Dealing with all sorts of unpleasant odors is simply a part of the gig for pet owners, but don't let it stop you from getting one. According to PetMD dogs' skin produces an oil that's an important part of a healthy animal and has a distinctand typically unpleasant scent. But once you've created a one-of-a-kind bond with your pet and come home after a long and tiring day at work, with them eagerly waiting for you on the couch for a cuddle and snuggle session, all the hassle and troubles you go through become totally worth it.

However, even though you might be getting used to the distinct smell of your dog, your guests definitely aren't. You don't want to be that neighbor who gets bashed for questionable home hygiene in every gossip session. Getting rid of that “smelly dog” smell is not an easy task, but nor is it mission impossible. Below we listed some of the most effective ways to help you eliminate the unpleasant pet odors in your home.

1. Regular bathing and grooming

There's probably no reason to note this, but maintaining your pet's hygiene and taking care of their overall wellbeing is the number one rule for minimizing the unpleasant scent they spread around the house. Dogs love to play, which gets them into all kinds of messes, requiring a thorough bath. When washing, focus on the paws and the behind area. Also, many puppies have skin or dental infections which cause them to smell bad. Regular vet's appointments as well as bathing and grooming should keep their odor to a minimum.

2. Purify the air

In ideal circumstances, airing out your home on daily basis will be enough to get rid of any unwanted smells. However, opening windows and doors won't stop your furry buddy from messing around and leaving smelly signature marks all around your apartment or house. For a better effect, use a high-quality air purifier which helps pull some of the dander and debris out from the air in your home and thus keep the house or apartment smelling better. Moreover, you can try looking for air purifiers which are specifically designed to help address pet odors.

3. Scented candles

When airing out your home and air purifiers are not enough for neutralizing the smell, turn to home-improving alternatives. Get affordable wholesale candles and light them once a day to suppress any pet odor leftover and instead, let an enchanting and relaxing scent spread around your home. However, make sure the candles are out of your canine's reach so they don't hurt themselves or set your house on fire.

4. Use a cover forfurniture 

Pet smells love to hide in the furniture and it's where they last the longest. Using furniture covers can help prevent fur, dander, mud and traces of urine on your sofa and bed. Get washable covers for all the furniture items your dog likes to sit on or play with. Besides regular vacuuming, changing the covers once a week will help keep your home clean, fresh and nice-smelling.

5. Sprinkle baking soda

While adding baking soda to cat litter for neutralizing the smell is quite common, it's a less popular method among dog owners. Your dog can leave a smelly trail anywhere as they wander around your house, but the most common spots are your furniture and carpets. A natural way to minimize or completely eliminate this unpleasant odor is sprinkling baking soda on the main sources, such as your puppy's favorite furniture item, carpet and the corners of the rooms which are likely to be marked. This method is also safe for your fur baby.

No matter how crazy you are about your dog, you're definitely not as crazy about the way they make your home smell. No worries though, there are ways to get rid of dog smell without removing the dog. With these tips in mind, a bit of creativity and some moral support from your furry buddy, getting rid of the unpleasant pet odor will be relatively easy.