By: Beverly Ulbrich, The Pooch Coach

There are a lot of good articles about what to do if your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, but no one has time to read through it all or watch videos when it happens. So here are some quick, easy steps you can take to be prepared, help your dog suffer less and get rid of the smell.

1. Be prepared. Stock these items so you’re prepared in advance: baking soda, three percent hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish-washing detergent, such as Dawn. Nature’s Miracle also makes a Skunk Odor Remover.

2. Contain the smell. Your dog will want to rub off the oil on whatever he can find, so try to keep your dog outside or at least away from anything in your house.

3. Act quickly. Every second counts. The oils sinks into your dog’s coat quickly and it burns his eyes, mouth, nose and skin.

4. Blot off oil. Dry off any residual oil right away with a paper towel, or a towel you’re willing to throw out afterwards. This will keep you from spreading it with water when you wash him.

5. Rinse. Rinse, rinse, rinse! Use a hose, or rinse your dog in the shower or tub. If he’s been sprayed in the face, make sure you rinse out his mouth and eyes. He’ll be salivating heavily and will need your help.

6. Wash. Use Nature’s Miracle wash or wash with the following exact combination, mixed in an open container so it does not explode:

-1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon of strong liquid dishwashing soap

Be careful around the mouth and eyes with this mixture.

7. Repeat. Continue rinsing and reapplying on the affected area until the smell is almost gone.

8. Bathe. Bathe your dog in his regular dog shampoo to get the solution off. Don’t forget to dry him well so he is not cold.

9. Wash or throw away everything else. Wash anything your dog touched; your clothes, your towels, etc. Use baking soda or Nature’s Miracle Skunk Remover with your laundry detergent to ensure you get rid of all the oils and smells, and that you don’t leave skunk oil residue in the washing machine. Your nose will get used to the smell pretty quickly, so you’ll probably need help from a friend to tell you what things need to be washed or tossed.

10. Train your dog. Of course, training your dog to stay away from all dangers is the best solution. Hire a professional, like the Pooch Coach.

Make sure to keep an eye on your dog for three to five days following a skunk attack; if he is weak or lethargic, he could be having a reaction and needs to visit the vet as soon as possible. If any redness or irritation persists near your dog’s nose or mouth, he’ll need to go see the vet right away.

For more in-depth information on skunks and skunk sprays, check out this article with more tips and advice.