Psycho Rain Dog Meltdown - need ideas

[DixiesMom]

My sweet Baby Dixie absolutely REFUSES to potty outside when it's raining or rained. Yes, even AFTER the rain has stopped it takes almost a DAY before she'll finally go. Again, this baffles (translates: frustrates) the heck out of me because she LOVES playing in snow. She will literally HOLD it ... this time almost 48 hours! And yes, I've got the potty pads down in the house and encourage her to use them. And yes, I've checked every nook and cranny to make sure she's not going somewhere hidden. Nothing, nada, zip. And I worry worry worry that she's going to get an infection, sick, (or worse) from NOT going!

So.... I'm on the verge of having a little covered 'potty shed' built for her that maybe she can go OUTside w/out getting her precious little fanny wet and keep her precious little potty dirt DRY .... and after the rains this week in Dallas I think Dixie Daddy is ready to permit this. We have a very small back yard but it seems a fair sacrifice if it means I don't lose what is left of my sanity and her health.

I guess I'm wondering if any of you have ever had to solve this same type psycho potty issue and how you did it. But let me tell you what does NOT work: 1) taking her by the leash w/an umbrella... we've stayed there so long w/her just sitting there staring up at me until MY legs fell asleep. Also, I can only chant 'Go Potty baby, good girl, go Potty' so long before my neighbors start complaining.

Before I go the route of 'extreme dog potty run' makeover I'm going to probably try to find a VERY large covered litter box .... maybe a mountain lion litter box ... so she won't be afraid to go through the opening but once there finds her 'dry potty dirt'.

At the end of my wits here ... otherwise ... she is the most precious thing in my life. We've really bonded well in the 9 months we've been together and I just don't want the rainy season to break what we've achieved so far. I know she's frustrated and admire her desire to be a good baby and 'hold it' but good grief... she'd going to be sick if she keeps this up.

Thanks for reading.

[Jessi]

WOW! I don't know what to say...Have you consulted your vet?

[bnwebm]

I won't necessarily recommend this as a therapeutic route, but when Winston tried to pull that years ago, we both stood (sometimes walked) in the rain until he decided to go. He goes almost immediately now, amazing! :D

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Same with us. We walked, sometimes practically dragged Wally down the road, and not until he peed would we turn around and come back in a hurry. I think the walking helps, it makes it harder to hold :). Now when it rains, he walks out, pees in about 3 seconds, and comes back in. Which is fine with me.

Good luck!!!

[bumble]

Paddy has refused to pee or poop in the rain for years. It stopped bothering me when I finally realized it's just the puggie version of The Wizard of Oz (the scene where Dorothy gets water on the witch, making her melt).

[CountryGal]

Here's Bo using his litter box ... it's made for dogs.

[bnwebm]

Yep. Pug are the best, sweetest, funniest, smartest and most STUBBORN dogs ever made. You just have to out-stubborn them!

Same with us. We walked, sometimes practically dragged Wally down the road, and not until he peed would we turn around and come back in a hurry. I think the walking helps, it makes it harder to hold :). Now when it rains, he walks out, pees in about 3 seconds, and comes back in. Which is fine with me.

Good luck!!!

[CountryPug]

The trick is to be more stubborn than the pug. Wear your rain coat, rain boots and perhaps a warm cup of

[OzzyBear]

Wow...I certainly hope that this doesn't become an issue when Oz is fully potty trained (god, I hope that's soon!). He loves water. Plays in the sprinkler, plays in a kiddie pool, and LIKES getting sprayed in the face with the spray bottle! But hates the rain...

[jstpugginalong]

The trick is to be more stubborn than the pug. Wear your rain coat, rain boots and perhaps a warm cup of

YEP!!! This is what you have to do!! And make it a LARGE cup of whatever your'e drinking because you might be out there for awhile! And be sure to reward him after he finally gives in!