.

We have said that this actually speeded up the toilet training for her (dry in house from about 12 weeks with only 2\3 wee accidents after that time) because she was rewarded with praise, treats and opening the door. So, use the bad weather to your advantage but keep an umbrella handy for Ralph ( not you  ) to keep him dry whilst you are outside. Good luck....it worked for us.

[Geordietyke]

We had heavy rain all day yesterday and Archie absolutely refused to wee or poo outside which didn't help me on the toilet training front    He just stands there looking pathetic and goes as soon as I bring him back in...

[Mudmagnets]

Minstrel's approach was "I'll go out and get wet, if you're coming too"...I also used to close the door - just in case he decided it was warmer inside.

Luckily that is all behind us now (says I with fingers firmly X'd)  But I do still go out with him for his last pee, be it wet or dry, just to make sure, like 

[JeffD]

Teal will hold it for hours rather than go in the garden when its raining, but she is happy to go out in the worst weather if it means off lead and she can dive in all the nice puddles.

[Emilyoliver]

You just have to be consistent and patient  .  And don't give him the opportunity to fail - so don't let him in until he has peformed.  Go outside with pup and stay out until he goes.  And do that every time.  Not pleasant in this weather, but necessary if you want him trained more quickly.  Otherwise inadvertently, he is being rewarded for going inside.   Sounds like he's doing well at 11 weeks.  My 11 month old puppy doesn't like going out to toilet in the rain either, so I've been going out with him (not because he goes in the house - more because he will hold it for ages otherwise).

[MIN]

our first staffie was under the impression that if he got a rain drop or snow flake on him he would melt. come bad weather days he would stand on the door step with just his bum sticking out outsde 

[JULIE NORTH]

Poor pup lol You have to be consistant with any training and this includes toilet training the one time you allow him to not do it outside then you are back to square one , all the hard work you have done is dismissed , he is trying his luck , you don`t like being out in the rain and he doesn`t either but the quicker he gets on with it the quicker you both can be back indoors , try entising him with his favourite toy or treat and if he goes then you can highly reward the behaviour with that valued item straight away

I`ve 2 pups at the mo and their annoying habit is playing instead of toileting and always when I`m in a rush    So I sometimes have to split them up before they will go and they hate the rain too but think I have cracked it now and they rush out pee and rush back  Not holding my breathe quite yet though