They can be trained, to some extent - but they will always be less than 100% predictable. They are kinda cute in a fluffy way.
For a couple of years in the middle of my career, I was assigned to "other duties" while on mounted (horse) patrol. During that time, my squad and I were detailed to a remote FOB. We had RV trailers to live 4 guys in, but a common kitchen and planning tent with tables and enough room for the whole FOB to gather. One of my other Horse Patrol guys, JT, was going through a bad divorce, it should have been a Gerry Springer Special. Ol JT was having trouble sleeping and he didn't want to keep the three other guys awake so he would spend a few hours every night in the mess tent. Being remote meant that there were bears, coatimundi, ring tail cats, javelina and skunks in and round the camp on a regular basis. Ol JT started to feed the local skunks bits of bread and crackers under the table while he worked on his poor mental state. It was quickly discovered by the skunks that the old sad man would feed them yummies, and soon he had multiple little black and white "cats" bumping his feet under the table and eating from his hand. Poor old guy needed a friend, so we cut him some slack.
It was also quickly discovered who the city kids were - the ones with a high-pitched scream - when they met hungry skunks in the kitchen. We never did have a spray incident, but it did take intervention from the command staff to get JT to quit feeding the skunks. Cute as they are, they do not make good companions around the home. Yes, you can have them de-scented - but that means they are now your responsibility to keep them as inside "cats".
Best to go ahead and remove them. You can trap them, cover the trap with a wet blanket and relocate them. Ask your local County Extension office for guidance or assistance.
Or do the deed yourself and be your wife's hero.
. Wife wants them gone like yesterday. Won’t even sit out there. lol.
