How can I get them to smell nice?

[gracie]

The two of them reek and bathing makes them smell like wet chickens. Is there anything I can use to take away the wet dog smell and make them smell nice? They are both housedogs and it's close to 80 degrees so their scent lingers in the house all the more. Any suggestions?

[Doglover1988]

humm what kind of shampoo do you use? When I bathe mine I like the way they smell. They make doggie perfume. I don't know how that works but maybe you could try that. Sometimes stink can be caused by a bad diet. What food do you feed your dogs?

[Cassiepeia]

Bad smell can also be caused by bathing your dogs too much. Dogs shouldn't be bathed more than once a month (less if you can get away with it). Too much bathing increases the amount of oils that the skin produces and causes them to smell more.
Diet plays a huge part in it too though, like Lindsey mentioned. Bad diet can equal bad smell.

Cass.

[Swiftwind]

You're not using flea treatment shampoo are you? I find that stuff STINKS! I used to work at a dog grooming salon and we had these two bottles of dog-friendly fragrance spray (water-based). I think one was just rose essence and the other one I'm not too sure about). They did make the dogs smell lovely, though. It'd be worth having a check around your local pet shop or even go to your local groomer and ask them what fragrance sprays they use, or if they have anything they can recommend.

Of course, sprays just 'cover' the smell and don't actually fix the problem as such. I would look at their diet, how frequently you bathe them and where they sleep.

[Ritz459]

We use this spray at the kennel that really works on deodorizing a dog, be it doggy smell, smoke, dead animal, whatever. I can't remember what it is called, but when I'll check next time I'm in at work. It works REALLY well. You just spray it on, rub it in, and then blowdry the dog after it has had its bath. And it smells good to boot.
Also, have their ears been cleaned? Too much wax buildup in the ear causes a do to REEK, espeically if said ear is infected. Any type of skin problem will also let off an unpleasen odor.

What breeds are they? I've noticed that the "houndy" dogs and Cocker Spaniels all seem to have a distinct doggy odor that no amount of bathing/cleaning will get rid of.

[Sentry]

Make sure your dog isn't on poor quality dog food and having food allergies. Here is a good shampoo.
PetEdge: Crazy Dog Shampoo

[Punkygirl0101]

I also agree, a dog should not be bathed more than once a month (I bathe my dogs every 5-6 months and they don't smell at all...why? because they are on a decent high quality food. I have smelled dogs on low quality/crap food..and they have a nasty dog odor that doesn't go away no matter how often they are bathed!! So if you are feeding low quality food, switch ASAP!

[Doglover1988]

Originally Posted by Punkygirl0101

I also agree, a dog should not be bathed more than once a month (I bathe my dogs every 5-6 months and they don't smell at all...why? because they are on a decent high quality food. I have smelled dogs on low quality/crap food..and they have a nasty dog odor that doesn't go away no matter how often they are bathed!! So if you are feeding low quality food, switch ASAP!

I agree my dogs never stink unless they roll in something stinky. I don't ever give them a bath unless they stink from rolling in something which is very rarely. I give Lucy a bath though with medicated shampoo when she gets itchy. (she is allergic to fleas) My friends rotties though stink because they are on ol' roy.

[Punkygirl0101]

Yeah, I notice that with dogs that are on bad food, even after they are freshly bathed...They smell horrible!!

[Doggedly Determined]

Buddy Wash has always worked for Dublin. Except the time he got hit point blank by a skunk. Then nothing worked, except for time. It also has a conditioner that we use in the summer when he gets skin rashes.

[calgal]

Well I have Yorkies, and they have to be bathed once a week.......so not all dogs can go weeks without a bath. Yorkies don't have an undercoat. This helps to keep them from being stinky since they don't hold the dander. One of my girls feet WILL smell like Fritoe's if we have a few really hot days between bathing. I do home cook which really helps with them not having body odor too.

[gracie]

Thanks for all the advice. One dog has been on the same diet for years, the other I am still trying to find her a choice food that will be suitable for her. She has a very delicate stomach so gets extremely gassey, enough to clear a room but I was referring to the smell of a wet chicken after bathing seemingly coming from both dogs. Normally they lose that smell after a day or two but it kept on and on this time..
I was using oatmeal shampoo on them and it has always been good and gentle too but not last time.

Has anyone used Mane&TAIL shampoo & conditioner on their dogs? My sister is using it for her hair and her hair has grown so thick and nice.
I notice on the bottle that it can be used for dogs as well but still haven't tried it..

[Razack]

Our puppies smell like cows... I have bathed them once but I am holding off doing it again. They spent the first 9 weeks in a calf stall (barn). They are on high quality food, so I am hoping that the smell will... wear off!!! lol

[gracie]

When we bought my MIL her pup, her fur had bits of straw (hay?) in it, and it took a few baths to finally get rid of it so she must have spent some time in a stall as well. LOL the smell will eventually wear off and they will smell like dogs and not like cows..trust me on that one.

[TSW]

I love this dog deodorant it smells nice and keeps the smell long. All my friends enjoy it too, since I always have some on hand for gift


I tried this too. Great specially for the Holiday Season