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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

DH's dog coming to live with us! Help me prevent my house smelling of dog.

55 replies

McDreamy · 06/04/2009 21:33

We've lived abroad for a few years and DH's parents very kindly looked after the dog but it's time to have him back. I am not a dog lover and really do not like the smell of dogs. Tips on keeping a fragrant non doggy house required! I have already told DH that the dog needs to be regularly bathed and groomed but any other top tips?

OP posts:

FlorenceDaphne · 06/04/2009 22:42

Tortoise - I was thinking of the teeth scraping operation. Our old rescued greyhoud had to have it done. His teeth were a frightful sight to behold.

Tortoise · 06/04/2009 23:07

florence Ah I see . Hopefully i am preventing that by brushing mines teeth. (when i remember!)

FfreckleFface · 06/04/2009 23:17

I heart the smell of wet dogs. However, I appreciate that might just be me...

I hoover everyday, and make sure that their bedding is washed regularly. Ours don't get bathed - we've got two, so they tend to clean each other (and also, I don't much fancy trying to bath two 8 stone rottweilers who aren't especially keen on water. My small bathroom might not withstand it!) - and I don't notice a smell, nor do any visitors. I always ask, because I am paranoid that I just don't notice the smell.

Enjoy your new family member.

Original poster

McDreamy · 06/04/2009 23:18

I will try my best freckle

OP posts:

springlamb · 06/04/2009 23:21

I have a golden retriever who sheds hair everywhere. Goldens love rolling in mud as well. And I wouldn't bath a dog more than once a month in winter and never in summer. He hates having a clean bed, he likes his bed to smell of him.
I don't think my house smells doggy at all. It's well-aired in all weathers, dysoned daily, all dog food is sealed away in airtight containers.
There's nothing worse than a whiff of pigs ear as you walk through the kitchen.

Original poster

McDreamy · 06/04/2009 23:27

All you people that that own dogs and do not have dog smelly houses are very encouraging

OP posts:

springlamb · 07/04/2009 09:54

Also, very important that dog is properly exercised and allowed some time off lead (under safe conditions of course).
A tired dog is a happy, quiet, non-destructive lump asleep in the corner.
So you will need to sort out a dog-walking outfit, a bumbag with assorted treats and lots of poo-bags!

Geepers · 07/04/2009 10:00

A house with a dog in will always smell of dog, even if you become immune to the smell yourself. The chances are your guests will just be too polite to tell you if you ask them outright, or they are just used to teh smell of your home. I can tell immediately if a house has a dog live in it, even if it isn't there at the time.

As long as you hoover regularly, dry dog well after he gets wet and wash his beds weekly it will keep bad odours to a minimum.

hatwoman · 07/04/2009 10:12

here's a tip - one that I learned last night. don't ever be tempted to make tripe doggy biscuits. however fond you are of being all earthy and green and not spending loads of money on overpriced dog treats do not, on any account, cook tripe. if you value your nose's sensitivities.

gardeningmum05 · 07/04/2009 10:13

a house with a dog always smells.
i can always tell if a house has a dog, just dont mention the horrible smell to be polite, sorry, not really what you wanted to hear

MitchyInge · 07/04/2009 10:15

how can you not like the smell of dog?

ABetaDad · 07/04/2009 10:20

Geepers/gardeningmum - you are right. Any place where a dog lives will smell of dog.

That is why I said above in this thread that the dog has to be confined to one easily cleaned area of the house or to live outside in a kennel and run.

If anyone lets a dog roam around a house the whole house will smell. People are too polite to say anything and it easy to get used to the smell. Many dog owners houses just stink. My parents have dogs in the house and it smells (a bit) but only where they live in the utility room but no where else. Cleaning regularly also keeps the smell down as does immediatley removing uneaten food and washing their bed blanket every week.

Bottom line is keep the dog out of the main body of your house and enjoy your dog but not its smell.

supergluebum · 07/04/2009 10:21

I have a big dog and my house doesn't smell doggy, but he sleeps outside at night, rain or shine, either on the patio or in the shed (he's big) he has the option. Keep the house aired and leave wet dog outside or in kitchen for as long as poss after a walk. It's a tough decision to take a dog on if you don't really want one. Considering you're not keen, have you had "the talk" about who is going to do all the walking and caring for said hound? I love my dog, but wouldn't neccessarily have chosed such a big one myself. DH bought him for my birthday 8 years ago, and then promptly buggered off to the Balkans for 4 months, leaving me to feed, train and look after an enormous puppy and work full time.....just a thought!! And to all you considering eating a lovely dog! Now cats...they are truly pointless, but could be alright with hoisin sauce!

FigmentOfYourImagination · 07/04/2009 10:21

dogs honk.

some breeds more than others.

iggypiggy · 07/04/2009 10:23

Take comfort that a house with a dog never ever smells as bad as a house with a cat...

My parents have a dog - my MIL has 3 cats and is fanatical about cleaning. Both DH and I agree that the cats smell... is no way around it, no matter how much MIL tries.

We have a dog now (I say now - because we used to comment on the cat smell well before we were immune to dogs smells!) - am sure house does smell a bit - although I don't notice. He is a lab and they shed ALOT - so we hoover alot and brush him in the garden alot with a lovely homemade flea spray recipe (involves Tea tree essential Oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil and geranium oil - plus warm water - smells Gorgeous) and if you use that every day - whern he gets wet - he smells faintly of the spray

gardeningmum05 · 07/04/2009 10:30

too much hassle for me iggypiggy, i dont spend that amount of time on myself in a day

iggypiggy · 07/04/2009 10:32

Neither do I gardeningmum the dog gets far too much attention! I do make up a big batch of it that lasts for about a month tho... and he only takes a couple of mins to brush... but I see what you are saying

gardeningmum05 · 07/04/2009 10:36

quite like the thought of a lavendar smelling dog though, does it work on the kids

purpleduck · 07/04/2009 10:46

We have 2 dogs and our house doesn't smell of dog.
I know this because I used to obsessively ask anyone friends who came over.

I DON'T bathe mine all the time as my greyhound feels compelled to roll in the smelliest thing she can find after a bath.

I do think it helps that we have 2, as they always have their tongues in each others ears - keeping each other all sparkly clean

purpleduck · 07/04/2009 10:49

Actaully, I take that back - they greyhound just farted and MY GOD!!!

frostyfingers · 07/04/2009 10:58

One trick is to sprinkle dried lavender over carpets, leave for a short while, then hoover up.

gardeningmum05 · 07/04/2009 11:05

dried lavender from a lavender plant in the garden?

kidcreoleandthehotcrossbuns · 07/04/2009 13:04

We have 2 dogs and our house doesn't smell of dog because they don't come into the house! they have their own house outside and a run. I wouldnt have them in.....I have enough to do without picking up dog hair and wiping up dirty paw prints. Luckily they are working dogs and so have never been inside so dont mind at all.

OrmIrian · 07/04/2009 13:07

What breed. IME shorter haired seem to be less smelly (assuming they are healthy and haven't recently found badger poo )

gardeningmum05 · 07/04/2009 13:08

all dogs are smelly, i think the bigger the dog the smellier, but the small yappy things smell too, and they are noisier

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