So you are cuddled up to your beloved pet, and you smell something a little funky. You look around, wondering where in the world that smell is coming from. After a few minutes, you realize it’s your Goldendoodle that stinks. But how can that be? It seems like no matter how much you bathe him; he smells within a week. Is this a Goldendoodle thing that no one has warned you of?
If this story sounds familiar, you are not alone-Goldendoodle owners all over experience this exact scenario. So why do Goldendoodles smell unpleasant? Let’s settle all of your worries and come up with a few solutions.
Why Do Goldendoodles Smell Unpleasant?
Why does my Goldendoodle stink? You aren’t imagining it. Goldendoodles can sometimes smell worse than other dogs because of their coat type. If your Goldendoodle has a wavy to curly coat, they typically have inherited their coat genetics from the Poodle side. And while we covet this coat for its low shedding, it has a downside.
This same hypoallergenic coat that everyone loves also holds dirt, oils, and smells. The reason for this is that Poodles produce oil that makes their coats waterproof. If these oils stay on the skin for too long, it can make your Goldendoodle smell. So what can we do about this?
Proper Hygiene
The first most obvious way to combat a Goldendoodles stink is to groom your dog. Goldendoodles have a high maintenance coat, and each part of their hygiene is important at keeping the stench away. That means brushing and bathing.
Brushing Your Goldendoodle
We know what you’re thinking. How will brushing help my Goldendoodle smell better? Well, if you brush daily using the right tools and technique, you are distributing the oils. These oils will spread throughout the hair and keep it from sticking on the skin where it smells the worst. It also helps detangle your Goldendoodle so that dirt doesn’t get trapped in knots, causing more stench.
For this job, you will need a slicker brush. We love the Wahl Premium Patented Dual Level Sensitive Skin Pet Slicker because it is gentle and gets all the way down to the skin. Next, you will need to start from the head and work your way down, brushing in quick short movements. And don’t forget to brush behind the ears, armpits, and stomach. These areas hold odor-causing dirt and grime.
Bathing
How often should Goldendoodles be bathed? Your Goldendoodle will need a bath every 3-4 weeks, and sometimes more if they are very active. But you can’t simply throw your Goldendoodle in the tub and quickly wash them. There is a little more to it than that.
Because of the Goldendoodle’s coat, you will need a few tools to get started. We recommend:
- Shower spray attachment to rinse your Doodle easier
- A conditioning shampoo like PET CARE Sciences Dog Shampoo.
- For long-haired Goldendoodles, you will also need a scrubber like the ZOOPOLR Pet Silicone Shampoo Brush.
- And a high-velocity blow dryer.
Shampooing your Goldendoodle isn’t very hard. But your procedure is everything to get rid of build-up and oils. Wet your dog thoroughly and massage shampoo into the skin going from the top down. If you have a longer-haired dog, you might want to use a scrubber to get the shampoo deep in there.
This step is where a lot of people go wrong. If the shampoo isn’t getting on the skin, the oils and dirt will sit there and give your dog that “wet dog” smell when finished. After a few minutes of gentle massaging, rinse your Goldendoodle until the water runs clear.
Next, it’s time to dry your Goldendoodle, which is another step where you might be doing it wrong. Goldendoodles have thick coats that make drying hard. And when your Doodles don’t get dried all the way, they tend to stink more. The best way to combat this is to use a high-velocity dryer. These dryers get to the root of the hair to dry it thoroughly.
Do Goldendoodles smell bad if you keep up with proper bathing? Most of your Goldendoodles stink will go away with adequate bathing. Even if you don’t keep up with brushing as much as you should, bathing will make a world of difference.
Hair Cuts
And finally, Goldendoodles smell terrible if they don’t get regular haircuts. Long hair has more surface area to hold oils and dirt. So we recommend your Goldendoodles get a cut every 6-8 weeks. But if you have an active lifestyle, you might want to opt for a shorter hairstyle. Shorter hair is easier to manage, clean, and brush which can cut down on Goldendoodles stink.
My Goldendoodles Smell Terrible!
