Does your dog smell like a dog?

Has your dog ever smelled like, well, a dog? 

The smell of dirty, wet dog is one of the worst and most distinct smells.  It's up there with the smell of body odor and feet!  If you think about it, a stinky puppy is just that - doggie BO.

How often do you give your dogs a bath/groom and do they like it?
Most dog grooming articles suggest you bathe your dog every 6-weeks.  Well, I tried that.  It simply does not work.  6 weeks of no bath leaves Copley with an aroma that doesn't leave much to the imagination.  So, we're bathing more frequently, every two to three weeks.  But, protecting her skin and coat is really important to me so I'm very careful about her baths:
1) I rotate her shampoos: 

• Our everyday shampoo is ESPREE Oatmeal and Baking Soda Shampoo.  I find that oatmeal and baking soda shampoos really cut the odor.  The oatmeal works as a soother and the baking soda gets to work!
• When we spend the day at the beach, she gets a flea & tick shampoo bath.  Since she sleeps in my bed, i want to make sure we've killed all the little critters and cut the odor of any dead fish she may have rolled in.

2) We ZoomGroom!  The Kong(r) ZoomGroom is by far the best grooming tool out there.  It is a rubber-nubbed brush that helps remove loose hairs while giving Copley a very relaxing massage.  I notice her closing her eyes while getting a bath - it's kind of like the amazing head massages you get at the salon during shampoo and conditioning.  Very relaxing.

3) Luke warm water.  I find that hot water hurts her feet and she jumps around.  Both cold and hot water seem to dry out her skin.  You've got to get it "just right". 

4) Rinse, rinse, rinse.  I couldn't figure out why Copley was getting doggie dandruff and it was because I wasn't rinsing her very well.  Keep a cup handy to help with rinsing. 

How do you manage the stink and shine between baths?
Okay, we bought the whole Pet Head thing.  But, it is true.  Dogs do need a between baths, bath.  We have a few different tools we use to keep her looking good and smelling fresh:

1) To keep her shinny, Copley gets a daily treat with Salmon.  Our favorite is Lamb & Salmon by WellBites

2) For those in a pinch moments where she needs to be cleaned but we don't have time for a bath, Earthbath Grooming Wipes are really handy.  They help while off the dirt and eliminate the odor 

3) For a fun fresh scent (before company comes over), a bottle of Pet Head Dry Clean helps mask any odor and always leads to great conversation about why the little dog smells like a blueberry

Can bath time be fun?
Yes! It can be. When I say "bath time", Copley runs to the tub and jumps in. She gets a special, secret treat in the tub. I smear a little peanut butter on the side of the tub. It keeps her distracted while I get to work.

What are you tips and tricks to make bath time fun?

Dog, do you disc?

Copley's favorite toy is the frisbee.  And, we're looking for some disc dog friends.  Know anyone?

I buy the hyperflite competition standard (pup size) .  Totally crazy, but they truely are the best discs out there (i've tried a few).  They are the perfect size for a Boston Terrier.  Second, they float really well - giving Copley a chance to snag them right out of the air.  How many little dogs have you seen do that?

Our frisbee addiction rules our life.  We play frisbee every night - never miss one. I can't even mention the word "frisbee" in Copley's presence or she'll start crying for it.  Nick and I have a code word or we spell it out!  It's like hiding ice cream or candy from a kid.  

We've got a few tricks including catching the frisbee out of the air, going through my legs to catch the frisbee out of the air, and so on.  But, I want to take this to the next level and have her jump up on to my back and over - catching the frisbee out of the air!  Anyone know how to train her to do that?