Puppy blues!

[JessB1986]

Hi, we picked up our new puppy (fb1 cockapoo) on Sunday. We’ve had him 3 nights and she’s doing everything you would expect an 8 week old puppy to do. The trouble is I just can’t bare the smell! I’ve washed and hoovered everything umpteen times, including the dog (well I haven’t hoovered him obviously) but the smell is making me feel sick. He is definitely more cocker spaniel than poodle. It’s upsetting me so much I have completely lost my appetite. I’ve read lots of tips online but don’t know how I can face another potential 15 + years of this smell. I haven’t stopped crying today and feel so guilty because I really wanted him but now would happily give him back. Tell me I’m not the only one :-(

[fivedogstofeed]

Sounds like he needs to go back to the breeder

[BiteyShark]

My cocker had a 'puppy smell' which he no longer has.

Most dogs though will smell from time to time (thinking of fox poo rolling, anal gland issues). Are you sensitive normally to smells or do you think the normal puppy blues is making this seem a bigger issue?

[Tensixtysix]

I'm a bit confused about what you're saying? The puppy has a smell or is it from his /her bodily functions?

[WeAreStardustWeAreGolden]

When we got our Westie at eight weeks he had a very strong smell which I didn't like but it faded fairly quickly.

[JessB1986]

It’s not the smell of his poos. I can handle that because it’s goes straight in the bin. It’s the smell of the house. We have a family room where he spends all his time. He does go in the garden too but as soon as I come downstairs the dog smell hits me and I instantly feel sadness.

[JessB1986]

Do you think the smell faded or you just got used to it?

[whatcolourthough]

did the breeders house smell?
I've always loved puppy smell as they're clean and new so not sure what yours could be.
what is he eating?

[JessB1986]

The breeders house did smell yes but I put that down to the amounts of dogs. Also mum was a cocker spaniel which is said to be a smellier breed in general. Perhaps I was very naive to think because he was mixed with a poodle his smell would be less. My family aren’t keen on dogs in general and always tried to warn me about the smell and I think this has made me more paranoid. I want them to feel like they can visit but I already know this will put them off.

[heatseeker14]

Our cockapoo smelled really bad when we picked him up from the breeder. Bit weird because I didn’t notice the smell when we went to see him. He ended up in the bath when we got him home because he had been sick and pooed and managed to get it in his fur. He lost most of his puppy smell straight away. A few days later the smell was totally gone. When I sniff him now he doesn’t smell of much. I like sniffing him (haha). Even when he is wet he does not smell bad at all. Give it a few days I’m sure it will either wear off or you will get used to it...

[Jouska]

Cocker spaniels are not a smellier breed than other dogs

Puppies do have a stronger smell but really if this is an issue for you then things will get worse - there will be harder things to deal with......

[selfishcrab]

I was like this last week OP, DH brought home 3 cocker crosses 2 weeks ago, agreed 2 but he fell in love with the runt (rescue litter).
I cried for days about the smell but I'm either used to it now or they've lost the stink! I am in and out of the house work etc and the smell doesn't appear/hit me when I come home.
I do use Zoflora dog about 3 times a day to mop through and I burn essential oils (in the rooms pups aren't).
I do think it can be a psychological thing and if you want to keep pup then you have to get your head around that there will be smells... I am working throught this atm.

[BiteyShark]

Unfortunately if dog smells bother you (and your family) to that extent then dog ownership perhaps isn't for you.

[HairyDogsOfThigh]

Is it the general dog smell you are smelling, or does he have smelly ears? Spaniel ears can be very smelly as they have hairy, floppy ears that don't get much air circulating. Smelly ears are treatable, but usually a life long battle.
Have you had him checked over at the vet? You should do within a day or two of collecting him, for a general health check. Ask them about the smell, some dogs also have a skin condition (treatable) which is smelly too.

[TeacupRex]

Have you had a dog before? Dogs shouldn't be unbearably stinky but there can be a slight 'doggy' odour to them but not to the point it makes you feel sick. And I have a very sensitive nose and can be funny about certain smells!

I know of one puppy (funnily enough a cocker spaniel) that was sent back to the breeder because the husband couldn't stand the smell of it. Maybe there are people that just really can't deal with dog smell.

I think I'd rule out any skin or ear infections first. I hear cockapoos can be very prone to sensitive skins/ears and often have allergies.

[Nettleskeins]

my puppy was quite smelly when I first got him. I think like all babies they have a very distinctive smell, that you acclimatize too, but at first it smells alien and wrong (if it isn't your baby!) I remember saying to someone (senior dog owner) he smells very sweaty - apologies etc, and she said no, that is a clean healthy dog smell, he smells completely normal. It can also be to do with ear wax - maybe get his ears cleaned gently by the vet or checked? Mine had earmites at that age, easily cleared up with some Advocate from the Vet, earmites can increase earwax. Not sure what age you can give it, my new pup was 12 weeks.

Otherwise, make a decision quickly and return puppy if you really cannot bear it - I think it only took me a very short time to find him exhausting but irresistible. (a week?)

[Nettleskeins]

mine had very poodley ears

[Nettleskeins]

my sister has an 8 year old dog (lab), and I've always loved her smell (well not noticed it really). When she came round a few weeks after puppy arrived I can remember feeling suddenly overwhelmed by her smell. She didn't smell any different to before, it was just that I now found my puppy the best smell in the world, and her smell alien.
Smells are our sorting unfamiliar people from familiar people. It is a visceral means of survival.

[Nettleskeins]

why not give him back and research a poodle rather than a poodle cross?
What would concern me is that your extended family doesn't like dogs either. Is there anyone who feels a connection with dogs in your household?
Dogs need a lot of physical intimacy, feeling revolted by him isn't going to create much of a bond between you.
Also, washing a puppy too often isn't that good for their coats.

[fivedogstofeed]

Cocker spaniels are not a smelly breed.

Puppies smell lovely unless there is something wrong like an infection or they have been kept somewhere dirty like a dodgy breeder's shed

[Jouska]

@selfishcrab 3 puppies at once?!?! What rescue let you do that?

Sorry off topic but shocked

[Wolfiefan]

You bought a dog home and now you’re surprised that you can smell dog in your house????
Return to breeder/puppy farmer and never get another.

[selfishcrab]

Jouska it is a local rescue who know us (DS helps out) , know our home, who also know there are 5 adults ( all working different hours) so never home alone, that is the only reason we had the 3.

[hippityhoppityboo]

When we got our dog a year ago I hated how she smelt. It was mid winter and I would fling all the windows open and clean numerous times a day.
We had had a dog previously for 10 years that didn’t smell.
New dog smelt sour, especially around her mouth.
Now I’m used to her she smells lovely! And other people tell me she’s not a particularly smelly dog.
I think you’ll get used to it.

[hippityhoppityboo]

She also smelt like wee, as she obviously had accidents and then walked through it.
She smells like my dog now, not a strangers dog!!!

[Majorcollywobble]

Who else is in the house with you ? Can they get the pup checked over at the vet ?
Unfortunately you don’t sound like you will be able to cope with this poor pup . Please contact the breeder unless you obtained her from a puppy farm .