When it comes to freshly-skunked dogs, there are no heroes. Your dog may have pulled your first-born son from a burning building. He may have cured cancer and ended war with his charms. But no matter what noble deeds he's done, you will exile him on that inevitable day he comes running home wrapped in a fragrance that's normally exclusive to Pepe Le Pu.
Your dog is most likely to be skunked in the late winter and early spring, when skunks are searching for mates and the rejection puts them in a bad mood. However, any season is fair game. A skunk's smelly enzymes, which are sprayed from its anal glands (not the tail itself, as Disney might have us believe) are its first defense - and usually all they need to warn your dog that they don't want to play.
So the worst has happened. What can you do?
Act Fast! -- If the spray happens after business hours, or you just can't make it to the Care's Clippers right away, get a clothespin and take action. The longer you let the smell sit on your dog, the further the enzymes will seep into his pores, making removal much more difficult.
No Tomato Juice! -- It's an old wives tale. Tomato juice does nothing to get rid of the skunk smell, and in the end your dog will smell like a plate of rancid spaghetti.
No Shampoo! Not Yet. -- Don't think water and doggie shampoo are going to do the trick. The enzymes are not water-soluble. The smell will be as strong as ever, and might even spread instead of fade.
Of course, there are dozens of de-skunking shampoos available. Some owners swear by them, though others note they tend to do nothing. Either way, the trick is to neutralize the skunk smell, not necessarily wash it away. Don't bother with the shampoos that boast a flowery scent; you're not looking for an odor mask.
Store-bought shampoos can also contain harsh chemicals and are almost always unsafe to use around your dog's face ... which, more often than not, is where they're sprayed. Home remedies are the trick here, so keep them on hand in case of emergency.
The Secret Formula -- Mix One quart of hydrogen peroxide, half a cup of baking soda and two tablespoons of liquid dish washing detergent (plain old Dawn works best, but any will do). Smell your dog, and try to wash only the area that was skunked. Skunk spray is oily and washing your whole dog may just spread the oil and therefore the sent.Rub the paste into the skunked areas of the dog's coat, but take extra care around the eyes! Let the mixture sit for seven to ten minutes, then rinse. Take a few extra minutes to rinse, since dish washing detergent is thick and can be difficult to get rid of. If you still feel unclean from the whole experience, feel free at this point to wash your dog with dog shampoo. A conditioner is a good idea too, since the peroxide paste is very drying.
Don't Expect Any Miracles -- There is an excellent chance your dog will retain the mark of battle and smell slightly skunky for months to come. It will be particularly noticeable after he gets wet in a rainstorm or lake. Thankfully, the smell should be faint and will fade over time. Re-application of the peroxide, or a trip to Care's Clippers might help a little, too.
