This morning was raining! It was not a surprise as it was forecast, but Ray does not like rain (and he’s not too thrilled with lawn sprinklers). Given his antics in rivers and lakes, I do not really understand what his problem is, but I don’t need to understand it… just recognize it!
As we went through our predictable early morning routine, we reached the point where I open the back door, and Ray comes trotting out onto the back porch; down a few steps, and wanders around the garden looking for a good pee place, after which he charges back to the house for his breakfast.
This morning when I opened the door, Ray stayed where he was and just looked at me (“You’re kidding right? You want me out there with you? It’s raining!”). I decided to go down into the garden thinking that he would follow me, but no. I tried to encourage him, and reminded him that he must have a full bladder (“Yeh I know it’s full, but I’m younger than you so I can hold it longer. How about some breakfast instead?”).
My last resort would be to attach his leash and coax (?) him out with me. I duly attached his leash to his collar and stepped out onto the back deck. Ray stayed in the open doorway. I just looked at him, and started off down the steps. The leash didn’t even go tight as Ray trotted down by my side, and accompanied me on a tour of the lawn perimeter until he found the “right spot” to relieve himself. When he had finished, I unclipped his leash… and Ray charged back to the house for his breakfast. Things were back to normal!
Why water sprinkling on his back is an issue, I have no idea. Why I did not have to pull him through the door, I have no idea. Perhaps he sensed that he was not going to get any options so may as well cooperate?
He is an interesting character!
A Dog's Life ... and mine ... and yours! 
It is very strange a lot of dogs don’t like the rain.
💜💜💜💜
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It seems a little odd, but then… a lot of people don’t like rain either! 🙂
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Yes, I know 💜
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🙂
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Your account of how Ray behaved is a great illustration that however much we love our dogs, and are loved by them in return, we humans can only guess at how the brain of a dog truly functions. I’m sure you have read Stanley Coren’s book How To Speak Dog.
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Hi Paul. I am not familiar with that book, but will check it out. My readings to date have been books by Patricia McConnell and Pat Miller, and a resource file which a Dog Behaviorist gave me access to. I am currently reading “What the dog knows” by Cat Warren. As for Ray’s brain? We have concluded that it is a Rotti brain trying to make the best of a GSD body. i.e. a little confused! 🙂
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Well if you come across any material or references that offer information on the relationship that dogs form with us humans then do pass it along.
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Sounds like a good plan. Now I just have to remember! 🙂
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As in: “I can remember everything except those things I forget!”
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That’s it exactly. I have only ever forgotten stuff that I cannot remember! 🙂
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Dogs don’t like rain for the simple reason the sound is amplified in their ears. We had our first snow storm which started out as a heavy rain late Sunday night. Both poodles gave me that “Ray look.” Priceless.
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Poor Ray was picked up, as a stray, in November (2012) so he would have endured a number of storms around that general time frame. I guess he just found shelters and worked through them.
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My dog hates water in any form unless you are in it with him.
The cat on the other hand, loves a good swim
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That’s an interesting switch! I’ve never known a cat that did anything with water apart from drink it, and occasionally play with it! 🙂
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My cat thinks he is a dog, comes for walks, chases a ball
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…. and leaves his poop for you to pickup perhaps? 🙂
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No he is not that well trained, he also refused to use the litter tray, however we have got him going in our garden rather than the neighbours which I am calling a win
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Sounds like a cat with character!
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We have a disabled parking bay outside our house, he insists upon lying it and not moving, just holds up his 3 legs as if to say I have every right to use it
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…. and very smart to! Scary! 🙂
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I often find him looking at me with this look of if I could trip you down the stairs. I would eat you.
He is a very smart cat, I have seen him take on dogs when he felt they were bullying “his” dog. I think he has that mentality of I took on a car and survived ah (its how he lost his leg)
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🙂
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Yes, it must be a dog thing. Riley is the exact same way. Lucy, on the other hand, could care less if it is raining. She seems to enjoy it. Lexi didn’t care one way or the other. Just like people, they all have their preferences and idiosyncrasies.
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Yes I guess they are all individuals. I cannot imagine how Ray lived as a stray during rainy times!
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Ray isn’t alone in the rain thing – Choppy hates it, too. I have no idea what it could be. So no answers from me today on this one!
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It must be a dog thing! 🙂
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aren’t we all? Interesting characters that is 🙂 Charlie is not a fan of the rain either.
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We sure are Jodi! 🙂
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Same here with the rain…maybe the difference is that they have no control over the water ???
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That could well be it! 🙂
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