I grew up around tons of animals and never once had any allergies from them. Its been 6ish years since I lived at home and somewhere along the line I acquired an allergy to dog hair. We just moved into our first home this week and after a few days I started to notice a lingering smell of wet dog. At first I thought no big deal, but four days into it my allergies have flared up big time. Sore throat, stuffed right up, its driving me mad. Turns out the previous owners had two beautiful white Boxers.(they really are extremely beautiful looking dogs) None the less I need to find a way to clear up the allergens that the dogs left behind. I searched the web and found many chemicals that claim to work, but don't have a clue which one would really cut it. Do any of you here have any experience ridding a house of this smell. I want it gone so I can get on with my life.

Thanks
Shaggs

Wow that's a tough one. Even if they had dogs in there for a long time the smell of dog should sunside fairly soon. Especially if the place has had a solid cleaning and air out.

Wet dog smell seems odd. General dog smell sure but wet? Wet is a bit different and makes me wonder if there is something else involved like mold.

Is the house carpeted? If they've lived on the carpet for a long time that be the issue. We have hardwood floors so if we wash the dog's bedding you can hardly tell there's a dog here.

Another thought is the HVAC system. If you've had to run the heat there may be pet hair in the system. Sorry I can't be more help.

Contact a reputable and recommended HVAC company. Ask neightbors and friends. Have them check/clean the heating sys.

If there is mostly wall to wall Carpeeting you may need/want to have a professional steam cleaning Co com in, or try it yourself. Carpets really hold odors and are the biggest pain to clean..

bad news shaggs....
i was in the renovation/handyman business for years and we had a lot of apartment building as clients.
typically once a tenant moved out the law required the apartment be cleaned/disinfected which included painting the walls and steam cleaning all carpets as a minimum. anything work/upgrade, repair, and/or maintenance related would wait until a new tenant was signed up (new money from damage deposit...no idea why they did not use old tenant's damage deposit and get the work done earlier rather than later).
i've been to apartments (repainted and steam cleaned and aired out) of previous pet owners that have been vacant for two to three months and most times i wouldn't even make it through the "walk through work order" with the apartment manager before allergies kick in. i could see the walls were repainted and i could feel the carpets (were usually crunchy-ish from lack of traffic after being steam cleaned) were cleaned. there was never a smell pet/paint order too.
I'd just get the itchy eyes and runny nose after 10-20 minutes and that's it.
always the same... I'd ask the manager if the previous tenants were cat/dog owners and the reply would be Yes but the apartments been steam cleaned and the walls have been repainted and it's been empty for months.
also most of the places are baseboard heated and not forced air furnace.
your allergies may not be as sensitive as mine.
--- i did meet a realter once who said he could get rid of any dog smell from any house he was showing. you may want to give some realters a call.
good luck with your search.

Thanks guys we are actually planing on removing the carpets next year and put in hardwood and tile throughout. We got some industrial cleaner today that my aunt recommended, worked for her and she has attacks if she's near any pet so hopefully it'll suffice for now. My friend is also a duct and chimney cleaner so maybe I'll get him in to clean the system out as its probably in the ducts. Again I really appreciate this advice. My sinuses are driving me mad.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE THE CONDITION OF YOU CARPET, PURCHASE A UV BLACK LIGHT USE EXTENSION CORD - IN THE EVENING WHEN DARK ALL LIGHTS OUT HOLD THE LIGHT 1FT/2FT ABOVE CARPETING WHILE WALKING ALL PRIOR DAMAGE WILL APPEAR AS A IRIDESCENT GLOW. THE GLOWING AREAS COULD BE PET ISSUES OR PRIOR SPILLS AND SPOT CLEANING. OR CALL YOUR LOCAL CHEMDRY ONLY SPEAK WITH AND HAVE EVALUATION AND WORK PERFORMED BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR IF YOU CHOOSE TO SALVAGE CARPET THE EQUIPMENT USED MUST BE THE TRUCK MOUNT ROTARY CTS SYSTEM.. JUST A ADDED NOTE WHEN A CARPET IS CRUNCHY AFTER CLEANING THAT INDICATES SURFACTANTS SOAPS AND
OTHER HARSH IRRITATING RESIDUES HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE CARPET ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DIRT. RENTAL MACHINES AND HOME REMEDIES WILL NOT REMOVE THE SOURCE. GOOD LUCK

I use Loratadine. I have allergies to cats, I take this everytime I head to my friends house that have cats. It helps a ton.! cheap over the counter at Walmarts!

You hope the stains that show under UV are pet issues!:D:shocked2: