Oh yes, those little wobbly buggers that come out at night and enjoy spraying your dog and assaulting your nostrils! Your dog spots them and charges headfirst, and as a skunk’s natural defense mechanism, your pup gets sprayed, usually in the face. The smell can linger for up to six months, yuck! Why is that? Well, the spray gets absorbed into your dog’s glands, so whenever they breathe or sweat the smell comes out again. It could be a nasty cycle.

So here’s what to do if your dog gets sprayed: First, don’t panic or hesitate, the dog must be washed immediately, or even for you slowpokes, within the first 7 days with a skunk shampoo to eliminate the smell as much as possible. It might be a good idea to call animal control or a pest company to help you figure out how to get rid of the skunks if it’s a persistent problem.

Next, we recommend getting your dog to a groomer, but unfortunately, you’ll have to transport them in your car. We suggest wrapping the dog in blankets, and crossing your fingers they stay cocooned. If your car starts to have an odor, there are lots of wacky concoctions on the internet to help you clean it up, but hydrogen peroxide is always a good bet, along with some baking soda. Good luck but hopefully you won’t need it, and you and your pup can avoid skunks this year!