Argument over smelly dog

Stretch1432 · 25-06-2023 8:06pm #1

My partner and I have been living together for 5 years now we have a 2 year old and a new baby on the way . When we started living together she had a big dog before she met me . At first i didnt mind it but as time went on it started to bug me because of the smell of the house inside and the dog hairs everywhere. He is a large rottweiler and he sheds hair everywhere i find big clumps of hair on the floor. He also rubs himself against the wall and stains it. I wouldnt say im a clean freak but to me its just unhygenic and having our children growing up around this is a problem for me. Iv asked her before to put the dog outside in a kennel but i only managed to get him barrred from upstairs. He sleeps downstairs in his bed . When i come home from work i am met with a dog odour as soon as i walk in the door. It annoys me straight away. She gives him bones and after a day or two they smell really bad. I recently had a friend stay over and Iwas saying it to him about and he agreed with and said the smell was upstairs aswell and he was only saying it me as a friend. My family have also said it to me about the smell and that its not very good for a new baby. My partner thinks the sofa smells only because we have a fabric sofa and says when we get a new half leather sofa it wont be as bad . I dont know what to do. How can i convince my partner how bad and unhealthy it is ?

Galwayguy35 · 25-06-2023 8:15pm

The dog was there before you.

suvigirl · 25-06-2023 8:19pm

Maybe you should do more cleaning OP?

I had a dog for 13 years that lived in the house and it never smelled, and believe me my family would have told me if it did.

If the hairs annoy you, run the vacuum around everyday and make sure the dog is clean. It's not difficult.

wotzgoingon · 25-06-2023 8:33pm

As was said with dogs you have to clean up more often and open windows throughout the day to let the house breath. We have always had house dogs and there is no smell.

dashoonage · 25-06-2023 8:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764503#Comment_120764503

This . Enjoy your kennel.

Stretch1432 · 25-06-2023 9:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764503#Comment_120764503

Kids are involved now and its a health issue as the dog stinks and its a health issue.

suvigirl · 25-06-2023 9:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764830#Comment_120764830

Maybe you should wash the dog so?

Anyway, I reckon you will find once your kids start socialising with other kids they will pick up lots more bugs then in their own home!

dashoonage · 25-06-2023 9:25pm

Do you wash the kids?

Galwayguy35 · 25-06-2023 9:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764830#Comment_120764830

You want to dump the dog outside in a kennel, tell you what you sleep outside in one next winter for a night and see what it feels like.

Animals feel the cold same as we do.

Health issue my eye.

tk123 · 25-06-2023 9:37pm

It’s well known and well proven that kids who grow up with dogs are less likely to develop allergies, asthma and have better immune systems so there isn’t really a health issue here - sounds more like a grooming issue.

Are you cleaning the filter on the vacuum often as this could be the cause of the smell? A smelly/stale filter will stink the house out every time you use it.. I use a few drops of zoflora on the filters in our vacuum to keep fresh between swapping them out. A handled / robo vac will help with fur lying around too.

Buddy Bubs · 25-06-2023 9:39pm

It's not a health issue unless there is a person someway allergic to dogs, I'd see that as an overdramatic way of going on.

There shouldn't be much of a smell if you wash the dog. I've 2 labs and no real smell in the house but we do hoover very regularly.

I can't see you winning this one with your partner.

dashoonage · 25-06-2023 9:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764910#Comment_120764910

i have a robo vac i got handy in a black friday sale which follows my duskie round the house 🤣 during shedding times i feel sorry for robo vac.

tk123 · 25-06-2023 9:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764922#Comment_120764922

Bailey doesn’t even move for ours 🤣🤣 I just let it run until the little bin is overflowing with fur and then it goes home exhausted after it’s days work lol.

anndub · 25-06-2023 9:56pm

You've obviously never been in the pet forum before OP. It's the last place you should ask this question!

There's lots of evidence suggesting exposure to pets is very beneficial to childrens immune systems. You probably need to look at general cleaning if your house stinks

unkel · 25-06-2023 10:08pm

Wash the dog regularly with appropriate dog shampoo if he doesn't swim (in the sea). If the smell is really bad, I'd recommend a shampoo called "Fox poo" or something like that, not kidding!

Hoover the house every day with an appropriate hoover - Miele has one especially for cats and dogs, it's the best in the business (not cheap). Problem solved. Also make sure the dog is up to date with wormer & flea treatment & vaccinations and let him be examined by a vet regularly.

Your other half is obviously quite reasonable that she agreed to barring the dog from going upstairs. A good compromise

And as others said, kids growing up in a house with a dog are not at risk of health issues, rather the opposite. I would normally be concerned in having a large powerful dog in a house with (very) young children, but from my own experience with Rottweilers, I feel they undeservedly have a reputation of being dangerous. I find them very kind, gentle and obedient.

beachhead · 25-06-2023 10:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058302354/argument-over-smelly-dog

Some vry good suggestions posted.

The dog was there before you.

