“Everyday dog habits explained from the grooming table.”
It's one of the most common questions I got in my salon: "I just bathed him and he still smells." Nine times out of ten, the bath wasn't the problem. Here's what I'd check first.
Plus, scroll down to see the single morning soft chew my 3-year-old, 100-pound sheepadoodle Cooper and my 6-year-old rescue Ginger get every day with breakfast.
Curly and thick coats like doodles hold water close to the skin for hours. A damp coat starts to smell musty, a little like laundry left in the washer.
Dry all the way to the skin, with a towel and then a dryer on a cool setting, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and between the legs.
A mat holds water and dirt right against the skin, and no bath gets through it. Brush before the bath, because water tightens mats.
If you can't get a comb to the skin, a groomer can help.
Sometimes the smell isn't the coat at all. Ears, teeth and full anal glands all have their own smell, and a bath won't touch them.
A groomer checks these every visit. If one of them smells strong, mention it to your vet.
A clean dog on a dirty bed is a smelly dog again by morning. Wash the bed cover, the blanket and the collar on bath day.
It's the step almost everyone forgets.
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Often it's moisture and yeast that love damp fur, especially in paws and ears. Dry thoroughly. If it's strong or comes with itching, ask your vet.
Doodle coats hold water close to the skin. If they're not dried all the way, they smell musty within a day.
Usually not. Too many baths can dry out the skin. Better drying, brushing and washing the bedding help more.
No. I'm a groomer of 30 years. For anything medical, ask your vet.
Give them an extra ear scratch from me.
Warmly, Cynthia, Cooper & Little Ginger