Dog smell - I didn't think of this before getting one

[heyitis]

Argh, it's awful! So bloody bad

We are a very clean family, and put a lot of effort in to have a clean and tidy home ticking over all the time

Just got a dog and the smell is horrific. It is so bad. And the dog isn't even allowed upstairs! People joked that I would go nose blind but I haven't. I can smell it constantly

I have hard flooring. But I walk in and he's smelling the place out. It's disgusting 🤢

Will this calm down once I've taken him to the groomers? I haven't done so yet as he's a rescue and I didn't want to attack him with shampoo and the like before he was settled

He's very calm so should be fine. I have booked him in for the clean in a few days

What else can I do? It's really getting me down - He is otherwise a perfect match. And such a kind, gentle soul.

I am... washing throws etc regularly. Keeping his oral hygiene up. Washing stuff again very regularly

All factors before getting him were considered. Time? Yes. Space? Yes. Temperament of dog? Yes, brilliant. Willing to walk him? Yes.

I don't know why I didn't think to research that actually, now matter how hard you try, your house will stink

I think all dogs smell a bit, but you can keep on top of it. Regular grooms, showering at home between grooms, regular brushing and high quality food really help. We have hard floors which are cleaned daily, wipeable sofas and wash their bedding every other day.

Our very short haired dog didn’t smell that much compared to a friends dog who used to cone to stay he stank. He had allergies and ate his feet a lot and had dodgy ears so I think that was a lot to do with it.

Our old girl was PTS 2 weeks ago and I’m actually missing her smell, it was a comfort. She didn’t smell dirty to me she just had “her” smell and I miss burying my head in her neck for a hug and a sniff. Yes I’m weird

Dear OP, thank you so much for your post. It made me laugh out loud and feel so much better considering that I am at work and it is only Tuesday. I have nothing to say that other people did not already point out, but let's summarize:

-a bath is definitely in order, but if I were you, I would take him to a groomer for this first time, for a thorough clean. I give mine a bath once a month. They also smell a little when they are wet.
-all dogs have scent (although us owners think that they smell like roses 🥰), but some smell worse. Google says that Greyhounds do not smell, so there.
-there IS such thing as anal glands emergency. I have16 years old dog and did not do anything about her anal glands until very recently, not sure what she was doing with it before, but this time it got really infected and required surgery. Now we take her to the vet to do it (I would never) and they can stink really bad.
-it is possible that your dog is anxious and that is why he stinks a little badder 😩.

I hope this gets sorted out soon. He is gorgeous, and I can tell you love him very, very much already. Hugs.💕

Am feeling sorry for the dogs in all these houses with plug ins etc. If there was a dogsnet they’d be on there complaining about being gassed by chemicals 24/7.

Dogs smell. Of dog. If you’ve got a dog it’s not unpleasant (I used to love a good sniffy inhale of my now departed lab). If it’s offensive of course bath the dog, try different food etc.

Current dog also smells great, save for the fox poo/horse shit rolling days. And that popcorn smell on the paws.. ahhh

We had to bath our rescue straight away as he stunk. He could also have worms so vet him to the vet and get the worming tablets that also makes them smell horrible.

I have a couple of friends one with a lurcher, one with a greyhound and their houses smell much less than some of the smellier dogs like labradors or spaniels. I don't think this is as much of a problem as with some other types, so good luck!

I personally don’t agree all houses with dogs smell. My child had a play date at what could only be described as probably one of the nicest homes in the Cotswolds. £5 million according to rightmove. Could not believe three goldies lived there. One of dogs was even lounging on a white sofa! I’m desperate to know what sorcery was going on.

My older daughter loves to smell our dogs paws, says its a yummy smell. I though she was unique that way.🤣

I use baby shampoo and it does the trick. I wouldn't use a normal human shampoo as it would sting if it went in his eyes.

I'm sorry but dog owners really are nose blind. Dogs really do stink

Also once the bond deepens with your dog these small annoyances truly pale in comparison to the love that emerges. That unconditional love you dog will develop for you is profound, well to me it is.

