How to Wash Odor Out of a Dog

Even if you have your dog professionally groomed on a regular basis, chances are high that at some point in time it will roll in something foul-smelling and you will need to give it a bath, according to Kathy Salzberg, Nationally Certified Master Groomer and contributor to dogchannel.com. However, washing your dog entails more than simply putting it in the bathtub with some soapy water. It is important to use the right kind of products and utilize proper techniques to ensure that the bathing goes smoothly, and that you remove as much odor as possible from your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Sink or bathtub
  • Non-slip rubber mat
  • Dog brush
  • 2-3 cotton balls
  • Ear cleaner for dogs
  • Tearless, hypoallergenic dog shampoo
  • Sponge
  • 2-4 towels
  • Hair dryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the dog brush, ear cleaner, cotton balls, sponge, dog shampoo, towels, and hairdryer near the sink or bathing tub.

    • 2

      Brush your dog's coat to remove any tangles. Start with the head and ears, working down to the chest and front legs, the back, sides, stomach, and hindquarters, followed by the tail.

    • 3

      Swab your dog's ear canals using cotton balls and ear cleaner. Massage the ear cleaner very gently to really remove any odor from the ears, recommends dogchannel.com.

    • 4

      Place the non-slip mat on the bottom of the sink or tub, and put your dog on top of the mat. Wet your dog's head with warm water from a spray attachment or bucket. Saturate its back, tail, neck, chest, stomach, legs, and finish by gently squeezing a warm, wet sponge over your dog's head to wet its face.

    • 5

      Apply dog shampoo to your dog's coat using your hands or the sponge. Lather the shampoo by scrubbing the coat thoroughly in a circular motion. Massage the skin with your fingertips. Pay special attention to your dog's paws and hindquarters, as these areas may be stinky. Add more shampoo if necessary.

    • 6

      Rinse your dog with warm water, beginning with its head and working to the back of its body.

    • 7

      Re-apply the dog shampoo and repeat the lathering process to remove as much odor as possible.

    • 8

      Rinse well with warm water until you hear your dog's coat squeak. This will ensure a thorough rinsing and prevent soap residue from lingering.

    • 9

      Squeeze as much water as you can out of your dog's coat, using your hands. Rub the coat well with a towel or towels.

    • 10

      Dry your dog's hair with a blow-dryer on the lowest setting while brushing its coat.