How Do I Get Rid Of The Dog Smell In My Living Room?

Question

I've tried various air fresheners, and even leave the window open for most of the day, but nothing works. He has a crate in the living room, and I've removed all of the bedding because I thought it was that, but no, it's still there. I don't want to keep bathing him, cos it's not good for his natural oil's, but I can't take much more of this smell.

And before anyone says "get rid of the dog", I can't, my kid's love him, he's only 8 months and I got him for life! And before anyone says "get a cat"...I've got three. So needless to say, serious answer's only please.

He is house trained, and I don't have carpets. It's not a smell of urine, just dog!

HE DOES NOT URINATE IN THE HOUSE! how many times do I have to say it!?

Answer 1

If your dog hasn't been neutered yet, I'd say that there's a very strong chance that his body chemistry is changing as he gets older. This can cause male dogs to smell very "doggy", as they're advertising their availability as a good mate - and putting the advert out there on the wind. :)

You can help your dog's own natural odour by keeping an eye on what you're feeding him. I have two dogs - a greyhound and a saluki. The greyhound doesn't have much of a body smell at all, whereas the saluki is a right old stinker! I have found the things that make him smell worse are any kinds of dairy, such as cow's milk or cheese. Check out his ears, as well. If they're dirty, they can add to the whiff. A regular gentle wipe with damp cotton wool (or a proprietary ear wipe) will keep them sweet-smelling.

A regular bath won't hurt your dog's coat, provided you rinse the soap out well, use a gentle conditioner and allow him to dry naturally. My stinky Saluki gets bathed about once a month, the Greyhound once a year!

You can also get proprietary wipes for use on dogs who are particularly prone to being smelly, which puts nice-smelling oils like citronella into their coat. However, I think this is more a case of trying to mask the doggy smell, rather than keep it at bay, and its probably not very successful.

An excellent tip for your floors, is bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle it liberally all over the floors (and furnishings), leave for 10-20 minutes and then vacuum up. Its marvellous at knocking out doggy whiffs.

In short, I think its a case of several lines of attack in order to tackle difference causes and effects. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have 2 dogs, and I know the smell you're talking about. Doesn't matter how often they're bathed, there is still just that "dog" smell that never goes away. Repeat, never goes away. I clean my carpets and bathe my dogs monthly. I have candles and air fresheners. However, I know I'll have to replace the carpeting throughout the house whenever I decide to sell because this is where the smell lives. Cleaning the carpets seems to make the most difference. For a few days there is no dog smell, then slowly it begins coming back. Also, clean your furniture along with your carpets. Any textile surface will trap the odor. In my experience, febreeze doesn't work on the pet odor, and I've tried every scent they make. In between carpet cleanings, I use a spray on foam carpet deodorizer which also helps quite a bit (spray on, vacuum up).

Good luck

Answer 3

Sweaty dog smell is horrible. Its the fabrics that keep it in - things like carpets and curtains etc. You say you don't have carpets and I'm sure you have already though of replacing curtains with blinds etc so theres not much improvement there. You keep his bedding washed so thats already done. You don't wash him too much so its not like hes over producing the oils because of irritated skin. You leave the window open...
The only other thing that I do in the constant daily battle against doggy odour (after all we have to wash every day to keep our odour under control!!) is use anti bacterial sprays in the air and on the sofa - it tackles the cause of the smell instead of just masking it with a scent like normal air freshners. I also find it helps to keep the temperature in the rooms my dogs live in relatively cool. They seem to be less smelly then. Finally, don't feel guilty about having no dog areas in your house! That way you can tolerate doggy odours because you know that you have a best room that won't get up your nose!

Answer 4

That's whats always put me off owning a dog, the smell and the hairs. You could use plug in air fresheners for the house, use Dettol so everything is disinfected and smells nice and use Fabreeze on your curtains and furniture. I'm sure you can buy dog deodorant as well. It would also be worth considering have a few rooms within your house where the dog is not allowed to enter, that way you're not going to have this problem throughout your house.

Answer 5

I have a 10 month old pup and use a spray that is similar to baby powder, it also contains a dry shampoo and i spray and brush him every other day and I dont have a problem. The only problem I encountered is when he started marking his territory but i make sure that the area is cleaned straight away when I catch him. the other thing I would do is take him to the vets and ask them for some advice if this doesnt help as he may have a problem with his glands or something else

Answer 6

We had that problem with out carpets so we ripped all the carpets up off the ground floor and replaced with laminate loads better, but you have got little ones so laminate might not be for you. I have to wash his bedding every week or it starts to smell doggy its right pain cleaning all the washer afterwards. We also used the neutrodol shake and vac stuff lots of fabreeze on all the furniture and hoover everyday (you probs do anyway), but I would defo get laminate if can and a big rug that you can chuck in the washer.

Answer 7

I have this problem as i own 2 german shepherds who live out side but i do let them in at night for a few hours and the smell lingers from them and i have carpets but im going to get laminated flooring back as it will be so much easier to clean if i was you i would get a floor cleaner and use it every other day and in between also use disinfectant and bleach when you mop the floors daily as this will kill any bacteria and grems that breed from the dog i found this to help also try moving the dog out of the living room and put him outside more and during the summer months he will love it mine have lived out side almost from day 1 they get used to it and their fur helps to keep them warm good luck

Answer 8

Have you tried frabreeze? You can spray it on all your furniture and curtains and it gets rid of dog smells.You might just have a naturally smelly dog, in which case i dont think you can do much! We have a Springer, who smells, but she's out side during the day and has a little room downstairs to herself for bedtime, so she doesnt cause too many probs as she only come in the living room, during the evening time for cuddles!

Answer 9

use one of the odour plugins that get rid not mask the smell...anyway it is probably the cats not being a cat lover i can smell them in the cleanest of houses...dont over bathe the dog you will cause him to smell worse as the body tries to compensate for all the washing...there are sprays you can use on him for dogs...that will make him smell sweeter...also if he gets wet and allowed to dry naturally he will smell dry him off with a hair dryer when he has been outside....make sure he hasnt a skin condition which if you keep bathing will get worse...a quick checkup at the vets wouldnt come amiss at least you will know if it is him ....

Answer 10

We have our two dogs for close to five years -- and over time, we are immune to the doggie scent!

I can understand what you are saying -- although, I tend to think, it might not completely go away. Partly, the smell also comes from their saliva., and as dogs they will lick their face, fur, toys...including the floor! That's my Lhasa Apso for you - we don't know why but he will lick the floor.

It might help if you burn some incense -- I do this --- because sometimes we come home, the dogs have unrinated and pooed in their toilet. To help ease the smell, I burn some incense.The joss sticks type - I find, less expensive and have a stronger scent to overcome the doggie smell.