How to Get Your Dachshund to Go Potty Outside in the Rain

If your Dachshund is refusing to do their business outside in the rain and cold, you’re not alone.

This is an all too common issue that many Doxie owners face at some point. 

Some Dachshunds battle wet belly syndrome, so the feeling of water on their low hanging tummies is an absolute no-go. 

If your Dachshund won’t potty outside in the rain, or won’t go outside at all, and instead has accidents in the house, you are likely frustrated and stressed.

We understand how difficult it can be to always be cleaning up behind your Dachshund or feel like you can’t take your eyes off them for a second.

In this article, we discuss the reasons why your Dachshund could be refusing to go potty in the rain, and ways you may be able to fix the issue.

How to Get Your Dachshund to Potty in the Rain

Thankfully there are several different options for getting your Dachshund comfortable with going potty outside in the rain.

We recommend trying a handful of suggestions that we list here if one solution doesn’t work for you.

Don’t give up – the process may take time, but training properly will be worth it.

To start, it’s important to remember that our dogs take cues from us.

Sometimes putting your Dachshund on a leash and walking outside like it’s no big deal is all it will take.

If you aren’t making a big deal about the rain, your Doxie may pick up on that energy.

Sometimes all it takes is removing the option. By leashing your Dachshund, and calmly walking outside with them, they will get that you are telling them to go outside, not asking.

Someimes it isn’t that simple though.

We’ve heard from many Doxie parents who say they stand out in the rain with their dog for 5 minutes and they still refuse to go…. until they get back in the house!

If this is what is happening to you, try one of the tips below.

They were sent to us from other Dachshund parents who have succeeded in training their dogs to go potty in the rain.

1. Hold an umbrella for yourself and your dog. Large golf umbrellas provide plenty of coverage for both of you. Maybe all your Dachshund needs is a little bit of protection to be comfortable. 
2. Use positive reinforcement when your Dachshund goes potty. Every single time they do their business outside, offer them a treat. But stay consistent! We also suggest taking your Dachshund to the same spot each time, so their scent is familiar. 
3. If you have an outdoor patio or porch, put a potty pad down or some fake grass. Your Dachshund will stay covered while they are outside to relieve themselves. You can also put puppy pads or artificial turf in a basement or garage if you have that option. You can try reusable potty pads as well.
4. Put a raincoat on your Dachshund before you go out. This will help keep your Dachshund dry and comfortable, which will increase the chance they will feel more comfortable outside in the rain.
5. If you do have grass or a special outdoor spot where your Dachshund likes to go potty, pick them up and take them there. Perhaps walking outside with your pup in your arms, and setting them in their safe space will encourage them to go. 
6. Teach your dog a “go-potty” cue. Teach the command in nice sunny weather, and continue to reinforce the behavior every time you go on a walk. Teaching a helpful cue can assist in getting your Dachshund to quickly potty when it’s raining. 
7. Invest in a small pop-up tent for outdoors. Place a pee pad inside the shelter, grass (real or artificial), or whatever surface your Doxie is comfortable pottying on. A small tent can be placed on any even surface to provide shade and cover. 
8. Watch the forecast for breaks in rain! If it stops raining for a few minutes, seize the opportunity and send your Dachshund out to go outside even if they went potty not that long ago.

As you can see, there are many excellent options for making going potty in the rain a little less stressful for your Dachshund.

You can mix and match some of the different ideas to come up with a process that works for you and your pup.

Ultimately if your Dachshund still won’t go potty outside when you’ve tried numerous suggested solutions, it’s time to seek veterinary attention. There could be a larger health concern to hone in on.

Senior dogs can become incontinent or get UTIs easily, so it’s crucial to rule out health issues which could be causing accidents in the house. And if your Dachshund is having accidents, pick up some Nature’s Miracle enzyme cleaner to completely clean the area. 

Holding in urine can actually be a cause of UTIs or bladder problems in dogs, making it imperative that your Dachshund is comfortable going potty outside. 

Your dog usually gives clues when they need to go outdoors, even though they may be very subtle, so try to pay attention to them.

Dogs tend to give us cues when they need to go potty. Some may be very subtle though like a prolonged stare.

Try to figure out what your Dachshund does right before they go potty (especially if they are doing it in the house) and consistenly watch for those signs.

And if you see rain coming in the forecast, make sure they go potty before the precipitation hits. 

Final Thoughts

It’s proven challenging for many Dachshund parents to get their pups to go potty outside in the rain.

It’s especially difficult for those who live in climates without consistent rain throughout the year.

It’s more of a shock to your dog when they are used to sun and cold water is suddenly falling from the sky.

If you have a puppy, the sooner you teach them to like the water, the better! When your Dachshund likes water, it’s unlikely they will have an issue with going to the bathroom in the rain. 

Indoor grass areas or potty pads may be the best solution for Dachshunds who simply refuse to go outside in the rain, no matter how many treats you use.

About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.