I have autism and have severe sensory difficulties with smell and the worst one for me is the dog smell I can smell it a mile off and always know if someone has a dog as can smell it just being near them even if they haven’t got a dog near them ! It’s a huge issue for me but I’ve known 2 people who had dogs and their houses did not smell at all - both had poodle mixes who went to a groomer very regularly and even I couldn’t smell it so you can very occasionally get non smelly dogs !

I would also give his ears a sniff, they can get a bit cheesy smelling and need a clean with a wet wipe.
we have a short-coated dog and I dilute shampoo in a bottle of water before using it. Gives good coverage without using the whole bottle.

His anal glands may need emptying. Not only will his nether regions smell but his breath will after licking said regions!

I've never had a dog because I'm allergic and I can tell you, I always smell the dog in friends houses, even if they're very clean! Also on their clothes too. I just think it's part and parcel of having a dog to be honest.

Weekly!? I imagine most short haired breeds would struggle with this and cause irritation. Every 2-3 months is more than adequate.....unless its constantly rolling around in fox shit 🤢

I was waiting for the post bath dog.. you know the light grey greyhound!!

Honestly he is a cutie x

Re kennel smell - if ours are ever in kennels while we are away on holiday, we pay to have them groomed before we pick them up. Otherwise they really stink.

Are you sure he’s not weeing on curtains etc? I find when we stay in dog friendly Airbnbs, there’s often an overwhelming smell of stale dog wee because they have long curtains and too many soft furnishings.

Don't use human shampoo on a dog. Their skin has a different PH level and it will irritate their skin

Keep windows open regularly and ensure the house gets a good airing daily. I don't have a dog but a cat and I keep her litter tray outside during the day. The living room windows are left open for a few hours daily so my house doesn't smell catty. Fresh air makes a big difference as it gets rid of stale, Unpleasant odours.

There’s no need to bath him OP, you’ve only had him a couple of days. He will still smell of the kennel environment but that will dissipate and greys are quite clean dogs, as in they groom themselves quite well. A good brushing will really help (as will good quality food). I agree with PPs something (that may be for him) as stressful as a bath should be left until he has truly settled down in your home. I know you have said he is very laid back and I’m sure he is but that doesn’t mean he has fully decompressed - that can take three months or so. If you absolutely insist on bathing him then remember greys have extremely thin skin - it’s very delicate and easily torn and also due to their low body fat, make sure he is thoroughly dried after and has warm covers. Bathing a grey too often can mean their very thin skin dries out - twice a year is plenty, if at all.

I have a springer spaniel and she gets washed - legs and underbelly, more if needed - every single day after her walk - we do it in a washing up bowl outside:warmish water and dog shampoo. We like a clean house and won't put up with smells or dog hair so we use the cordless vacuum cleaner pretty much every day on the hard floors in the kitchen which is where she has her bed - she hardly ever comes into any other part of the house. Every 3-4 months I take her in the shower (we have rubber mats in the shower tray) and she gets a proper all over wash - lathered up with dog shampoo and well rinsed - she doesn't mind - she's used to it. From the word go we've always made the wash after her walk a bit of a quality time for her - lots of kindness, fuss, fun and attention - you have to take that approach because if you see it as a tedious chore you're making it horrible for yourself - well - that's our approach.

He’ll smell because of the kennels (if he was in kennels).

I can rarely smell my dog, unless he’s particularly wet from a walk or when he’s been in kennels (if I go on holiday). Not because he doesn’t smell, but because I’m used to his normal smell. But when he’s been in kennels (which are very clean, underfloor heating etc), him and his bed stink, it’s a very doggy kennely smell 😂 the wet dog smell is different.

a bath and he should be good. You’ll probably still smell him a bit, but it should be much less.

Well you don't know it because it's not true. NOT ALL DOGS SMELL. There are so many different breeds you cannot possibly have been to a house that has each of the breeds.

Dogs have different types of fur/hair and that makes a difference.

Many of my friends have dogs and some of their houses smell of dog but quite a few do not. It's mainly the ones with greyhounds actually that do not smell.