Dirty hands?

Dear Darcie, All of a sudden today my dog wouldn’t let me get close to her. We were going to do a training session which has always been fun for both of us. This morning it was different, I reached to give her a treat, she kind of did this “Eeeeewww” thing with her nose and backed away, twice. I quit trying because it was obvious she was trying to tell me something. But after lunch everything was fine again. I didn’t feel very good when I woke up this morning, bathroom kind of not feeling good. But would she have been reacting to that? Anna

Dear Anna,

Yes, you may have hit the nail right on the head. Especially if your dog is one of those dogs, like mine, who will avoid poop and pee with everything they’ve got. If I walk my dogs past a pile of poop somewhere, they will side step it  with several ballet steps and look like they’re holding their nose. But if you were sick and she could tell that, even more reason not to eat from your hands. You more than likely washed your hands before and after you ate so after lunch she was good with you again.

When we go to the bathroom, we use our hand with paper, of course, to wipe. When we flush, the fecal bacteria and germs (read that smell to your dog) can spray several feet if you don’t close the lid first. That scent (germs and bacteria) can get on your clothes and on your hands. Ever wonder why if someone farted clear across the room, you could still smell it? Those scent particles have come to your nose. “Eeeeewww.”

Because it was a one time thing and it was after you came out of the bathroom, chances are that you smelled kinda bad to your dog and she avoided your hands. Especially if you were sick to your stomach or had some intestinal upset. Although you go to the bathroom every day, it just smells like you so that would be acceptable to her. Some dogs don’t like that sick smell and will avoid it. People probably wouldn’t have noticed.

What to do? Wash your hands for the length of the birthday song with mild soap and warm water. This is a good practice no matter whether you’re sick or not. Antibiotic soap isn’t necessary; let’s not make the bacteria stronger by giving it something to learn to fight against. Close the lid before you flush, that really helps contain the spray.

Some would say flush and run so you less get on you. That’s not really practical unless your toilet has it’s own little closet so don’t worry too much, we’ve been using the toilet for years and we haven’t died yet. It’s not the top of the toilet seat that is so affected by the spray, that actually has been proven to have less bacteria on it, it’s what’s within eight feet of the toilet and under the seat. Clean your bathroom often.

You might want to put your toilet paper out of harms way (inside metal or plastic cabinet). And hey, put your toothbrush in a safer out of the way place. A little further from the toilet. “Eeeeewww.”