After a rainy walk, start with a towel, decide how muddy your dog is, and clean only the areas that need help. Do not brush wet grit deeper into the coat.
Rainy-Walk Cleanup Flow
Towel first, then check paws, toes, lower legs, belly, feathering, tail, and gear lines. Rinse only muddy zones when wiping is not enough. Dry paws and toe spaces carefully.
Brush Later
Brush after grit is loosened and the coat is dry enough to part without pulling.
Stop Signs
Stop for limping, repeated paw licking, embedded debris, wounds, swelling, discharge, ear pain, eye pain, suspected chemical exposure, panic, bite risk, or unsafe handling.