Hi,

I've seen previous posts on this, but I still wanted a bit more advice...

A lot of people on here have said that they have had no problems with smelly dogs and never bathe them, but our lab seems to smell after a few weeks. He's been bathed twice in his 8 month life and the last time wasn't that long ago - and was because he was simply filthy and smelly from being in kennels on a farm....

Now he has started to smell again and I don't really want that, is it ok to bath him once a month? Or is that too much? I love his coat after a bath because it's lovely and soft and he doesn't smell at all. Now when you stroke him he leaves a greasy residue on your hands and smells....

I knew a lab many years ago that was similar and she made the whole house smell, I don't want my dog to do that if I can help it.... People will stop coming to see us!

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks
Ruth

Hi Ruth,
   I'm sure once a month is fine if your dog needs it.  Just use a mild shampoo and dilute it well.  Is he just smelly because he's getting mucky out, or does he just smell in general?  Just wondering, because when our collie used to sleep on a doggy quilt bed, in the winter especially she used to absolutely pong - think she sweated more on it or something, and it used to feel damp underneath in the morning.  Anyway, it was quite a horrible smell, but have had no problems since she now just sleeps on a carpet mat with a piece of fleece blanket on it.  At one stage she also had one of those big plastic baskets, but that used to get wet too, like condensation from her body heat, though okay in summer.
  Hilda

Hi Hilda,

Thanks for the reply on Christmas Eve!

He spends a lot of time outside - when we're out and at night. He has the run of our conservatory and the garden. He has a plastic bed in a crate, but currently nothing else to lie on because he chews it to bits!! I keep trying to give him something to snuggle up to, but it's always in bits in the morning!

We have some puppy shampoo that we used last time, that should do the trick.

Thanks - and merry christmas!

Ruth

Hi Ruth,
Just a thought, but if he spends a lot of time outside he will need the waterproofing oils on his coat to stop him getting wet, chilled and ill.
If you're going to keep removing his protective coating, you may well have to keep him indoors.
:)

Dogs do smell more when they spend a lot of time outside. If you do bath him, make sure he's not left outside while he's still wet, at this time of year he will get chilled as JG says.

Got to agree. When I was with my first husband he insisted that Sam stay outside if I wasn't in the house and at night. She did pong

As soon as I kicked his sorry butt out she got a bath and moved indoors and now only needs washed about twice a year, if that. :)

My lot apart from Min (coughing still:( ) all had a big Christmas Eve walk and all got totally covered in mud so then when we got home and all had a shampoo and hose down then dried off after a big chewie stick each :D

All are now full of Christmas dinner and lots of snores echoeing around the house !!

What a lovely Christmoose we have all had :D

Lucy
xxx
ps hope everyone has as well !!

I tend to have a routine of baths just before i put their frontline drops on. This is every two months, just go keep any smells at bay and aid shedding. (They do have it though - Last time i had to carry my Border collie up the stairs with her holding on for dear life - yet she'll happily paddle in a freezing clod muddy stream?!!)

hi ruth my puppies vet said it was ok to bathe doggy once every two weeks as long as the temperature was warm enough so she will not get a chill. Try keeping doggy indoors. Or Use a washcloth with puppy shampoo, its more on the surface but may help reduce the smell.