My personal opinion is that a dog that likes to be out in the rain/snow will stay clean just like the wild animals do and won't need a bath unless they roll in something disgusting. Dogs and cats shouldn't be bathed unless absolutely necessary as it drys their skin. If they don't like to be outdoors in the elements, just make sure you brush them regularly or give them a dry bath once in awhile.

Our dogs always loved swimming in the summers and in the winter their coats stayed clean naturally by being outdoors part of the time. There will always be a 'dog smell' because well -- it's a dog. Guess what? You smell too.

Anyone who does not want to deal with dog smells should probably not have one.

It MUST be a combination of the Holidays and puke economy, this is the SECOND very stupid post today.

Why am I wasting my time you ask (and I ask myself). From now on, IÂm just going to skip over idiot postÂs.

SG

Some dog shampoos do not work as well as others, stay away from the cheap shampoos and dont use shampoos for people - we have hair, dogs have fur.
Here is my recommendation - go get yourself a prodcut called BUDDY WASH, and BUDDY RINSE - they are both made with lavendar and mint, and make your dogs smell wonderful. That pug has lots of wrinkles, the wrinkles can trap dirt and oils from their skin. You may want to use a no tears shampoo around his face, use a q tip to clean out those wrinkles and be certain that you rinse well. Other than that, dont bath your dogs too often, once a month is fine - if the dogs have an oily feel and smell to them, you should be giving them a better diet, like Natural Balance. Here is a trick for the long hairs you have, if you know you are going out in the woods and are worried about plant hitchhikers, leave a bit of conditioner in your dog, once back from your hike, it will be much easier to goorm them and rid their hides of the plant matter. If your dogs roll in things, which they are suppose to do. go get yourself a small gasoline or water can, fill with water before you let the little buggers out, if there is no water hook up, you will have a handy water cannister ready to go to rinse off the offfending gook, wrap in a beach towel to transport to the bathing area. Good Luck, from one Happy Camper to another. PS - where do you bathe them, do you have a bin or do you take em in the shower...If you are washing them in the shower, they may not be getting clean enough. Stop at a Yard and feed store for a big plastic tub you can sink em into, use a solar shower for outdoor rinsing...just a thought.

Gayle, Your question is fine, please don't take the unkind response seriously, it was cruel and unproductive. Such responses say more about the responder than the poster.

Some things to rule out when your dog has an odor are ears, teeth, and anal glands. My dogs are a breed that is fairly odor free, but some breeds do have more of a natural odor. When they do need baths (not more than twice a year, really!) I use Avon Skin So Soft shower gel.

Happy holidays, your dogs do look like a happy bunch!

I would suggest you take them to a groomer every now and then so they can give them a good bath, clean and check their ears and also check their anal glands. A good groomer will also look for any type of skin problems your dogs may have.

My dog has a lot of fur and I take him to the groomer once a month for a wash & blow dry. We spend time at my DS's farm so he gets into a lot of stuff. He is a breed that doesn't have a doggy odor so when he does smell I know it's time for a trip to the groomer.

BTW, that's a cute bunch of 'stinkers' you have there!

Another opinion here, not saying it's best but it's what I can live with. I have two poodles that sleep with us and I bathe them once weekly. They go to the groomer once a month but even then I prefer to bathe them myself because I feel I'm more particular than the groomer likely has time to be. I use Fresh & Clean shampoo from Jeffers. For larger mostly outside dogs I probably wouldn't bathe that often.

I second the Buddy wash, I really like it.

My dogs don't have a dog smell...I brush them a lot (at least once a week, probably more) and keep their teeth clean. I think most dogs smells come from their mouth... of course I have short furred dogs also. I don't bathe them very often, maybe three or four times a year, unless they've gotten into something stinky.

A good fur smell remover is baking soda and peroxide. I've used it on skunk smell, but if you are having a smell problem, I'd probably try it.

Take the peroxide (1 quart), baking soda(1/4 cup) and mix them together in a bowl or bucket. Use a large bucket, because the mixture will foam up. You want to work the mixture, as is foams, into your dogs coat. You can use more if you need more... let is foam and work it into the fur.... rinse it out. (I wouldn't do this very often as I imagine it could dry out the skin....)

Usually I follow the soda/peroxide wash with a Buddy Wash.

Our dog, Cromwell also travels with us in our motor home and he can get himself into some pretty foul odors. He is a Field Springer and will find a swimming hole anywhere and swim in the water regardless of temperatures, levels of scum, or toxins present. We cannot always give him a bath. Many a time we are showering him off at the sanitary dump station. When no water is available we use is a waterless bath spray and brush it into him. This also helps us get out the burs, sticks and remaining forest parts he is carrying in his fur.

Here is a link that might be useful: traveling and cooking with grandpa

Thanks for your "KIND" responses. Which for out numbered the tacky one.

Pawle is a Pug and the little wrinkles have to be kept clean. I love my dogs and all three sleep with me at night. I have 1 acre fenced in for my dogs to run and play. They can get muddy and also get stickers. I check them daily.

I guess some Spiritual people just aren't the same religion as me.