Are you already doing all of these things and still experience smelly dogs? The answer might not be about basic hygiene. So then why do Goldendoodles smell unpleasant? You might have an undiagnosed medical condition on your hands. Below we will talk about some of the most common medical reasons your dog might stink. If you suspect any of these reasons, you should make an appointment with your vet immediately.
Sebaceous Adenitis
Goldendoodles are prone to getting a skin disease called sebaceous adenitis. This disease prevents your dog from producing the oils that coat the skin and hair for conditioning and protection. And the result is hair loss, dry, flaky skin, and in some cases, smell.
Luckily, this type of Goldendoodles stink has easy treatment. Most dogs do well with changing to shampoo with salicylic acid for mild exfoliation of dry skin. Adding oral supplements like fish oil is also great for protecting the skin and hair. But in more extreme cases, you might want to consult your vet about oral retinoids to resolve the issues.
Yeast Infections
Why does my dog have a nasty smell? Have you ever considered yeast infections? Yeast can grow anywhere on the body, including the ears and skin. And these infections can happen in both males and females. If your dog spends a lot of time in the water, they are prone to yeast infections. This is especially true if you can’t get your Goldendoodles dry entirely. Some signs of yeast infections are itching and a strong yeast smell, which is a topical fungal infection.
Washing your dog in a shampoo like PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Shampoo is a terrific way of preventing yeast before it gets out of hand. If you notice the ears especially have a yeasty smell, you should use Smiling Paws Pets Medicated Ear Cleaner. This cleanser is gentle and will rid your house of Goldendoodles stink.
If your Goldendoodles smell terrible, but they don’t spend a lot of time in the water, you should talk to a vet. Chronic yeast infections could also be a sign of food allergies. With an allergy test, your vet can rule out any triggers, and you won’t have to deal with a stinky dog again.
Anal Glands
Why does my Goldendoodle smell like fish? All dogs have scent glands that sit right at the anus. These glands are what produce messages and mark territories as your dog goes to the bathroom. Occasionally though, these glands can get infected if your dog isn’t able to express them. You will know that your dog’s anal glands bother them if you smell a pungent fish smell. Your Goldendoodle might also start to scoot across the carpet to relieve the pain.
To relieve your dog, you will need a strong stomach, some gloves, and a bathtub. While lifting the tail’s base, you will want to apply pressure to either side of the anus gently. A foul-smelling liquid will come out, and your Goldendoodle might need a bath afterward. But they will feel so much better after.
If this doesn’t seem like your cup of tea, don’t worry. A lot of people can’t stomach this job. Fortunately for you, there are a few options. In cases where the irritation can’t wait, you could take your Goldendoodle to the vet for a quick expression. Otherwise, you could mention to your groomer that you have concerns over anal glands. They can express the glands along with routine grooming.
Do Goldendoodles need their glands expressed? Anal glands are one of those topics where it depends on who you ask and the dog. Some experts say that anal glands should only be expressed if absolutely necessary. And if you express them too often, you could cause more infections. But it is common practice in most grooming salons to include anal glands in grooming packages. If you have concerns about chronic blockages, talk to your vet about the best route.
Ear Infections
Why do Goldendoodles smell unpleasant? Our final reason why your Doodle might stink is that they might have an ear infection. Dogs with floppy ears hold water and bacteria more than other dogs. So it only makes sense that your Goldendoodle tends to get ear infections a lot.
Signs of an ear infection are head shaking, swelling, redness, and itchy ears. If you notice that your dog gets ear infections after swimming, try using ear drops like Vet’s Best Dry Ear Relief. These drops will help the ear canals dry faster. But if the problem persists, there might be another underlying issue. Consult your vet if your dog has ear infections often.
So, Why Do Goldendoodles Smell Unpleasant?
As you can see, there are lots of reasons. Everything from basic hygiene to medical conditions can make your Doodle stink. But ruling them all out one at a time, you can find the source. In general, your Goldendoodle won’t smell afterward. And if they are just dirty, stinky dogs, there is always doggie cologne to make them smell like flowers.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
