How to Keep Your Apartment From Smelling Like Dog

Keeping a dog in an apartment presents a number of challenges single family home pet owners don̵7;t typically face. You may be limited in your potty training options, as well as have smaller, more confined spaces that can hold in lingering odors. A few regular cleaning habits and some creative odor masking techniques can help keep pet smells to a minimum.

  1. Walk Your Dog

    • Many apartment dwellers use indoor dog bathrooms or pee pads rather than train their pup outside, primarily because of convenience. If you have relatively easy access to an appropriate outside area, housebreak your dog to eliminate smells. If you rely on indoor facilities, clean up after your pup every time he goes to keep odors at bay.

    Groom Your Pup

    • Brush your dog everyday -- preferably outside -- to keep his coat tangle-free and reduce dander. Take him to the groomer for regular baths, or do it yourself at home. Clean his ears and brush his teeth with a canine toothpaste, and make sure his anal glands are regularly expressed. These doggy hygiene issues can go a long way in keeping an apartment smelling nice.

    Clean Up Accidents

    • Clean up every accident with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate odors and discourage your dog from remarking the same territory. Even though apartments are typically cleaned and disinfected between tenants, if a previous pet lived in the space, chances are your dog is smelling it and may try to make the territory ̶0;his.̶1; In addition to cleaning accidents, sprinkle baking soda or a fragranced baking soda-based product on your carpet before vacuuming to help neutralize dog odors.

    Clean Furniture

    • If you have upholstered furniture, use a lint roller to pick up stray dog hair and dander each time you clean. Use a fabric freshening spritz on your furniture each week, or wipe down furniture with a dryer sheet to give it a fresh smell. Do a deep upholstery cleaning once or twice a year to get rid of deep down odors, and regularly wash your dog's bedding. Use a cleaning product that is pet-safe and eliminates or neutralizes odors.

    Use an Air Purifier

    • Invest in an air purifier that helps eliminate odors that can build up in small spaces. Position the purifier in a central location, or wherever your dog spends the majority of his time. If you perform your own routine maintenance on your apartment, regularly change your air filters as well, or ask your maintenance manager to do it for you.