Rainy Days
When it Rains
Dog-sitting can be a lot of fun and offers many benefits – meeting new people, spending time with a variety of pups, earning extra money, and getting lots of exercise whether you want to or not. But you might ask yourself - what happens when it rains? Let’s say you have three doggy guests, and the skies open up and it rains for what feels like forty days and forty nights. What do you do with your four-legged guests? How do you keep the inside of your home from looking like the mud trough that your yard has become? And how do you keep them entertained when they must stay indoors all day? After many rainy seasons I have found a few tips that may make things a little easier.
Walking Pups – Rain or Shine?
Rain can throw your whole day off kilter so having a rainy-day schedule, much like in a kindergarten classroom, can make things a little easier if you know ahead of time how to make the day less messy and less stressful. First, try very hard to walk the pups either before the rain starts or after it stops – even if you know the reprieve is temporary. And don’t be afraid to get a little wet if that’s what it takes. Any exercise the dogs can get outside will pay off in dividends despite the “wet dog” smell it is likely to invoke. Check the weather and plan the day as much as possible so that you are walking during the lightest rainy time of day. If you see a period where the rain is expected to stop a half hour or so before the next cloudburst, harness everyone up, grab the poop bags and try to get them moving as quickly as possible. Even if you only make it around the block before having to return home, the change of scenery and increase in heart rate can make for some very happy pups.
Rain Preparation
Before heading out for a walk or some backyard time during rainy weather, keep a stack of old towels near the door so that you can wipe the dogs down from head to paw before they are let back in. It can be annoying and time-consuming, but it’s worth the extra step to prevent muddy pawprints from one end of the house to the other and perhaps decorating your sofa as well. It pays to have an abundance of old towels to use for cleaning up or to put down near the door for muddy paws. In addition to keeping towels by the door, having a thick rug by on the outside of the door will help some of the dirt and mud come off before the pups go into the house. I have several varieties of rugs that are specially made to catch dirt from dog paws as they run in and out. Some work very well and some not so much. Try to get rugs that do not easily show dirt, are easy to wash, and prevent most dirt from getting past them.
All Day Downpours
There may be days when the wind will blow, the rain just won’t stop, and you can’t possibly be outside for more than a quick potty break. Make sure the dogs get some exercise either by walking around or ball-fetching or whatever fun thing they would like to do inside that won’t destroy your home. I have several pups that are happy to retrieve a tennis ball as I throw it from one room to another over and over. And I have many, many dogs that like to follow me everywhere, so we take a little walk into and around the rooms where they are allowed to go multiple times a day. If you have a garage or storage shed, you could remove the cars or lawn mower and make your own little play place for them to enjoy. Inspect the area fully for safety before allowing any pups inside and be careful to have anything dangerous removed or put out of reach so that there are no accidents. Clear out the garage as much as possible and set up water bowls, puppy pads, dog beds, and toys to give your guests a safe place to run untethered that will help keep your home clean. If you have lots of bad weather or a lot of super-hot days that require you to be inside multiple days a week, putting up dog-related pictures on the wall of the garage will help the owners be more comfortable with their pets hanging out in there. It has nothing to do with the care of their pets, but they will appreciate the
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special touches.
Speaking of accidents, put a few puppy pads out and keep any areas covered that could be damaged by pups that refuse to go out in the rain. Cheap plastic tablecloths or plastic sheeting can protect your nice coffee table, bookshelf, and almost anything else that could be the victim of a raised leg. Always keep cleaning supplies close to quickly take care of accidents before any real damage is done.
Keeping Pups Inside Your Home
If a garage or storage shed is not available, put lots of old towels down on the floor – as many as possible while still having some for cleaning up and drying dogs off. Even if you are able to wipe each dog’s four paws, you will prevent a lot of dirt from getting on your floors if you put easily washable towels or rugs down. Bathroom rugs are great because they are washable and have a good non-slip backing, but they are usually small and very heavy to wash. There are washable rugs available that are much easier to use. Also put extra puppy pads down if you have pups that totally refuse to go out in the rain. I have only had a few like that, but the ones that protest going outside can add a lot of work to your day in clean-up time. That is totally not what you need when you are running around with a pack of pups.
Based on your canine guests’ personalities, think of other ways to help them enjoy the day without being destructive. Some other ways to entertain them (with owner approval only) are to have toys that hold treats for them to figure out, pup-approved bones to chew, bully sticks, battery-operated toys that catch their attention, and my favorite, take them for a car ride! Not all dogs love going for a ride, but most do and love to be entertained by the passing scenery or any pups they see along the road. Bring a couple of towels if you have to get in or out of the car in the rain without the use of a garage. With a car ride, everyone stays dry unless you have to enter or exit in the rain.
Summary
There are ways to make the rainy day go smoother if you prepare and have a game plan for the day. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare will help you face rainy days with grace and a good attitude. Have plenty of towels, toys, and patience on those rainy, blustery days.
In this chapter
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