To consider giving away my dog because he STINKS.

[Honestbonniest]

This upsets me to be writing this but this is where I'm at.

I have a gorgeous, in tact, nearly two years old small breed dog (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) who absolutely stinks of wee. I honestly think it's gotten worse over time.

He doesn't have particularly long fur, but does have feathers. When he wees, he shoots pretty horizontally all over his front legs and belly. I have to fully wash with shampoo (I use a mild puppy one) his front legs and belly after every walk, including if he has just done a wee in the garden. He marks constantly so he is constantly weeing.

If I don't do this religiously, he stinks and makes all the furniture and carpets he lies on stink as well. This really, really bothers me, but the constant washing multiple times a day is also really draining for me.

I could trim his legs and belly right down to the skin, but then I see so many other dogs with long hair or feathers - do they stink of wee too? Plus he sometimes wees straight onto the leg, not just the feathers, so trimming the feathers in those cases won't help.

I have tried baby wipes and deodorising sprays etc but nothing gets rid of the stench apart from a proper shampoo wash and rinse.

I'm so tired of constantly washing him that I'm considering giving him away. I didn't think having a dog would be like this. Doggy smell is fine, but wee smelly is just awful.

Am I terrible?

Don't take on any more pets.
His problem won't disappear when he finds a new home.

Absolutely agree!

Completely agree with this - it’s a serious decision and not to be automatically done. However I would very much recommend talking to your vet as there may be an issue.

Take him to the groomers and have him clipped and bathed. Keep his fur short and take him to the vet. It sounds as if he needs attention.

I have a male chihuhua who used to do this- I mean, he’d pee on his tummy, then look down and pee on his face.

He did grow out of it and letting the grass grow a little longer helped too.

As for the marking, mine was awful before being neutered. I couldn’t take him anywhere . Belly bands did help while in the house