Dog advice

[Aeson]

At 50 I find myself a new dog dad. Like many new dads I could use some advice.
This guy doesn't seem to want to go outside when it's raining to do his business. So far he hasn't made a mess in the house. Is there anything I can do to get him to go outside? I don't want him holding it in.

He seems to bark, whine, and howl when my mom leaves during the day. Oddly, he doesn't do it when I leave at night. I don't want him in my room while I'm trying to sleep. Is there anything we can do to help him?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, it’s going to take him time to adjust & adapt to the new house, and for you to learn how he signals when he’s in real need of going out. Can’t rush that. While that process is ongoing, you might want to get some pee pads to put near the door.

Over the decades, our dogs have had a varied relationship with rain. None of them really liked it, but some were more resistant to going out in it than others. Some would go out alone begrudgingly, some needed a chaperone. All of them enjoyed a vigorous towel rubdown afterwards, though!

One thing that helped us was becoming more weather aware. If we know rain- especially severe weather- is coming, we try to ensure our dogs get out. Of course, that won’t help much if you’re having long-lasting rainstorms passing through slowly. But even so, monitoring the weather can help you ID relative lulls when the dog might be more amenable.

As for the separation anxiety, that’s something I’ve not had to deal with in an adult dog. Maybe a blanket with your mom’s favorite perfume or similar scent would help?

 

[Aeson]

I haven't thought of thunder until now. I know it bothers some dogs. When I was young we had border collies, they REALLY didn't like thunder. We haven't had thunder yet. It's been a light rain. I'm not sure how he'll react to thunder. It's going to be a wait and see thing.

 

[Morrus]

You'll need to actually take him outside, at least at first. One of the joys of training a dog is the fun of standing around in the cold waiting for them to get on with it.

None of my dogs have ever cared about rain or thunder. It's important not to react, or imply in any way that thunder is unusual or something to be concerned about, and don't coddle them if they show any fear. You don't want to teach the dog to fear thunder.