Can dogs smell themselves?

[bajadan2000]

I have a wonderful companion and protector that is a village dog. Not sure of all the breeds in her, however she must be half nose. She wants to smell everything and everyone. She is happy spending all her time going around and smelling things.

It has me wondering if she can smell herself.

She will roll around in the nastiest stuff she can find and loves it. She smells so bad I will not let her into the house. The neighbors complained that the dog house on the porch smelled so bad they quit coming over. So I cleaned the dog house up. This made my dog upset and she moved out. She now lives under the RV. Has not been back in the dog house since I cleaned it. If I give her a bath, the first thing she will do is role around in something to get the stink back. The back of my pick up, were she rides, smells so bad it has made people almost faint, and I clean the truck once a week.

What can I do to break my best friend from this bad habit.

[duckboy]

Not sure how to break them of it, But I know why they do it.

It is a behaviour that Canids use to cover their scent in order to helpo them hunt better.

If they smell like rotting fish, then they do not frighten away the animals they hunt, (like they would if they smelled like a dog).

Sometimes I use a waterless spray on wash. It is quick and it works at neutralizing the smell..... I think it is called Vitasheen. It is a green liquid... works pretty well.

[Chromaflage]

Hmmmm....I wonder if they make Febreeze for dogs.

[TroutGirl]

Super nasty stinky dogs sometimes have allergies that make them that way. So in addition to the usual roll in stink, they have their own profound stink. Get ready, I'm about to tell you something disgusting..... some dogs have trouble with clogged anal glands. This gives them a profound fishy stink. The vet can give those things a squeeze and help the smell alot. You can also try an elimination diet to see what might be making them stink. Feed them pumpkin and fish for a couple of weeks (or duck and potato) and then one by one add things like rice, chicken, lamb, beef, wheat, corn, back to the diet. One a week. If you notice a big change in stink or behaviour, you've hit on the problem. My dog is allergic to corn and wheat. Still has some stink from the occasional stolen treats or cat food, but much better than before.

Sorry that was long and gross, but I love my dog and thought I would have to get rid of her if I couldn't control the stink. You could smell her coming at 40 feet. Wheweee.

[hawgcatcher]

They do love the odd smells. Our two mini pins seem to find things in the back yard. What is interesting is when one gets gas (yes even dogs do) and all of a sudden they turn and check to see what made that odor. (But it is bad when they do it at night while they are sleeping on the bed).

The wife said that she loves the smell of a puppy. They seem to have a special odor that the mother can recognise.

But keep the skunk smell away.

[FastActionRodTip]

I had a bull terrier that would home in on fresh cow patties, loved to roll around in them...disgusting creatures...my Boxer is pretty wierd too, but I don't give him the chance to snort around in that stuff

[RODACTION]

Your dog can smell its self.....the reason it rolls around in nasty stuff is because it does not like the way it self smells. It may try to mask its sent for a few reasons, but the most likley reason is because of its natural sense to cover its own sent to hunt. You can try changing its diet....but I think I would take the the dog to the vet for a check up and ask the vet for advice on how to get it clean its self up. For the most part dogs like cleaner living so I think the vet maybe a goog idea....the dog could have a medical problem. Good luck !!!

[STGRule]

but the most likley reason is because of its natural sense to cover its own sent to hunt.

That would explain why my beagle rolls on earthworms. What rabbit would be afraid of little worm?

[Thumper]

I am soooooooo pleased that I opened this thread.

After seeing where dogs lick I doubt they can smell themselves.

[HntnFsh]

Best laugh of the day! Thanks,I needed that!

[Silver Hilton]

Can they smell themselves? Of course they can. They can lick themselves too, and seem to enjoy spending a great deal of time doing so.

[BuKuBass]

It always amazes me that people let their dog lick people. After all the critter uses it's tongue as toilet paper.