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Property/DIY

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Original poster

How much would the smell of dog put you off?

79 replies

snarferson · 07/07/2016 18:09

As the title says. How much would the smell of dog put you off a house?

I want to sell my house. A 3 bed semi with offroad parking in an affordable area. The house has just had a make over. New floors throughout. Painted and decorated. Modern kitchen/bathroom/downstairs loo. Large garden just done. Fake grass with patio area and south west facing so loads of sun especially in the evening. No mud.

Only want to move to be nearer family. It's a really nice place to live. I've done it up in the hope of selling.

However I have 2 large dogs and it can smell kennel esq. I get quite embarrassed although I know it's part and parcel of having dogs. It's always kept spotless in hoover and clean daily but the smell just lingers.

Do you think it would put people off? Baring in mind the rest of it is ok? Or am I worrying to much? TIA.

OP posts:

Original poster

snarferson · 07/07/2016 19:05

Yes they would. I'd be too scared to do it myself! Not on the market yet but hoping to very soon.

OP posts:

friends123 · 07/07/2016 19:11

Me too, I hated the idea of people weighing up my house. Honestly get a lamp, walk the dogs during and have a lovely supply of fresh flowers.
I also did what somebody else said and hid the dogs bed a in the car. Things you do hey.

Original poster

snarferson · 07/07/2016 19:13

Thank you friends I am noting all these

OP posts:

UmbongoUnchained · 07/07/2016 19:16

It would put me off. And no matter what you do, someone who is not used to the smell of dogs will smell it.

puggymummy1 · 07/07/2016 19:33

I have two Ashleigh and Burley lamps and I absolutely love them!

YABVVU · 07/07/2016 19:36

The smell of Dog is vile to me. Foul beyond acceptance. No way would I buy a house that smell of Dog.

There are plenty of (stinky) Dog lovers out there.

Coughingchildren5 · 07/07/2016 20:16

Buy some plug in air fresheners. Turn them on and take the dogs out when you have viewings. Hide the dog bowls. Open a few windows. No one will notice

Chillywhippet · 07/07/2016 20:42

We got the dogs shampooed at a groomers. This really helps them smell much better for a while.

We got carpets shampooed too but you have wooden floors. We febreezed soft furnishings and curtains. Plug in airfresheners.

Washed dogs bedding on hot and put all beds, bowls etc away in garage when viewings. Open window and doors and really air the house beforehand.

Dogs always out if you have viewings. The agents won't want them there and can't do viewings with dogs there if you are not.

When agent came to take pictures she asked for a key and I mentioned the dogs and she was really shocked to hear we had them.

It is a bit of work but it can be done!

NorfolkEnchance · 07/07/2016 20:59

The dog smell would put me off. I love fake grass though!
Sounds like you've put a lot of effort in, hope you manage to find a buyer soon.

cressetmama · 07/07/2016 21:11

Everyone I know has dogs; if that's where you are, I don't think it will matter as long as the house is clean, hoovered, and has no structural issues. Open windows (country people like air) and get on with it. Mind you, I had to have my car valeted twice professionally to get rid of the tobacco stench. Probably a problem if you live in a city or suburbia.

specialsubject · 07/07/2016 21:12

Dog smell is bad. Dog smell overlaid with stinky plug ins or reeking candles is worse!

If it has just been done up and still pongs it must be bad. Suggest keeping dogs outside and getting place steam cleaned.

cressetmama · 07/07/2016 21:15

Agree about stinky plugs and candles.

cressetmama · 07/07/2016 21:16

Young healthy well exercised dogs should not smell bad.

PartiallyStars · 07/07/2016 21:20

The house we currently live in smelt of dog when we looked round, and also had dog hairs in the carpet everywhere, even the loft room. Especially the loft room, actually. I have to say it was off putting, but we bought it anyway because it was the only house we saw that otherwise ticked all our boxes in terms of room layout, garden, location, period etc. I did cry when we moved in though - thought they would have cleaned a bit but the carpet was still full of dog hairs, and there were fleas...

Anyway, just wanted to say if someone really wants a house they will buy it but if there is another less doggy house that is as good they will probably go with that one. Unless they have dogs themselves maybe?

BluePitchFork · 07/07/2016 21:25

would be a dealbaker, sorry.
dog smell is not pleasant (for non-dog owners) and I would worry that the smell would not easily go away.

Paperkins · 07/07/2016 21:27

I wouldn't view the house if I there were dogs in there, so no way would we buy the house if it smelt of dogs. But, I really, really don't like dogs.

InternationalHouseofToast · 07/07/2016 21:29

DS and DH have animal fur allergies, as does my dad, so those new floors you've put in would have to be in the skip. My dad couldn't visit otherwise. Sorry.

It's partially I'd be concerned that the smell wouldn't go, but also just that it flags that there have been larger dogs in the house. My sister bought a house which previously housed 2 German shepherds, she struggled to get rid of the smell without removing the carpets downstairs.

NoonarAgain · 08/07/2016 09:25

I think it depends on the competition! e.g. If there were similar non doggy houses available or not. we are looking to buy and i would assume that a house could be de-doggified quite easily.

we have a dog and have just sold our house. the EA said she didn't even know we had a dog!! at times, our house can stink but we solved the problem by ventilating well, taking the dog out for viewings, hiding his dog bed, using a pet odour spray on rugs, leaving windows open, bathing the dog (but not immediately before a viewing).

Ifailed · 08/07/2016 09:29

honestly speaking, I'd be put off by the smell of dog, but what would be the real deal breaker would be the artificial turf.

Original poster

snarferson · 08/07/2016 10:33

I think it is the actual dog that smell. I'm always in the house with them and when they leave for walks etc it's with me so wouldn't know if it goes when they leave. It might not be as bad as I think but since being pregnant I've become really sensitive to smells . I don't know why people feel the need to be nasty though and call me a stinky dog lover . They have never been on the carpets and don't go upstairs as I have said so finding it strange people are still saying they'd remove the carpet.

And they are not so young but healthy and excersized but the do still smelly houndy as they are large hounds!!

I don't care if people like the grass or not. I had to get it for practical reasons. They can remove that easily enough and put turf down.

General consensus is it seems I've made a massive fail here

OP posts:

Somerville · 08/07/2016 10:44

I have a dog but yes, it would bother me.

The only area in my house that smells of dog, once she's out, is the utility room where she sleeps. I can get rid of it by putting her bedding in the washing machine and washing the floor and skirting boards with dettol. Not neat - a capful in a bucket of water.
The dettol smells quite strong itself of course, but it's a clean smell.

eatyouwithaspoon · 08/07/2016 10:48

It wouldnt put me off but I have had dogs, just take them out and keep house well aired. I wouldnt be that fussed about the fake grass as you say can easily be changed.

Andagainandagainandagain · 08/07/2016 10:53

It would put us off. We bought a house which had doggy residents previously and 9 months later it still smells a bit. We are gutting the house though so aren't bothered.

However that is carpet that the dogs had been on. I would experiment with diffusers and airing and get one of your non doggy friends/neighbour to come round and give some honest feedback.

PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass · 08/07/2016 10:55

Wash your dogs! If they stink wash them and their bedding regularly. Use decent deodorising dog shampoo. I'd be put off a house that stank of plug ins or similar. Open your windows everyday.

Twinkie1 · 08/07/2016 10:57

I'd just be honest. Say dogs only go on hard surfaces so carpets are clean and fresh and it's the actual dogs that are a bit whiffy.

If people don't like it they won't buy your house. Make sure rooms are aired upstairs.

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