How to keep your dog dry when it rains?
It's raining, it's wet, it's the frog party…. I would say rather that it is the feast of the labrador! On a walk, Musher enjoys when it rains. She runs through every puddle she finds and jumps into every muddy rut! Given the smile she displays, it is certain that she has fun like crazy. Does your dog also enjoy the rain? For my part, I have wet feet and dripping hair, but I'm thinking above all of the shower session when I get home... you'll have to carry it from the trunk to the bathtub, rinse it to remove the mud, dry it, wipe all the drops between my front door and my bathroom, wiping my bathroom and sweeping the thousands of hairs: a treat! So I thought about how to limit the shower chore on rainy days and I decided to test two accessories, which have now become indispensable. Impossible to deprive Musher of a good walk in the rain….
dog raincoat
I tested a dog raincoat. There is several forms of coats for dogs, either it only covers the back of the dog or it is a combination that dresses the dog almost entirely. I tested a wetsuit to see if Musher could come back from a walk in the rain in acceptable condition… If your dog doesn't like the rain and he dodges every puddle carefully, a coat just covers his back may suffice. For a dog that feasts in the rain or you walk in the countryside through fields, the combination system should appeal to you more.
I tested the “Trilly Camon” raincoat in red. There are few clothes for big dogs, this is the only one I found suitable for Musher. And again, he's just right. When will there be a real choice in large sizes?! Especially since the Labrador is far from being a big dog… It's a windproof raincoat. It comes in two colors; black or red. It slips on very simply. Just lay it on the dog's back and put each paw in each sleeve. To close it, all you have to do is clip each button from the collar to under your dog's belly. The suit stops halfway up the belly to give the dog the opportunity to relieve himself. The dog is protected from the rain from the neck to the middle of its belly.
On the coat, there is a hood with 2 reflective strips. On the back of the dog, there is a dog's head and a slogan “it's rainy”, also reflective. Musher spends his walk with his nose on the ground; so his head is not “in” the hood. A dog that walks normally has its head rather well protected by it. There are two slits on the back of the coat; one to be able to attach the leash to the collar, the other to be able to attach the leash to the dog's harness.
Here we are on a walk in the rain, each with our raincoat and I my boots. Rather skeptical, I still wanted to test… You never know! When I saw Musher going back and forth in the muddy puddles splashing generously at me as I passed, I immediately stopped hoping that she would return to acceptable condition. We walked for a good hour. She tested all the puddles, had a blast in the tall grasses of the fields and even rolled over on her back to fully enjoy it!!!! When she walks, she makes the same noise as me with my K-way. She didn't pay attention to it for more than 30s I think.
Ultra-absorbent mat
Arrived at the car, I cursed this weather and the imminent shower session… Musher jumps in the trunk on his new carpet, special rainy day. A second accessory in which I had placed great hopes to minimize the rain constraint!
She lands dripping in the trunk… I take her dog raincoat and OH MIRACLE. Her back is dry and her sides too… Since she walks around with her nose on the ground and runs with her mouth wide open in the puddles, her head is wet but instead of wiping an entire Labrador, I only have to wipe his stomach and paws! MIRACLE!! If your dog is more careful than mine, it will be even easier for you! With a micro-fiber towel, I wring out the bulk so that it doesn't catch cold. I take the road again, Musher lying on the ultra-absorbent mat Dog Gone Smart Doormat. It's like a giant sponge that absorbs water and mud. It absorbs up to 7 times its weight and dries very quickly. On the side facing the ground, there is an anti-slip coating. It is of course machine washable. It is soft and fluffy and does not pill.
Arrival at home, 15 minutes later: THE VERDICT! Musher is not completely dry but she passes her turn for the shower and so do I 🙂 I reinstalled the carpet in my entrance and she finished drying on it by chewing on a deer antler. Results of the test, I recommend you thewaterproof combination version from Trilly Camon. Your dog has a dry back and flanks; for the whole ride. It is therefore insulated from wind and rain. I also recommend the tapis magic, the Doormat. In winter, I advise you to absorb the bulk with a micro fiber towel and then you can let your dog finish drying off there. It will prevent him from catching cold. In fine weather, the carpet will suffice.
These are two essentials to take with you on vacation! Coming home from a walk with a dog soaked and cracked when you stay in a small mobile home or a hotel room: a hassle! But that was before… with these 2 accessories, this kind of disappointment is over!