How to Control Dog Odors

Dogs are pretty darn dirty when you get right down too it. Ever pet your dog and recoil at the smell of your hand afterward? We'll it used to happen to me all the time, but now I have my own strategies for dealing with all the odors and unknown stinky scents that the dogs love to roll in.

Part of the dog's natural odor comes from scent glands that release a unique and pungent odor that many mammals use for identification. Scent glads are located near the mouth, on the paws, near the anus and in many areas throughout the body. Short haired breeds, such as much adorably and stinky dachshunds, tend to to release more oil in proportion to the amount of hair, which consequently makes them smellier. The dogs natural scent levels also fluctuate with their hormones, which makes female dogs release an unusual musky odor when they are in heat, and as many pet owners now, dogs can smell this "fragrant" odor from miles away.

To keep your dog smell fresh, it's a good idea to adopt a regular grooming regime that includes a bath, scented wipes or a dry shampoo and other odor control methods. If you're dog's as dirty as mine, you might have to bathe them more frequently than the 1 to 2 weeks recommended. Washing too frequently or using harsh shampoos can be counter-affective and stimulate the production of excess oil, which is exactly what you don't want. Read on to discover effective odor reduction strategies.