Baths
We started out bathing him once a week, but that became too harsh on my skin as well as his. Now sometimes we go 4 or 5 weeks between baths. Sometimes he starts to smell in a couple of days, other times he doesn't seem to smell for a long time. Is it possible my nose has become used to his aromas and that people visiting my house my be offended more than I think? I'm glad I can ask these questions anonymously. Thank you. |
|
|
| Hi Guest,
Don't be embarrassed to ask any questions. You are among friends. I give my smelly sheepers baths only when they need it. Sometimes a couple of months can go by and sometimes it is twice a month. Depends on the weather and what they might decide to roll in or romp through. If you are concerned about how often you bathe them, try baby shampoo. We like it because it is gentle and you can use it on their stinky faces (My Hank's whole head goes into his feed bowl). I know this is not the most scientific advice, so just do what works for you, but once a week seems a bit much (not to mention a lot of work). June |
| Thank you. It is embarrassing to say that my dog smells. I really do worry that other people think that my house smells badly too.
Have you ever tried that dry doggie shampoo? would that work on a heavy coat like a sheepie? Does it keep the aroma down? Thanks. |
| No, Guest, I never tried any doggie powders or sprays. I guess that it never really bothered me that much. I have two sheepers and a German Shepherd. Although I don't notice it too much, my house must have that "a dog lives here" aroma. I would say try those products if it bothers you that much. I would just caution you to watch for any sensitivities to the products.
I wonder if a dusting of baking soda and a good brushing might help. Just guessing here, but I always keep an open box in the refrigerator to absorb odors. I don't think it would irritate delicate skin either. Perhaps it might do the same for a damp or musty smelling Sheepdog? Can anybody else out there offer some help to our anonymous guest? Belly rubs, June |
| We have the same problem with our OES. When we first got GUS, we couldn't get over the stinch, and washed him weekly. Our vet advised that his is very bad for their skin, and that they should be washed only once or twice a month. I have purchased several doggy sprays to make him smell better during the in-between weeks. Although they help some, we've discovered that Fabreeze (sp?) works best. It's made for furniture odors, but if you read the label you'll discover that it is pet safe. Because OES's have such think hair, I don't think it ever penetrates to the skin anyhow. We use it all the time on Gus and have had no problems. Another solution is dryer sheets. Just rub one on your OES's fur and it will do wonders. We also use Shower to Shower powder form time to time.
A good way to test your house oders, is to leave for a week. When you come home, you'll smell what your guest's do. We realized that our house smelled after returning from a ten day vacation. I think we do become aclamated after a month or so to their smell. Since we got gus 7 months ago, we've doubeed the number of Glade Plug-In's in our house. |
| Just been to our vet and bathing came
up. Her reply is not to use harsh shampoos and times not matter as long as the shampoos are mild like an oatmeal base not to use the flea be gone stuff , to harsh on the skin have also picked up the mane and tail shampoo and cream rinse , nice stuff .. Have used dryer sheets for years on all the pets . not the spray frebreeze on the actual pet but everywhere else.. Have four dogs , keeps the house aired out floors swept and washed . oh yea forgot the cat,lol.. Never had a complaint about doggie smell unles s not keep up with the cleaning . another nice looking and smelling trick keep a basket of elycoutis ( there goes the spelling oh well  ) around.. |
I bath my two pups once a week or evry other week depends on how smelly they are. Like you i'am bothered of the smell. I used oatmeal shampoo and less warm water. I was told that using warm water can cause their skin become dry and start having some skin problem. I'am using the NO Bath Spray once i started to smell them and just wash their mouth and feet with their shampoo if i dont feel like to bath them. I used to clean, mop and vaccum our house once a week, now i'm doing it evry other day. It helps also to eliminate doggie odor inside the house. I dont allow them to stay in the sofa/couch and bed also. So far, my friend did'nt say anything that my house smell. I told her to tell me if our house starts to smell.  |
We've been bathing Harley about every three weeks. Just last night was the three week mark-- he'd been rather smelly anyhow, so we were planning a bath, but my husband let him romp outside with him in the dirt  so we had to do it for that reason, anyhow. He's shown no skin irritation-- we use oatmeal for his body (grey fur), some sort of dog shampoo that whitens on his legs and paws and back of head, and then puppy tearless shampoo for his head and nose so it won't hurt his eyes. We also use conditioner after all that.