Air the house.wash the vacuum filter and clean out the vac bin daily,if a bag change it.You can buy pellets to put inside the vacuum to keep the smell down.Comb the dog's coat.shampoo the dog(with dog shampoo) but don't overdue- once a week is tops.A smelly dog is not a health hazard.Your kid(s) are going to be exposed to a lot more than a smelly house or dog.As for the bones get rid of them after a day or two.Fresh bones? Get cured dog bones

25-06-2023 11:02pm

It's very cruel to suggest banning a dog that is used to being in the house and a part of the family, to living outside in a kennel. It doesn't sound like a young dog either, if your partner had him before you even met. A dog age 7 is considered a senior.

The dog wouldn't understand why it is being banished. It will most likely become upset, frustrated, and start whining and barking the place down.

Your problem is easily solved by opening a window, vaccuming often, a bit of febreeze on the sofa, and washing the dog - and the dog's bedding - often. Basically just putting in a bit of effort.

Bathing a dog is not hard, there are even places you can take them - e.g.

https://dbbarksandbubbles.com/

If not, out the back garden with a low power hose. (Whatever you do, NEVER use a power washer on a dog).

argentum · 26-06-2023 12:25pm

Id be worried about having a dog that size with kids first and foremost

That would be more of a reason to move the dog on by hopefully rehoming

26-06-2023 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120767232#Comment_120767232

A dog is for life.

Not just until you have kids.

unkel · 26-06-2023 12:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120767232#Comment_120767232

You obviously never had a dog. They are part of the family, you don't "rehome" them.

argentum · 26-06-2023 1:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120767380#Comment_120767380

I have 2 rescue dogs ....I know what its like as my last two died 2 years ago after a wonderful few years living in our home.

In my opinion yes they should try to rehome the dog.....its a dog not a child or a baby ....if they're incapable of keeping a dog and house clean then they're not capable of looking after the dog....can they then be sure the dog won't attack the child or baby

tk123 · 26-06-2023 2:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120767702#Comment_120767702

If the girl is pregnant and looking after a 2 year old IMO her hands are full - so the OP could clean up if it’s not to his standard or maybe get a cleaner to help out? Using the kids to justify getting rid of the dog or banishing it out into the garden is a crappy thing to do. Many of us have grown up with large breed dogs and not been eaten or died of consumption due to lack of cleanliness in the house.

MacDanger · 26-06-2023 2:36pm

Wrong forum to be asking this question tbh OP 😂

The smell isn't a health risk so I'd say drop that angle. Despite what loads of dog owners will tell you though, dogs do smell - they smell like dogs obviously, it's perfectly natural for them to smell that way although I certainly wouldn't have them in my house.

The time for negotiating this with your wide was years ago so I'd say you're stuck with it. When the dog dies is probably your best bet to ensure that the replacement is an outdoor dog

wildwillow · 26-06-2023 3:32pm

Though I couldn’t live with an indoor dog I feel you are stuck with it. Not fair to banish it outdoors now. You need to get a cleaning routine which involves daily hoovering and washing floors. And I mean you, not your partner even if they are her dogs.

I would never let any dog alone with a child though.

Also feeding them bones should be an outdoor activity. Rotting bones are not a pleasant thought and should not be in any house. Get the dog groomed regularly too and the hairs may be less of an issue.

So I think you both need to make some compromises.

YellowLead · 26-06-2023 3:44pm

It doesn’t seem fair to move the dog out now. As others have said it sounds like the house (and possibly dog) need to be cleaned more. Dogs don’t really stink unless they are wet. Are they butcher bones she is giving them in the house? I agree that is a bit gross, if they are hanging around for days it’s would be the same as leaving any other non dog related meat/carcass bits out around the house.

Personally I wouldn’t have a large indoor dog with two small children - but if you feel that way it’s sort of a bit late now.

Hellrazer · 26-06-2023 4:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764830#Comment_120764830

No its not a health issue. Ive 3 Golden retrievers that sleep in the house, sometimes even in our bed.

None of my kids growing ever had asthma , allergies etc. Yet their friends whos parents are clean freaks are never out of the GP with asthma and other allergies. Something to be said for having them accustomed to dog hair etc from a young age.

Just get into a habit of vacuuming everyday and use that Zooflora stuff to keep the smells to a minimum.I even add it to the hoover bag and it works wonders.

Terrier2023 · 26-06-2023 5:09pm

Send the dog to the groomer for a wash & blow out more often, this blows off the loose hairs also have the teeth checked for plaque for his breath. he was her pet before you, so, you lose i am afraid. Best to work together to improve the living arrangements to include the dog.

Also wash his bedding every week or fortnight of you dont it will smell. I mind dogs and i live in a small place it doesnt smell at all as they are all well cared for dogs. So i say put more effort into making the dogs smell nice & buy some Max Benjamin candles they are great as are the ~petodour candles found in good vets clinics or online. Dont fight over the dog he is her companion and women love their dogs, my man was narking about my whippets on the couch hes gone and i got another whippet much happier house !

So all in all make some effort the dog wont live forever but be kind until then or you lose your bird & your kids !