Telling a stranger they smell of dog

[Hillyhillocks]

I haven't, but recently on two occasions I've really wanted to.

Last week the small train carriage i was in stank of wet dog really strongly - two women in seats opposite. I thought they just need to clean the carpet. Cue 2 days later, one of the same women again and bad smell again.

Yesterday in a store I got a strong wiff and there was someone beside me. Went to another part of the store and the smell returned when she did.

Obviously I said nothing but if it was me I think I would want to know. The lady on the train was with a colleague or friend- it must be very difficult for them - the smell was overpowering. She was talking about having ten puppies - they must be peeing on her coat!

Would you ever say anything? I'm probably going to smell the train lady again.

I sympathise but no, you can’t tell a stranger that. Perhaps I have a particularly good sense of smell but people who own dogs always smell faintly or more strongly of dog. As do their homes. They don’t notice it because it’s normal to them. But I can tell immediately on meeting someone if they have a dog. I’ve never been wrong. (My DH refers to it as my super power!)

If it's a close friend or family member then I would. I would never tell a complete stranger 😯

I know what you mean. My cousin and her house wreak of this gross dog smell but I haven't said anything as she does really try to keep her house clean. I don't want to embarrass her. People do mention it though when she's not around.

Obviously you can’t tell strangers this but you’re not wrong OP, people who are too into their dogs do stink of it and it is grim. It can’t really be avoided either. My lovely friends have a dog and are scrupulous about cleaning to try and avoid their house having the dog smell and to their credit it does sort of work…but as soon as you enter the area that has the crate and the blanket it reeks to high heaven again…and this is people who are really trying!

I would tell a friend though if they constantly stank of dog, if I have noticed then other people will and it’s embarrassing for them

No. Why would you think it’s OK to do this?

Perhaps she has a rank old coat that she keeps specifically for public transport in order to guarantee that the seat next to her will stay empty.

Sounds like a good idea.

A good friend of mine has 4 dogs and her house absolutely stinks. Really overpowering.

I wasn’t there often (lives at other end of the country) but when I did visit (always for brief visits before we went out somewhere) I was always thinking of a way to bring it up, although not sure I ever would.

Until one day she said that a visitor had just straight out told her “your house stinks of dog”. She looked really upset and was kind of looking to me to reassurance that it didn’t. She said she didn’t think it did. I’m afraid to say I changed the subject as I couldn’t bring myself to lie, but also couldn’t bring myself to tell her that it really did.

Genuinely dont know how fixable it is. Her carpets must be drenched in dog pee and fur. It’s not a case of just hoovering and opening some windows.

Maybe the dog smell lady thinks that you smell too. Of what who are we to know. Maybe you could swap smell feedback, see how you both feel about it..

Does your friend have any children? @ElReverendoGreen

i would be very concerned for my friend’s mental health if she lived like this

I wouldn’t say but I have to admit the smell of dog makes me sick. We can’t go to any relatives houses now and they can’t come to us as they all have dogs now and I actually vomit due to it (it’s a sensory aversion due to ASD)

She does, but thankfully young adults and have moved out now.

I don’t know details of her mental health, but she genuinely cannot smell the dog smell.

I would say living how you describe would indicate there’s more to it.

Does she live alone?

She was talking about having ten puppies - they must be peeing on her coat!

Puppy pee smell is bloody awful as it does seep into your skin and clothes as there is nothing you can do. The only reason someone with puppies wouldn't smell like dog is if they are neglecting those puppies.

Be thankful there's one more person out there is probably isn't abusing puppies and the mother - given how many people seem to think it's acceptable to neglect puppies and the mother these days - and keep your mouth shut.

I have a very poor sense of smell, I can go months with no sense at all so I guess I'm protected from this issue although it brings a heap of other issues. What I can't stand is people with loud voices, I avoid them, but they appear everywhere in coffee shops, on buses, colleagues, shops etc. If you get to tell people they smell then I guess I'd get to tell people they are too loud. Both relate to a sensory sensitivity.

Everyone smells of something, everyone.
I've had to get off the bus sometimes because someone smelt awful but I'd never walk up to a perfect stranger unsolicited and tell them they reek of dog.

Yesterday the shelf stacker lad in Sainsbury’s (who pointed out where to find a certain item) was absolutely stinking. Not BO but pungent unwashed clothes or body. It was sickening to encounter especially in a food store.

I debated whether to tell him.

Decided not to. Judging by previous posters, probably glad I didn’t say anything especially as so rightly pointed out, he was in no position to sort himself out at that point.

No. I also worked in retail and some customers smelled absolutely rank - one gentleman smelled so badly of urine that I had to stand back to serve him, others smelled 'sour', it was a little like dog but was really just unwashed person. A lot smelled of weed but fondly imagined nobody could tell they smoked. Not my place to tell them, that's up to family and loved ones. But yes, it is hard to be around.

OP. I have something to tell you.

You smell.