I need some product advice.

[behinderhereyes]

Alright so heres the scoop, ever since I got sophie my room smells urine. I have tried everything to get out the smell. I was wondering if there was any advice on something to get the smell out. Also I found out that I was allergic to Sophie. When I first found out I told the doctor I'm not getting ride of Sophie, so your gonna need to give me something. I think it is the dog hair, what kind of brush can I use to minimize shedding dog hair?

[Cheetah]

Most people who are allergic to pets are not allergic to the hair, but to the dander and saliva. I've also noticed that diet can play a role in the amount of dander/allergens produced by the dog. My ex was allergic to most dogs, because most dogs are fed cheap, crappy kibble. I always asked what they were fed, and it was stuff like Beneful, Pedigree, IAMS, etc. Corn-based kibbles. Strange. But as severly allergic to most dogs as he was, he was able to be around dogs (mine and others) who were fed higher quality foods. I found this to be interesting, but it does make sense.

I'm sure grooming would also be an issue. Try to find an allergen reducing shampoo. Also, for Shippo, I use an undercoat rake, a Kong Zoom Groom, and a curved slicker brush during daily brushings (fluffies require frequent brushings like this, but if you brush yours daily, it will help to reduce allergens). Try to brush outside, so any dander that is released into the air is only released outside.

Vacuuming more often (nice vacuum with HEPA filter) will suck up hair and dander.

There is also the option of allergy meds (pills or shots).

[Michael Romanos]

What a terrible pity. Quite a few people are allergic to long haired dogs and cats, Many simply put up with it. One of the symptoms is that it is very much like suffering with hayfever. So a doctor could treat you with drugs that allay a lot of the hayfever affects.
Where I live (the Hutt Valley) there us a predominance of ashma-like or cough-like problems due to the dampness of the area which lies berween two sets of mountainous hills and is dominated by a river ( the Hutt River) capped by large areas of forests and bush. Very healthy climate usually but some people can't 'take' it. But people PUT up with it with the help if drugs or without any drugs.

Daily grooming of three-four minutes - which I give Taylor - helps minimise loose hair through the day. It seems a Furminator is an excellent combing tool for long haired dogs in particular. Three-four weekly baths also helps an awful lot.

[Jane Austen]

Three-four weekly baths also help an awful lot.

That sounds too much like three or four baths a week and I don't think you meant that Michael, did you?

[Chip's Mom]

Is Sophie confined to your room most of the time? Try urineout spray if she has had accidents that usually takes care of the problem unless she is still having accidents there. Also, raise your window a little to air out the room good and do a good shampoo on your carpet and vacuum your carpet everyday. Another suggestion is to purchase a good air purifier for your room. That will capture stray dog hair and allergens in your room. Did you ever have this problem around Lucy?

[MyPemCharlie]

Do you have carpet, or hard flooring? I finally got rid of all my carpet and have ceramic tile everywhere but the bedrooms, where I installed laminate "wood" flooring. That helped a lot with allergies because the culprits don't get caught in the carpet and the floors are easier to clean and disinfect. Hard floors also make it easier to clean up any pet messes.

Assuming you have carpet, you can try cleaning the urine with 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water. I also add a splash of mint Listerine mouthwash (on my hard floors for cat urine..they sometimes miss the box...yech). Vinegar breaks down urine proteins but does not kill all the bacteria. The alcohol in the Listerine is supposed to break down urine proteins and kill bacteria that cause odors. Listerine also makes the spray smell less vinegary -- minty fresh! However, Listerine may stain your carpet, so you might just add a tiny bit of regular alcohol.

First blot up any urine, then soak the carpet with the solution above. Let it set about 10 minutes then blot dry as much as you can. Sprinkle with baking soda and vaccuum in 8-10 hours or when dry.

I spent a fortune on branded "odor removers", but the above home recipe works as well or better for me. Since it takes out cat odors, I'm sure it will work on dog urine.

Everyone has their own favorite brush. I use a dog slicker and fine-toothed comb on Charlie and the cats. I'm not sure the tool matters as much as the frequency of grooming. If you have a non-allergic family member, maybe they can help by taking Sophie outside regularly and brush her for you.

Sorry to hear about the allergies! I have some allergy problems too. When they get bad, I find the generic brand of Claritin helps block the histamines.

