Why does my dog stink after being outside?

While simply going outdoors doesn't necessarily make your dog smell bad -- unless it's raining -- the things that he encounters out there do. For example, your dog's coat can act like a sponge for water, soaking up rain, river water and more. When he isn't thoroughly dried, that moisture allows bacteria to build up in his coat, creating wet dog smell. Dogs are also generally more willing to get up close and personal with foul-smelling things than humans are. For example, some dogs enjoy rolling around in odorous finds, like feces and animal carcasses. Monitor your pet's outdoor playtime to make sure that he isn't getting into anything undesirable, and he may come in smelling much more pleasant.