Gayle

I would like to know what is stupid about your post. Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. I do however see a great deal wrong with comment number two (not counting your post). However, "treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you-not because they are nice, but because you are." Author Unknown. Vique

Oh my Spiritual Gardener!

May I suggest a litle Benefibre in your coffee in the morning? It may be just what the Doctor ordered to fix your nasty disposition.

ChaplainKen, Your Pizza looks awesome!

Gayle, I agree, I think some dogs just have a natural doggie smell and some don't.

I've only read one stupid post on this site today....but then this is the only thread I have read so far. Now I'[m going to look for rude ones.....where else have you posted SG?

happygolucky, pugs can be prone to skin infections and conditions which make them stinky, so if your pug is particularly stinky soon after a bath, then try an antiseptic shampoo for a while, especially if he/she is scratching or has dark leathery patches of skin/and or hair loss. I dont know if it's available in the USA but here in oz there is a good one called malaseb.

Also with the pug, the smell coming from the face wrinkles is a common problem. Those short noses and wrinkles can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so a daily wipe down with a mild salt solution can help with that. also check the ears to see if that is where the smell is coming from but the face is a prime suspect on short nosed breeds.

Well, I put on my raincoat and bathed all three today. Pawle Pug has a special prescribed shampoo. She has inherited mange. Not contagious. I wash her face very often. She loves her little wrinkles to me cleaned. I also have a Prescription Salve for her wrinkles.

She likes to be face to face with me on my pillow at night. So a clean face is very important.

Thank you for all you kind responses.

Raincoat? I usually put on a swim suit or just go naked. I gave up trying stay dry during bath time, years ago.

In fact on another thread, I confessed that I actually get in the tub with one of my dogs. I will sit in the tub, lay a towel in the bottom and put the dog between my legs. She is much less grumpy about her bath, if I am in there with her.

joepyeweed, I use to do the same thing. LOL!

It's nice to see the lil stinkers all together, they're such a happy bunch! And those pug eyes awwww Gayle, give a nose kiss to dear lil Pawle gal; what are the names of the other two? I like the look on the black mutt's face -'Should I give a profile shot?' hahaha

Must say, three of my five cats make NO fuss when I bathe them! The other two ... well I just don't bathe them anymore - I almost drowned when I tried to wash teir paws once just to see how they'd react - it was enough!

hugs,
Pranjal

My mini Jack Russell sleeps with me too, so I quickly notice when she starts to smell "doggy". I read the comments about using "people" shampoo, but I'm happy with the results. I lather her up with Prell, avoiding the face because the shampoo will burn her eyes. Every other bath, I use Neutrogena conditioner, like I would use on my own hair. It smells great and keeps her hair soft, plus it conditions her skin. I bathe her about every 4-5 weeks or sooner depending on her exposure to the snow and rain. I have an old large Tuppeware bowl that is her tub in my bathtub. She enjoys the bath, but doesn't like the towel drying. I had an Eskimo Spitz that I bathed just as often and she never experienced dry skin either. I think a dog just "feels" better after a bath and seems happier.

I think it depends upon the breed. I've had hound dogs who preferred to smell good, however their idea of what smelled good was the complete opposite of what I think smelled good.

Exactly Joe, before I put up a fence my Dogs would go into the pasture and roll in fresh cow manure. Needless to say...they got a outdoor hose bath.

Not a dumb question at all. Some dogs have more of a natural doggie smell then others. And some people have a more sensitive nose. DH complains more about our Dachshund Elvira's dog smell, it doesn't bother me. I use a special skin and coat shampoo because she has allergies. I usually only bathe her every 2 weeks especially in winter. But like today when she rolled in the compost pile, she was bathed twice in one day. LOL
Clare

Any time I hear an owner complain of a bad smell, I check for infection of the skin especially in the folds on breeds that have them, ears, and mouth. You say your dog has mange, which can predispose then to infection. Generally, bathing does not cure infections; you may need antibiotics or antifungal medication. Also check the ears very closely- with frequent bathing it is easy for the ears to get moist which predisposes them for infection. And being a Pug, she's got a cute but smushy face, which means her teeth are all kinds of crooked and crammed, which predisposes them to dental disease. All of these things can cause a bad smell, beyond what is normal for a dog (wet or not). I personally don't mind the smell of wet dog, or even dry dog, but infected dogs smell BAD. Is your dog on any treatment for her mange? I usually prescribe Selamectin or Ivermectin, not shampoos.... Just curious.

If all of these check out OK- no dental tartar, no deep ear infection, no bacterial or yeast skin infection secondary to the mange, then you just may be sensitive to doggie smell, which isn't a bad thing.

I can definitely recognize that yeast infection smell, when my labs ears are starting to get funky...I try to keep them dry but she likes to blow bubbles and submerge her entire head in her water dish, then shake it all over. She can't help it... she's a lab.

These are the cutest dogs! I love the pictures.

meghane,

My Pugs, RX is a Mustard Paste, plus she gets a monthly treatment of Frontline. The shampoo, I think is more for comfort.

She also has eyedrops, which I'm sure is common for Pugs.

Gayle