[ColColt]

behinder...What sort of allergies are you getting from Sophie? Haven't you had her for a good while now? How were you handling that three months ago? If you're allergic to dog hair were you also allergic to Lucy's or was she an outside dog? Just curious.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by behinderhereyes

Alright so heres the scoop, ever since I got sophie my room smells urine. I have tried everything to get out the smell. I was wondering if there was any advice on something to get the smell out. Also I found out that I was allergic to Sophie. When I first found out I told the doctor I'm not getting ride of Sophie, so your gonna need to give me something. I think it is the dog hair, what kind of brush can I use to minimize shedding dog hair?

Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle. Both can be found at Pesmart or PetCo. They are enzyme cleaners and they remove the odor. Get a black light to help you find the exact spots even after dried.

As for the allergies, well, it's usually the dander on and animal that is the problem not the fur. Or what's on the dog. Are you sure it's dogs you are allergic to and not something she could have on her fur, like pollen? Unless you've had the allergy tests done you won't know for sure.

Any brush will help to minimize shedding. It's how often you brush her that is going to make a difference.

Try some of the over the counter allergy meds, such as Claritin or Alavert and see if they help you. (I'm allergic to dust, pollens, trees, grass, weeds, etc. Things you can't get rid of or avoid.)

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

three-four weekly baths means of course one bath every three or four weeks.

I started a thread several months ago which spoke of an apparantly excellent American product which helps to greatly remove the smell of dog urine etc as well as clean carpet etc.

[pmavrich]

I have a Spotbot that I use to clean the stains. In it I mix Oxyclean, vinegar, carpet cleaner and water, set the Spotbot on the location of the urine and walk away ... It does the rest. If you do not clean where the urine is, not matter what you spray or put in the room, it will still go back to smelling like urine.

I use a Dyson vacuum three times a week in high traffic areas to reduce the amount of fur in the house. I groom the dogs with the Furminator 3x a week prior to vacuuming. Then I bathe them twice a month in the summer and once a month in the winter with an organic shampoo (causes less dander).

My mom has severe allergies to dogs, since she developed asthma, and has no issues when she stays at my house or when we bring the dogs to her house.

PS I get my house professionally cleaned (maid service) every other week for a through clean.

[Michael Romanos]

Dogs can actually help children DECREASE their risks of contracting allergies.

If you wish me to elaborate, please advise.

[MattC]

Behinder,
My wife and I are actually allergic to our corgi too. Which is tough because we live in a small one bedroom apartment. However we found that Nature's Miracle is a blessing for reducing corgi stink (i.e. urine smells) and as Michael mentioned bathing regularly does help an awful lot. We bath Nick about once every four weeks. We also have a Miele vacuum that has a hepa filter and we try to vacuum two three times a week (we go through alot of vacuum bags) and mop once a week with Murphy's oil soap. And finally another trick that helps is we leave a window or two open during the day. This gets tricky in the winter months but a good source of fresh air in the apartment or house helps move that stagnate contaminated air.

[behinderhereyes]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Is Sophie confined to your room most of the time? Try urineout spray if she has had accidents that usually takes care of the problem unless she is still having accidents there. Also, raise your window a little to air out the room good and do a good shampoo on your carpet and vacuum your carpet everyday. Another suggestion is to purchase a good air purifier for your room. That will capture stray dog hair and allergens in your room. Did you ever have this problem around Lucy?

She and I spend alot of time there, because my mother doesn't like her running around. No I never had a problem with Lucy. It is strange, maybe its because her fur is different.

What type of kibble should I feed if this is the cause? I feed Solid Gold kibble.

[behinderhereyes]

Originally Posted by ColColt

behinder...What sort of allergies are you getting from Sophie? Haven't you had her for a good while now? How were you handling that three months ago? If you're allergic to dog hair were you also allergic to Lucy's or was she an outside dog? Just curious.

Lucy was an outside dog and is currently not. I didn't start for about three months later. The allergie symptoms are muckus build up, ichiness all over, I also throw up alot because the muckus build up, and sneezing.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by behinderhereyes

She and I spend alot of time there, because my mother doesn't like her running around.

That's a surprise.

No I never had a problem with Lucy. It is strange, maybe its because her fur is different.

Not so strange given the history. Cockers will have a different coat texture.

What type of kibble should I feed if this is the cause? I feed Solid Gold kibble.

What you are feeding isn't the source of your problem. Following the suggestions from Bonnie and MattC should help reduce some of your symptoms.

Debbie