Yesterday I was judging at an agility competition, and the weather was having a full identity crisis. One minute blazing sunshine, the next pouring with rain—and the wind? At one point, it was so strong I had to pull the seesaw from the course because it was lifting off the ground. When contact equipment starts levitating, it’s time to rethink things. It reminded me just how unpredictable spring can be—and how much that matters when it comes to training our dogs. If you’re looking for sensible, down-to-earth puppy training weather advice, here it is: adapt your plans, listen to your dog, and don’t be afraid to take a step back when conditions aren’t right.
🐾 It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Training in rough or changeable weather really depends on your dog. My lot are seasoned sport dogs, fit and used to working in a variety of conditions. So yes, we do train in less-than-perfect weather—but always with a sensible hat on. Strong winds? No contact equipment. Rain or thunderstorms? We wait it out. Jumping is usually fine as long as the wings are solid and nothing’s flapping about. But the main thing is knowing what not to do and when to call it a day.
With puppies or dogs who are inexperienced or not yet fit, it’s a different game. These dogs are still building their confidence and body awareness, and they need everything stacked in their favour. That means avoiding training in wind, rain, or anything that could knock their focus or unsettle them. Safety and confidence come first—every time.
Although this advice is geared towards puppies, young, inexperienced or unfit dogs in sports training will benefit from the same thoughtful, cautious approach. Just because a dog gets walked twice a day for 30 minutes doesn’t mean they’re fit for dog sports. That’s like saying you’re ready to compete in gymnastics just because you walk to work every day. Fitness for life and fitness for dog sports are two very different things.
That’s why I always advise new clients to take the weather into account when training puppies. It’s one of the most overlooked but important factors. Good puppy training weather advice is all about knowing when to train—and when to rest.
🌧️ Tips for Navigating Wild Weather
- Keep sessions short and intentional – You don’t need a full session for it to count. Five minutes of focused work beats 20 minutes of faffing in the drizzle.
- Shelter and comfort matter – Make use of cover, keep towels handy, and don’t be afraid to reschedule.
- Pick your timing – I’m often watching the sky like a hawk, squeezing in training windows between rain showers.
- Let your dog guide you – If they’re unfocused, twitchy with the wind, or just not in the zone, adapt or stop. That’s not giving up—it’s good training.
🐶 What We’re Doing This Week
This week, the problem isn’t the heat—it’s the relentless rain, random thunderstorms, and blustery wind. I’m doing little bits of heelwork with Trixie when it’s dry, and the others will get some course work in once the wind calms down a bit. We’re keeping things flexible. Sometimes it’s a day of rest and enrichment instead. Sometimes it’s a window of opportunity between two downpours. It’s just about reading the room—and the dog.
💬 A Quick Note for My Clients
My own beginners’ classes are having to be rescheduled left, right and centre at the moment, and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone for being so patient and flexible. This wild patch of weather will pass soon enough, and as your dogs get fitter and more experienced, the odd bit of drizzle or breeze won’t faze them at all. So let’s ride out the storm, stay kind to ourselves and our dogs, and get back to it when the time is right.
It’s easy to catch up from a missed session. What’s far harder is waiting weeks for an injury to heal—something I know all too well after dealing with my own dogs’ setbacks earlier this year.
If you’re ever unsure whether to train or wait it out, refer back to this post. A bit of common-sense puppy training weather advice can go a long way toward building happy, confident dogs.
🧘♀️ Final Thought
Working with dogs means working with what’s in front of you—not what you had planned on paper. The weather might throw your routine out the window, but if you listen to your dog and adjust accordingly, you’ll still move forward. Progress doesn’t have to be linear or sunny.
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