What’s worse than having your dog skunked? How about having your skunked dog run through the house, leaving a trail of stink that’s nearly impossible to get rid of?

Warm weather is here, and so again are skunks, who are busy courting and mating and spreading their scent — including on dogs.

“We had three the other day,” says Francine Barnes, owner of a kennel where skunked dogs can get cleaned.Skunks, which are also high on the list of animals that carry rabies, are more likely to be found in rural areas. But they do turn up in some cities near wooded areas, for example.

There are things a pet owner can do.

Reduce the skunk threat by not making them welcome. Never leave pet food outside, don’t feed skunks, keep trash containers secure, and remove piles of brush that could serve as shelter.

When you take the dog out at dawn or dusk — when skunks are most active — flip on a yard light and make a lot of noise first to scare them off.

Even after taking all the precautions, though, your dog can run afoul of the critters. Should the worst happen, the first thing to do is close your doors and keep the dog outside. There’s nothing worse than a skunked dog running through a house, trying to rub the scent off on rugs or furniture.

Don’t hose off the dog. A skunk’s oily musk can’t be removed by water: water only makes things worse. Also worth noting: Tomato juice doesn’t work as a remedy. It’ll just turn your dog pink.

Barnes recommends this homemade solution.ANTI-SKUNK DOG RINSE

1 quart hydrogen peroxide (at grocery

 or drugstores)

1/4 cup baking soda

2 tablespoons liquid dish soap

 (preferably Dawn)

1. Mix all ingredients. The mixture will bubble. Use it when freshly made, while it’s still active.

2. The washing should be done outside; wear protective gloves.

3. Don’t wet the dog; pour the mixture over the dry dog, being careful not to get any in the animal’s eyes. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

4. Rinse and repeat.

5. If the smell persists, make another batch of solution and do it again.