by Sarah Huth

Created on: May 21, 2008

Everyone knows how horrible a wet dog can smell. I have a cocker spaniel, and my little brother often thinks it's funny to put her in my bedroom after he's let her outside when it's raining. Many a time have I opened my door to find my dog rolling on my bed, clothing, and carpet, and spreading the smell that most people know simply as "wet dog" everywhere. While this is certainly one cause for bad canine odor, there are several others. Sometimes it is as simple as your pet rolling in something that they shouldn't have, but other times it can actually be due to medical conditions.

The most obvious reason for bad odor in a dog is that they haven't had a bath recently. Like people, dogs produce body odor, especially if they are very active. Dogs also tend to sweat, and while the sweat itself isn't very smelly, when combined with built up dirt and body odor, it can be quite foul. Regular washing and grooming will help to eliminate this problem.

If your dog is noticeably dirty, chances are pretty good that they've just rolled around in something disgusting outside. It is believed that dogs roll in smelly things in order to mask their scent, or perhaps to advertise to other dogs what they have "found". Wolves, for example, are known to roll in the feces of other animals in order to hide their scent, and in doing so, sneak up on prey much easier. As dogs are descendants of wolves, it is very possible that this is what your pet may be doing. Make sure to give them a bath, scrubbing thoroughly in order to get any built up dirt or grim off of them. Their fur might be matted, depending on what exactly they were rolling in, but if you spend some time washing them, it should all come out. Try not to let your dog play in wooded areas, or let them wander in your backyard without a leash on; there are woods at the edge of my backyard, and nearly every time we let my dog outside without her leash, she comes back smelling like something rotten.

Another fairly obvious reason as to why dogs may smell is due to excess waste left around their genitals. As dogs lack the ability to "wipe" after they've done their business, it's very common for bits of waste to become left behind, especially if your dog has very long hair. Use a warm cloth and some soap and simply wipe them down if it is clear that that is where the smell is coming from. It is also helpful to keep the area near their bottom clipped shorter, to prevent things from becoming attached to it. An infection of the anal glands

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