Another method of getting rid of dog smell, this mainly for vehicles or small contained areas. Pour a bottle of white vinegar in to a bowl - set in the vehicle / small area overnight. The vinegar absorbs the smells - it does NOT leave a vinegar type smell - it's more like a neutralizer. I learned this from a car detailer who uses it to make smelly smokey cars smell decent again.
I personally do not recommend Febreeze to anyone.

Depending on how much carpet you have, that's probably a big problem. Even a cheap home carpet cleaner will work wonders. It saved our carpet with Auster (who had a bladder infection during house training, potty breaks every 30 mins or else). Now we live in a house with all hardwood/vinyl/tile and I love it.

Definitely get rid of the Iams. I bought some once when we ran out of other kibble, and it created all sorts of trouble.

There are several non soapy dog shampoos that smell pretty good to non dog people (I like the way a healthy dog smells). Kenic makes some, and other companies do too. Take your wife to the pet store and let her pick out the shampoo (at least she knows you are trying, otherwise VanCamp gave you some good advice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).

Get some enzyme cleaner for the accident spots too.

I may be lucky but I think not!!

My dogs (if they smell at all) have minimal odour. I brush then regularily and bathe them (spring-to get rid of excess hair) and fall.

Period.

My friends all say ( I know..weird friends) "your dogs don't smell like dogs".

I feed Pro-plan and have been on it for years.

I have 4 adult GSDs and 3 cats, all house pets, and many brutally honest non-animal loving guests - no smell.

Liam what does your pup eat?

From what you said, it seems that the puppy is hardly IN the house anyway!! During the day it's in the basement, and at night its out by the front door?
How can it possibly be causing a doggie smell to be in the house when IT doesn't appear to be in the house!!?? That said, are you sure that perhaps the wife is just not happy about the pup to begin with and using smell as an issue??

All dogs smell like a dog to some extent, and perfumed deodorizing products can be used to correct/mask this only if used dilligently, since it will return(ie, after a walk in the rain 2 weeks after the last bath session).

If the problem is truly allergies, I remember an old folk remedy supposedly used by groomers to reduce allergic reactions in sensitive pet owners was to give the animal a bath and then do a final rinse in fabric softener( ie,Downy) every 2 weeks.
Not sure if it works, but doesn't seem like it could be all that bad to try.( in addition to a raw or premium diet)

Good Luck, and IMO, consider a new home for the dog if it can't live as an accepted part of the family! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When I was a young canine handler, I was flattered one night when the captain wanted to ride with me,"to see exactly what canine handlers do on patrol". His first comment when getting in the car was: "Officer, what about the smell". I professionally explained to the captain: "Don't worry sir, the dog will get used to you." Funny how are perspectives take different routes, isn't it.

DFrost

Just as some people's houses stink and they don't know it, some people THINK they smell something and they DON'T. Like when I see a tick and scratch my head -though it doesn't really itch.
I met a girl recently who was raised to hate dogs (lets NOT get into how). I met her at a new years eve party. The home had 17 people in it and a toy poodle. The poodle had been bathed two days before the party and was impeccably groomed. And it was half the size of a cat, the house was very big with little carpeting and a high ceiling. This crazy girl SWORE the house stank of dog and rudely told the owner he couldn't smell the dog because he's used to it. I SWORE it didn't smell and did a 'doggy' check right there and then. I smelled the dog quite comically, checking fur (buy sticking my nose in the coat), ears (by sticking my nose in both) and mouth (by sticking my nose in the poodles mouth) I did a 'visual' derier check! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .
Needless to say this 'toy' was a very sweet dog and liked the attention. Anyway the dog didn't smell. The crazy girl nearly had a heart attack at the sight of me sticking my face on a dog so much though!
Check and see if your dog smells. When dobie pups smell its usually a) dirty or infected ears or b) bad diet. A healthy dobie pup can sometimes smell like cookies -a trait I find particularly attractive in the breed...
Then check and see if your girlfriend is lying.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn she is NOT allergic to dogs at all. Creepy eh? Well I've seen alot of such creepy stuff in my day.
Like girlfriends that are insecure and jealous of a few pounds of live love on four legs.
On a lighter note, if your girlfriend is not insecure and really just sensitive she WILL get used to the dog (and smell) but ONLY if she wants to. Does she?

David, I love that story! I was just thinking about it the other day at a team training.

Mark, interesting about the Febreeze. I'll have to do some more research on it.

Thanks for all the reply's, my wife read them and also mentioned to say that she has had mild allergies and a bit of asthma and being pregnant seems to have triggered the smell problem. She has had NO problems other then that to date. I am racking myself here as I really don't want to get rid of him but at the same time my wife's health and living area is my main concern. I will try some of the things mentioned, and thanks guys and gals for all the information.
Its hard when you get attached to such a good animal isn't it.
Thanks

Liam, I think I owe you an apology.
I misread the posts and thought we were all discussing your girlfriend and not your wife!
A good Dobie is better than any cranky girlfriend but a wife is a whole different story! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I'm sorry if I came of as 'snooty' I was mostly kidding...
You never mentioned she's pregnant (congrats btw!)
Pregnant women almost always have a very sensitive sense of smell (hey, they eat for two -they need to know where the food is! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) so I would try to be very understanding if I was you.
The puppy probably doesn't really smell so bad but a pregnant woman is ALWAYS right so don't go upsetting her. Soon you will have a beautiful family and a not-so-sensitive wife! Dobies are really good with kids (they are sweet and playful dogs) and even better when they have learned basic obedience before the baby's arrival! I wish you and yours lots of luck, health and happiness. "Childproofing your dog" by Brian Kilcommons is a very good book btw.