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Roommate nightmare

My roommate has a dog that she does not wash. She claims that she does, but he stinks up our entire apartment. It's like he jumps in dirty swamp water every day. I can't even go into how awful it is to eat dinner with the dog 30 feet away from me. Help. She says she gives him a bath but I KNOW she doesn't.

Wed. Sep 13, 11:54am

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Could you give him a bath maybe? Then you know he is getting a bath and maybe she will start bathing him because she feels guilty that you do.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 12:07 PM

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that was going to be my suggestion, too.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 12:10 PM

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A dog shouldn't need frequent bathing. If he seems to, you and the dog may not be compatible roommates, either because of his messy behavior or your sensitivity to it. It varies by breed, but many dogs shed dirt better and stay cleaner on average when they have more skin oils in their fur, and bathing removes the oils. The oils work better at shedding actual dirt than chemical odors. If he is playing somewhere that he picks up something especially smelly, maybe a change of play ground would help, if that's possible.
Medical issues are possible, but not too common.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 12:27 PM

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I worked at a vet/kennel for over a year so I might have some suggestions but since you're not the owner they may not help....

The food that the dog is eating almost always is the cause of an otherwise clean dog....it can make their pores emit stinky stuff and make their breath bad....is he eating food like Purina, Iams or Science Diet? If he is that's the first thing I would try to change! Also giving him fish oil pills everyday may help...There's also pet deoderizers sold at petstores and waterless foam shampoos for a quick dry wash.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 5:06 PM

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I work as a Vet Tech and dog trainer. I agree with giving him a bath. If he begins to smell again shortly after that, i would gradually swtich his food to something more natural, Like Wysong, California Natural, Pinnacle, ect ect. Crappy foods like Science Diet, Alpo, Purina, Iams, or pretty much any grocery store food is gross and not the best for the dogs long term health.....
Also, are you sure its the whole dog? not his ears? or breath? or anal glands??
Just a thought.......

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 6:23 PM

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6:23 poster
That's exciting! To meet another person who understand how horrible all of those other dogs foods are! I'm the 5:06 poster and I feed my dogs California Natural. They used to be on Purina but once I found out how BAD it is I switched them and they have never looked better or been healthier.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 8:37 PM

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OP here, see my roommate already says she gives him a bath weekly. If I try, it will have to be a time when she's not home or I will get caught. Also, dogs hate baths so I don't know if he would even trust me to do it. I'm at work so I'm not sure what kind of food it is, I'll ook when I get home. Not sure if the whole dog smells, thanks though, I'm going to pay more attention and report back tonight.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 9:20 AM

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would she actually be offended if she "caught" you bathing her dog? couldn't you explain that you felt it was time he got another bath and decided to give it to him instead of bugging her? that may improve your relationship with her and the dog. in my experience dogs do not hate baths. it depends on the dog, i guess, and their experience with water.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 9:34 AM

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Every single one of our dogs loved baths. They got to play in the water and have your undivided attention! I hear there are dogs out there that don't, but I haven't met one personally, so take heart this dog might actually surprise you. Your attitude is important - if you are happy and excited about bath time, the dog will often get happy and excited in response to you.

Good luck, but having owned several dogs I would bet that bathing won't help much or for long and that there are some nutrition or health issues gong on. Healthy dogs don't stink. OTOH it doesn't hurt to find out.

Thursday, September 14, 2006, 1:02 PM

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