I noticed that his crate is very smelly, so I wash the crate pad I made for him every couple of weeks, and I also throw in any cloth toys and his bed cover. He's not allowed on our couch or bed, but I vaccuum/clean with carpet cleaner the rug he likes to lay on in the living room. I don't think our house smells, and we've been away and come back for a weekend. However, we have mostly hardwood floors, so it's easier to keep the rugs clean, and I don't think the wood picks up the smell so much. I would just play it by ear and bathe him when he smells, but if that is frequently, then maybe try other suggestions. I do also wash Harley's paws and beard between baths as well. His paws get so dirty, and his drool discolors his beard, so I like to keep that somewhat clean. Other than that, it's hard to have such a big dog and not have some sort of smell-- a little smelliness comes with the territory, but as long as it's not too bad, hopefully you can handle it. Good luck! |
| Chewie gets a partial bath every week. He is almost a year, and in full coat.
I put him in the bathtub, run about 4 inches of water and have him lay down. Then I wash his face, beard and chest. I also wash his legs and underbelly. Sometimes I use a whitening shampoo, other times one of the collection of shampoos I have around home. I also use a rinse. If I really am in a hurry, I leave him standing in the water, and just wash his lower legs and face. Although as his coat has grown, I really need to wash the urine , etc, off his belly. Bad smell! I haven't washed the rest of him in several months. I find by the end of the week he has a definite odor and really needs the bath! I also wash all the dog beds and crate pads weekly, and wipe out the crates with chlorox cleanup at that time. |
| I have a rule, if I think of fabrezeing the dog, it is time to wash it. |
| I wash all over once or twice a year. Whites every week, that includes between there legs and along the Belly/undercarriage, face and feet.
Brie has just had an all over a few weeks ago, been 12 months for her 
In between baths, when I groom I always use a grooming spray to spritz over them while layer grooming to keep them fresh and smelling nice. Too much washing all over creates more matting as dries out the coat and skin and takes the natural oils and texture out of their coats, so it creates matt monsters  |
Seems there are many different variations of bathing times and hows and dont's ,, So far Ours is working well , no problems with hair , and smell..  So far what we are doing is working and I am pleased with as is Fiona . Good luck with your OES !!!! |
| Lunah got a bath today(!), last time was in February.
Usually she gets a bath two weeks before a show, but thats not often we are on shows. I dont think she smells bad, even if it is a long time ago since she got a bath. I guess the smell something you gets used to. |
| Violet and China get a bath every week. They smell great and I can tell they feel great after each bath. When Violet (OES) was younger I used to take her to a groomer about once a month/6 wks and would have them shave her underbelly hair. That was very helpful in dealing with the "belly" matts. I don't do that any longer. Violet is 4 yrs old now, so I am not dealing with the change of coat from pup to adolescence to adult. I brush Violet's hair everyday. I have not found the problem of their hair being oil deprived. Both dogs have beautiful coats. You will have to find what works for you.
Enjoy your sheepie! |
| I was just going to post the same question about how many times to bathe a dog. I washed mine a week and 1/2 ago and I am ready to give them another bath. I use oatmeal shampoo and baking soda conditioner. I also have plug-in room air fresheners and use Febreeze (antimicrobial) in my furniture. I have asked people if my house smells like dogs and they say No so I think it works. I also open windows very often even when it is cold to let fresh air into the house. You can try the Glade plug ins. |
| Just one question.
Why is it embarrassing if the house smells like dogs? |
Kristina wrote: Just one question.
Why is it embarrassing if the house smells like dogs?  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|