TonTon is all clean once again. In fact I would go so far as to say he is the cleanest he has ever been in his short life. So here is how I did it.
When I first smelt the fresh skunk smell it was the middle of the night so he was left a few hours before washing. By then the smell had dissipated somewhat. And I was able to wash the dog without actually gagging. I wore rubber gloves of course.
I washed him outside with the hose. It would have been cold, poor wee fella. First he was lathered thoroughly with good old dishwashing liquid. I used Dawn. This is what my vet uses when cleaning an animal. Fleas hate Dawn. We used the frangipani scented one! 
Rinsed. Then tomato juice. Pour it over, rub it in and leave it on the dog for a few minutes. I am assuming the acid in the juice strips out the sticky skunk spray. 
He was still obviously smelly. So then I lathered him with a strong solution of bio green clean. This is what I use to clean my house. But is supposed to be animal friendly. It comes in big jugs and you mix it up yourself. It is made from plant products, and is an all American natural cleaning product. I like to buy products from the country I am living in. It has no nasty chemicals in it, no perfumes or colours and can take the grime out of an oven. Once again I lathered it up and left it on for a few minutes. Then rinsed. This cut straight through the stink. He was almost clean. 
Then I poured a few gallons of fresh milk over him and rubbed that in because I had it and Cleopatra bathed in it so I thought what the heck. Don’t tell Daisy. 
Then good old dishwashing liquid to finish.
And tons of rinsing. There was a wee bit of hiding under the car, but generally he is pretty good about having his bath. And will stand without shaking. And stand to be rinsed.
Anyway he was quite clean by now. Only a tiny residual smell on his face where I could not use soaps so close to his eyes. Next time he decides to do the tango with a skunk (apparently he is a slow learner) I shall use the hydrogen peroxide remedy which you can read about here (thank you Bill) and here (thank you Joss and your daughter). And report back. 
It seems to me that the skunks are walking past the bedroom doors about the same time every night. Both strikes have been about 2am. So TonTon has to stay in at night all night for the meantime. So just to be sure he was clean, last thing before bed he had the vinegar rinse. 
He was reluctant. He is not trying to jump out, he stood like this for quite some time avoiding my eyes before finally capitulating and lowering himself into the bath to be rinsed in the vinegary water. 
Of course his biggest fear was that someone might see.
Good morning. Thank goodness we got him clean. I have read so many horror stories that I was actually surprised that we got it out so quickly.
Last night about 1am he thumped his tail on the floor to wake me, asking to go out, sitting at the door staring out intently. I smelt the slightest of skunk smell wafting in through the doors. They were parading past again. Go to bed I growled from my pillow. He glared at me then went back to his bed and that was that.
If they keep to their nocturnal routine and I keep to mine we will all get along just fine. The Tall Teenager said trap them. No, I said nature loves a vacuum. If I take them out a hole will be left in my farmy ecosystem and it might be filled with something worse. We will learn about them. They can wander about the garden looking for grubs and mice at night. And if we do not bother them, then I am fairly sure they will not bother us. There is a lot of rabies in the small animals in this country so keeping out of their way seems like a better option.
Today is going to be very hot again, so I will start the chores early and get everyone set up with cold waters and mineral under their trees for the day. Yesterday we carried 100 bales of straw into the barn. Our preparations for winter are coming along just nicely.
Have a lovely day.
celi
On this date a year ago. murder in the chook house and a little about how tiny Mary’s Cat come to be on my porch that morning!
The Kitchen's Garden 
95 responses to “How to wash Skunk Stink off your Dog.”
I think Ton needs a good moisturizing now! lol Skunk is such an unpleasant smell and the bad thing is that it lasts so long…if our “Evening in Paris ” lasted that long perfume companies would be out of business..
(laughter!) c
Oh the indignity to such a proud dog! Dear TonTon–I hope he learns, but you don’t sound too sure! 🙂 Debra
we will see, best i keep him inside at night just to be sure! c
Came across this poem and thought of your friend…
Cranky Old Man…..
What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . … . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .’I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . … lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. …. . ME!!
wow, olga thank you.. this is a great poem! so true too… how is your little farm going? Have you got your chickens yet, i shall pop in and see.. c
No chickens yet, have to fix chicken coop. Ordered them, will get them in the end of August.
This will be such a useful post :D. haha 😀
I don’t think you guys have anything like skunks though!! c
We don’t have skunks here – thank goodness! Great pictures.
I have never smelt a skunk (thankfully) so I can’t imagine what Ton Ton’s *perfume* was like. It is good that you managed to get it out and he looks super clean and fluffy now.
Very funny and helpfull too!
OOh, his hair will be so lusterous from the vinegar rinse. Glad to hear you eradicated the stench.
I was going to add my remedy of peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent to your already beleaguered list of possibilities…thought I would hold out to see what worked for you…
Dropped Jenni off at college this am…haven’t felt inspired to blog much this week…I will though, I will.
J
I went back to yesterday’s blog and found the picture of Daisy at 5 days old. Oh, but she’s is pretty–and still pretty. And so is TonTon. He is a beautiful, beautiful dog.
I’m so glad you got rid of the smell, but what a big job! Poor Ton Ton. Stay away from the skunks, Ton Ton. 🙂
I’m so glad you got him clean!
Skunks are rabies vectors, so in many areas, having them trapped by experts is a death sentence because they’re not eligible for re-release.
TonTon must be squeaky clean after all that! His coat looks very shiny and healthy. Love the pics.
Skunk–the worst smell–on your dog! I will remember your “recipe”! 🙂
Ton Ton is so good natured, having to go through so many washings and rinsings, but willing to be still for you. I have skunk in my backyard somewhere, no fragrance recently, may be they relocated.
What a hero Ton Ton is to go through all that. I have never smelt skunk and never aspire to. I wonder what smell would deter a skunk? something nice like roses perhaps?