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  1. #11
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Oh yeah, good idea on the collar. I used to have to soak Jet's nylon collar in a jar of Pine Sol for a couple of hours. Then I would put it in a work sock, into the washer and then into the dryer. And that was more of a sweaty smell. Jet wore her collar all the time. I no longer leave the collar on all the time and I now have a waterproof one, but left on all the time I think it might still get stinky.

  2. #12
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    This is fantastic, you all have given me great feedback and many things to check into. I don't believe it is the collar, he wears the Ruffwear Waterproof/Stinkproof brand. And Vet has confirmed he doesn't have any bumps or dry skin so I don't think it is cysts. I'm getting a feeling that it is the yeast issue from the wetness after swimming so often. The only part that confuses me is why it is just now happening since he has be swimming the same amount this year as he did last year.

  3. #13
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    There may be inflow of stuff into the water that there wasn't before, different pollens. Or they can just start having things happen same as we can, mysteries we never solve. My boy has allergies so I am careful to rinse pond water off but I also often use a rinse of 50/50 vinegar/water. It helps the smell, temporarily. In a pinch I use a Listerine wipe down. Cut with water about 50/50 too. I read you should only use the original Listerine but I find the microbial one works just fine and since I know there are allergies I think it helps with bacteria on the skin.

  4. #14
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    It sounds like you might be bathing him too much. I would nix the soap bathes for a bit, opting for hose-downs when necessary, instead. Definitely take the collar off once you get him in the house as the skin/hair under the collar will not dry off if you leave it on. I would brush him with a good brush everyday to get the oils moving and release the dead hair, which will help a lot. Yellows seem to shed constantly. You could look for a holistic yeast/bacteria remedy online that has neem oil perhaps, tea tree oil, etc. for the ears and also for the body, which may help with any yeast from the wetness. Or maybe your vet has something. I would also be sure that once he's in the house for the evening, he is dry. Towel dry and then, if you can, use a hair dryer, at least on any folds or wet areas like his arm-pits. Just be careful not to burn him or make it uncomfortable. If it is bacteria or yeast, it's important that the dog is actually dry for some of the time. Dark, moist areas are a breeding ground for these things.

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  6. #15
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    It sounds like you might be bathing him too much.
    It doesn't have to do with bathing. It has to do with getting wet and not drying off completely.

    In winter when we don't go swimming on a daily basis and when shedding season is over, the smell goes away.

    Oh, I brush him every day. I don't use a hair drier because he absolutely hates it.
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  7. #16
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    I'm going to mention the bathing also. Eons ago, when I got my first black gal, the breeder said not to bath them, unless they rolled in something nasty or you were going to an event. With the correct food, they need to build up the oil in their coat. It should not be soft and fluffy, it should be more stiff and oily. No, not crusty/nasty. But the hair should be shiny and slick. This way it repels water rather than becoming soggy. The shampoo washes away this protective layer and it takes time to build it back up.

    My little gal swims daily at a local reservoir. This includes the obligatory trips into scummy, nasty stagnant puddles and rolling in some nasty mud. Before we go I toss a stick a few times in the cleaner water, she gets rinsed off and has never had a horrible odor. In the 5 minute walk back to the car, her hair has dried off. Within an hour, at most, she is dry down to her skin. Even the back leg 'feathers' are dry.

    As a disclaimer! I have only had American, field stock labs. There is not really any 'fur' under the hair. I have seen lots of English labs that have a much 'furrier' coat and were very soft. If you put them side by side you can tell there is a huge difference.

  8. #17
    Senior Dog MikeLynn's Avatar
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    Lynn was on the furry side with pretty heavy undercoat. When she was about seven, she was already a distinguished lady without the need of rolling in... you name it and believe me none of it smelled nice, she basically had her last bath; so she went without bathing for more than seven years. The only time she would get wet was when she went for a swim or when it rained. Brushed her coat pretty often though. She wasn't "aromatic" at all and when people asked me how often I bathed her because my place didn't smell and I said never, they thought I was kidding.
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  10. #18
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    LOL, on the other hand I know of a couple of dog owners who bragged about never or seldom bathing their dog and their dog didn't have any odour. But it did. I sure noticed an odour. I hate it when I pet my friend's dog then feel I must not touch my steering wheel in my car, heaven forbid my face or wipe a bug or stick out of my hair. I'm going to need to launder dog walking clothes anyway so I usually surreptitiously wipe my hands on my pants.

  11. #19
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    That sounds like the OTHER extreme! :-})

    I believe, any dog needs if not a regular bath at least regular cleansings, to be socially acceptable. If they get no exposure to rain, swimming or the hose game, they are going to need an official bath. Sunshine sometimes goes two days with out swimming, but that would be an extreme case. She is not oily or nasty to pet, she just feels and smells clean. I believe that swimming a few hours does enough to keep the stink off, as well as keep her happy and healthy.

  12. #20
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    Thanks to everyone for all the great feedback. I do believe I am probably bathing him a bit too often and will cut back a little but don't think I can go for more than 1 month at a time. I do use oatmeal shampoo with a little olive oil added in. He eats Nutro dog food. Vet says his coat and skin look good. I have ordered the doggie shammy for better drying after swimming, and also a supplement to add to his dog food and/or water. It states it is good for neutralizing odor as well as preventing the brown spots in yard from urine. Will keep you all posted.

 



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