To help! My dachshund does not want to defecate outside in the rain and cold

When I brought my dachshund pup home to the Pacific Northwest, it was September.

It’s the start of the rainy season for us and I thought, how the hell am I going to be able to train a dachshund when it’s cold and raining outside??

I’ve heard so many stories of perfectly house trained Dachshunds refusing to go outside or defecate outside in the fall that it’s clear to me that this is a common problem.

Also, my first dachshund had wet belly syndrome and used to be reluctant to go outside for relief as soon as the weather turned cold in the fall.

Instead, he would peek out, turn around, and poop around the house when I wasn’t looking.

It was an annual “tradition” that I made up “poo in house season”.

But, I managed to fully potty train my dachshund puppy in 3 months (she accidentally stopped having in the house before that but I waited 3 months to be sure she was consistent).

Every year I gave my first dachshund a potty training reminder and managed to convince him to stop using the house as a bathroom.

However, not all Dachshunds can be trained or convinced.

Sometimes you need to use a trick to outsmart your Dachshund or change the way you do things to suit their needs (and wants).

In this article, I’ll share what has worked for me, discuss why your Dachshund might refuse to potty in the rain, and ways to fix the problem.

Why Your Home-Trained Dachshund May Go Indoors in Cold, Wet Weather

Dachshunds prefer to be warm and dry. Not you ?

When it’s cold and damp outside, it’s uncomfortable for your Dachshund.

The cold can make them shiver and if it rains they can not only get wet from above but also from below because they are low to the ground.

Because Dachshunds are low to the ground, they can feel the uncomfortable effects of rain more than other dogs.

Home is a much more comfortable place when it’s cold and windy outside.

Which dachshunds are most affected?

Interestingly enough, it seems that it is the shorthaired dachshunds that are the most intolerant of the rain.

I suspect it’s because a shorthaired dachshund’s fur is so fine that rain soaks into it when it falls on them and feels like little pinpricks on their skin.

Both longhaired and wirehaired dachshunds have longer hair that helps keep rain out of the skin. At least during a little potty break outside.

In addition, longer hair helps them better protect themselves from the cold.

Miniature Dachshunds have a smaller body mass, so it is more difficult for them to generate their own body heat than a larger standard Dachshund, which can cause Miniature Dachshunds to chill in bad weather.

What also interests me is that many of our followers have reported that their Dachshunds – regardless of coat type/length – are more tolerant of snow than rain.

My antecdotal finding is that Miniature Short (Smooth) Dachshunds are most likely to refuse to go outside and start having potty accidents around the house, when the weather turns cold and wet.

How to Get Your Dachshund Outside in Bad Weather

To be blunt, the way to get a Dachshund out in the cold is to literally NOT let them NOT.

I often suggest carrying a dachshund outside or taking it out on a leash (remember to walk outside like it’s no big deal as your dog will follow you), if he stops in the doorway out the door as soon as he sees it’s shitty weather outside.

It shows them that it’s your choice, not theirs, and that you won’t take no for an answer.

Sometimes it is enough to remove the option. Simply stating that going out to relieve yourself is not optional may solve your problem.

My dachshunds are family. I treat them with respect and kindness. But sometimes they still have to do what I say, whether they like it or not.

I also monitor the forecast for interruptions in the rain.

Although I usually send my adult Dachshunds outside to potty every 3-4 hours, I can send them out a little earlier than that if the rain stops temporarily.

However, just because your dachshund is outside doesn’t mean he’s going to go potty.

Dachshunds can be stubborn and may refuse to leave no matter how long you stay outside with them.

So what can you do then?

How to Convince Your Dachshund to Poop in the Rain

Luckily, there are several different options for your Dachshund to be comfortable with the potty outside in the rain and cold rather than inside the house.

You may need to try several of these ideas until you find one that works for your Dachshund.

You may also need to use a few techniques in combination.

Don’t give up – the process can take time, but there is almost always a solution to stop accidents around the house.

As I stated above, removing the option to let my dachshunds refuse to go outside solved the problem for me, but it doesn’t work for all dachshunds.

Because I didn’t need to come up with more creative solutions for my dachshunds to potty outside when it’s cold and rainy, I asked our fans.

Here are the 5 most common suggestions:

1) Double the encouragement

No matter what the weather is like on a particular day, in anticipation of bad weather to come, start having a big party every time your Dachshund goes outside to relieve himself.

This will remind your Dachshund of how much fun it is for him to do the right thing so he’s more likely to go out in the rain and cold.

2) Wrap your dachshund before he goes outside

Try putting a jacket or raincoat on your Dachshund before he goes outside to keep him drier and more comfortable, which can increase the chances of him pooping outside.

Taking the time to put a jacket on your Dachshund can be frustrating, but so can cleaning up accidents around the house.

3) Use an umbrella

Another simple trick is to take your Dachshund outside and hold a large umbrella overhead while he searches for a place to relieve himself.

This is another time when using a leash comes in handy because it will save you from having to chase your dog all over the yard while he searches for the perfect place to go.

4) Create a covered pot area outside

Consider using a small pop-up tent above your dachshund’s favorite spot in the yard to keep the grass and your dachshund dry.

Some people opt for one of those big, tall canvas tents like you see at an outdoor craft fair or farmer’s market.

But someone else recently told me that he used a camping tent with the ground cut off.

5) Consider using fake grass as a pot

If you have an outdoor patio or covered porch (or cover with a tent as suggested above), put a patch of real or fake grass there for your Dachshund to keep going.

This can mean that your dachshund doesn’t have to venture far outside the door and can potty and get back into the house quickly.

You can also put puppy mats or artificial grass in a basement or garage if you have that option.

This completely eliminates the problem of humidity and cold, but beware, this can cause your dachshund to:

• Going to pot indoors is okay (they can’t always tell the floor in the garage from your floor inside the house)
• They like it better this way in all suites, so now they refuse to defecate outside, no matter what the weather is like.

Final Thoughts

It’s a common challenge for many dachshund owners to get their puppies to relieve themselves outside in the rain.

As you can see, there are many options for convincing your dachshund to stop pottying at home.

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

If your dachshund is still having accidents around the house after trying all the techniques I’ve listed (which will work for your situation), you may want to consult your vet to rule out an underlying medical condition as the cause.

For example, older dogs can develop health issues like Cushing’s disease, incontinence, or dementia, which can cause an older dog to potty in the house.

If your dachshund is healthy and still pooping at home, consider hiring a dog trainer or behaviorist to help find the root of the problem and fix it.

Good luck!