Why Your Doodle Still Smells After a Bath (and 7 Fixes)
Laura Acevedo
Quick answer: Most doodles smell after a bath because the coat is still damp near the skin, or shampoo is left behind in the curls. Brush out mats before the bath, rinse longer than you think you need to, and dry all the way down to the skin. Then brush with a long pin Slicker Brush for Doodles and check your work with a metal comb. If the smell comes back fast or seems to come from the ears, mouth or skin, ask your vet.
You just spent an hour bathing your doodle. A day or two later, that wet dog smell is back. It is one of the most frustrating things about owning a curly-coated dog, and you are not alone.
We started Freshly Bailey in 2020 because keeping our doodle Bailey's coat healthy and free of mats was a real struggle. Thick, curly coats hold on to water, soap and dirt in a way short coats do not. The good news is that most of the smell comes from a few things you can fix at home.
Why does my doodle still smell after a bath?
According to the American Kennel Club, the wet dog smell comes from the yeast and bacteria that live on your dog's coat. As water dries off the coat, it carries their smell into the air. So a coat that stays damp keeps smelling. Here are the five most common reasons a doodle still smells after a bath.
- The coat is still damp near the skin. The top of a doodle coat can feel dry while the hair close to the skin stays wet for hours. That trapped moisture is a perfect place for smell to build.
- Shampoo is left in the coat. Thick curls hold on to soap. Leftover shampoo can trap dirt and leave the coat sticky and smelly.
- Mats and tangles trap water and dirt. A mat acts like a sponge. It soaks up water in the bath and takes a long time to dry, so it can start to smell.
- Bedding, towels and the car smell. A clean dog lying on a dirty bed picks up the old smell again.
- The smell is not coming from the coat. Ears, teeth, skin and anal glands can all cause odor. A bath will not fix these.
7 ways to stop the after-bath smell
1. Brush out mats before the bath
Never bathe a matted coat before you brush out the mats. Water makes mats tighter, and a wet mat can stay damp against the skin long after the rest of your dog is dry. Mist the coat with detangler spray, then brush and comb until the comb glides through. If a mat is tight against the skin, ask a groomer to cut it out safely.
2. Use a shampoo made for curly coats
Some shampoos leave a heavy film on curly hair. A gentle shampoo and conditioner made for wavy and curly coats cleans well and helps the curls separate, so water and air can reach the skin. Work the shampoo down to the skin with your fingers, not just over the top of the coat.
3. Rinse, then rinse again
Rinse until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery. Then rinse one more time. Pay extra attention to the armpits, belly, chest, behind the ears and under the tail. These spots hold the most soap.
4. Dry all the way to the skin
This is the biggest fix. Gently squeeze water out with a thick towel instead of rubbing, which can tangle curls. Then use a dog dryer or a hair dryer on a cool or low setting. Keep it moving and keep it away from the face. Lift the hair with your fingers or a brush as you dry, so the air reaches the skin. Do not let your doodle go to bed with a damp coat.
5. Brush and comb once the coat is dry
Brushing a dry coat fluffs the curls, removes loose hair and lets air move through the coat. Follow with a metal comb from the skin out. If the comb snags, there is a tangle that may still be holding water. If the hair near the skin feels cool or damp, keep drying.
6. Wash bedding and towels the same day
Wash your dog's bed, blankets and bath towels on bath day. Wipe down the car seat or crate pad too. That way your clean dog does not lie back down in the old smell.
7. Do not bathe too often
It is tempting to bathe a smelly dog more often, but too many baths can dry out the skin. The AKC suggests about once a month for most dogs, and warns against covering odor with perfumes. Between baths, regular brushing does more for smell than another bath. A light mist of leave-in conditioner keeps curls soft and easy to brush, but it is not a fix for a real odor problem.
The tools we recommend for a doodle that smells after a bath
A quick note: we make these tools, so we are biased. Here is why we recommend each one for a doodle that smells after a bath.
Doodle Shampoo & Conditioner
Made for wavy and curly coats, with oatmeal and aloe. It is gentle on the skin, rinses out clean and helps the curls separate, which makes drying and combing easier.
"A little goes a long way and it left my doodles fur feeling nice and soft that is made the drying and combing process a lot easier. I recommend this product"
Review by Brenda
Slicker Brush for Goldendoodles, Poodles & Doodles
The long, flexible pins reach through thick curls to the hair near the skin. Use it before the bath to clear tangles, and after drying to fluff the coat so air can move through it. Choose Small for dogs under 15 lbs and Large for 15 lbs and up.
Greyhound Metal Comb for Dogs
The comb is how you know you are really done. The wide teeth find hidden tangles that hold water, and the fine teeth finish the coat. Rounded tips are gentle on the skin.
Doodle Detangler Spray
A leave-in conditioner for curly coats that works on damp or dry hair. Mist it on before you brush out mats on bath day, and use a light mist between baths to keep the coat soft and easy to brush.
"This smells great and seems to work well. I am very pleased with this."
Review by Den T
A simple bath day routine for a fresh-smelling doodle
- Mist the coat with detangler spray and brush out any tangles. Comb to make sure there are no mats left.
- Wet the coat all the way to the skin with lukewarm water.
- Wash with a curly coat shampoo, working it down to the skin with your fingers.
- Rinse until the water runs clear, then rinse once more.
- Squeeze out water with a thick towel. Do not rub.
- Dry with a dryer on a cool or low setting, lifting the hair so air reaches the skin.
- Brush the dry coat, then comb from the skin out. Dry again any spot that still feels damp.
- Put your dog on a clean bed with fresh blankets.
New to doodle grooming? Our guide on how to groom a goldendoodle covers the basics. And if your dog fights the brush, read why your dog hates being brushed.
When to call your vet
If your dog smells bad again within a day or two of a good bath and full dry, the smell may not be coming from the coat. The AKC says skin and ear infections are the most common medical reasons dogs smell. Call your vet if you notice head shaking, scratching, licking or rubbing, red or crusty skin or ears, hair loss, a fishy smell from the rear, very bad breath, or a smell that keeps getting stronger. Do not try home remedies like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide in the ears.
Frequently asked questions
Should I let my doodle air dry?
It is better not to. A thick, curly coat can stay damp near the skin for a long time, which is where the smell starts. Towel dry first, then finish with a dryer on a cool or low setting.
How often should I bathe my doodle?
For most doodles, about once a month is plenty, unless they get into something messy. Bathing too often can dry out the skin. Brushing a few times a week does more to keep the coat fresh.
Why does my doodle smell worse when wet?
As water dries off the coat, it carries the smell of the yeast and bacteria that live there into the air. That is why a damp doodle smells strongest, and why drying fully makes such a big difference.
Can I brush my doodle while the coat is wet?
Yes. You can brush a wet or dry coat, and a light mist of detangler spray helps the brush glide. Just brush out mats before the bath, because water makes mats tighter.
Can I just use a spray to cover the smell?
A spray can make the coat smell nice for a while, but it will not fix a damp coat, leftover shampoo or a health problem. Fix the cause first. If the smell keeps coming back, see your vet.
A fresh-smelling doodle mostly comes down to a clean, fully dry coat. Brush first, rinse well, dry all the way to the skin, and finish with a comb. Do that on bath day, and that wet dog smell should not follow your doodle around the house.