How my Day is Shaping Up…

[Doctor Phibes]

Ouch.

Been there, done that.

[Renauda]

Seems that the skunk has gone from under the deck. Not 100% sure but there’s nothing rustling around under there now when I stomp around the deck floor as was the case a half hour ago.

[George K]

Oh, man...

Is there any way to keep skunks from trespassing?

[Mik]

As my beloved MIL would say about days like this, "The sign's in the ass.". I have no idea where that came from, or exactly what it refers to, but it applies here.

Good luck, Renauda. A most inauspicious start.

[LuFins Dad]

Peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent in a paste. Lather the dog and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing. Don’t go longer or you’ll bleach the dogs fur.

[LuFins Dad]

Repeat as necessary

[LuFins Dad]

There are some decent over the counter sprays for the deck and inside the house if airing out doesn’t work, but I wouldn’t use on the dog.

[Mik]

That's exactly what I use to clean grout. Not sure I'd use it on a dog.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik said in How my Day is Shaping Up…:

That's exactly what I use to clean grout. Not sure I'd use it on a dog.

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/de-skunking-your-dog

[LuFins Dad]

We had to use it often a few years back…

[Copper]

I have used moth balls to keep skunks away, I know too late

[mark]

Skunks. ugh. Sorry to hear you have to deal with this.

[jon-nyc]

Ugh.

[Renauda]

As we do a lot of camping we had everything necessary on hand in the event of just this. We never thought that would get it in our backyard. He is now more less decontaminated and back in the truck box to dry out. Will know in an hour or so once he’s dried off a bit more - of course he’s a long haired dog, a Shepard/Collie/Retreiver cross.

Hardest part was cleaning the dried skunk spray off the white vinyl fence. Neutralized it with skunk odour remover then cleaned with Goof Off on a soft cloth rag. Will probably have follow up with a magic eraser as there is still a yellow tinge to the panel.

Pots of boiled 10% cleaning vinegar are dissipating the stink on the back door landing. Not sure what makes me gag more; the skunk smell or the boiling vinegar. The acrid smell of the vinegar at least does not linger once it has stopped steaming. Does the trick though neutralizing the sticky skunk smell.

Thanks all the same for the suggestions and expressions of commiseration. It’s what it is and definitely better than a porcupine.

[Jolly]

@Mik said in How my Day is Shaping Up…:

That's exactly what I use to clean grout. Not sure I'd use it on a dog.

As long as the detergent is Dawn, it's fine. Baby shampoo works, too, but Dawn is better.

[Renauda]

I used Dawn, Blue Dawn the one with the picture of the duckling on the label.

Seems to have worked pretty well. His head, face and front neck are going to need some more work though. In any case he’ll be sleeping in the box of the truck in the garage for the next 3 nights.

Just finished jamming paving bricks into what appear to be yard access points under the fence. Also went under the deck. Thankfully no sign of a den there. Hopefully this was a one time event. Still, from now on when he is let out at night, we will have check to see first that there is no skunk on the patio. Since the patio area is fenced off from the rest of the back yard the dog is contained to what is essentially a paved dog run.

[Mik]

I'm a little surprised the skunk came around with the dog's scent around. I wonder what attracted it. Water maybe?

[Renauda]

@Mik

We think so. My wife says the skunk was at his water dish when he came out the door. She thinks the skunk came in near the side gate, as that is exactly where it made a beeline to when the dog beat to quarters. I have now sealed all suspicious possible access points in the area.

[George K]

If only your dog could read...

[taiwan_girl]

@Renauda Glad it has turned out (relatively) okay!!