5 Scents To Deter Dogs From Peeing (& How To Use Them) (2024)

A white Shih Tzu lifting his left to urinate on the lawn.

Dogs are great companions, but when they are being potty trained, they may have accidents or may start peeing in locations where they shouldn’t.

You can deter your dog from this behavior by adding a scent that they find offensive to keep them away.

What smells deter dogs from peeing? Citrus and spicy scents are some of the best smells to deter a dog from peeing somewhere he shouldn’t. If your dog is peeing in your home or even in sections of your yard, spraying or sprinkling things with these scents in the location may deter him. 

If your dog is peeing in your home or another location where you don’t want him or her to urinate, read on to learn more about what scents can stop the behavior.

5 Most Effective Scents To Deter Dogs From Peeing

While there are many scents that dogs do not find appealing and will avoid, these are the five most effective scents for deterring dogs from peeing where they shouldn’t. 

1. Citrus

Dogs are very sensitive to citrus scents and the oils found in citrus fruits. These scents are extremely strong to dogs, and they tend to avoid them whenever possible.

How To Use

You can peel an orange, lemon, or lime and place the peels in the area. The peels contain a lot of oils that carry a strong scent.

You can also boil the citrus peels on the stove to extract the oils, and then add the mixture to a spray bottle, and spray the solution in the area.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar also has a very strong scent that can irritate the sensitive nose of your dog.

A little vinegar goes a long way, and while the scent doesn’t stay noticeable to humans for long, dogs will be able to smell it for much longer.

How To Use

Simply mix one part vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle, and spray it around the area where the dog is peeing. You can do this several times a day if needed.

3. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are spicy, and dogs cannot stand to be around this scent. It tends to stay in their noses for long periods of time and block other smells. It also irritates their nasal cavities.

How To Use

You can sprinkle chili pepper flakes directly in the area of your choice.

You can also add the whole chili peppers to the location or blend the peppers with some water in your blender, strain, and spray the solution to cover a larger area.

A beagle sniffing patch of grass intently.

4. Ammonia

Ammonia has a very strong scent, and it can affect dogs much worse than it affects humans.

Ammonia can also be used to help cover up other scents, so if your dog is peeing in a location because he can smell his previous pee spot, the ammonia can help remove the smell.

How To Use

To apply ammonia to your home or outdoor area, simply mix even parts of ammonia and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the area.

The odor will seem strong at first, but it will fade. Dogs will be able to smell it much longer and will avoid the area.

5. Citronella

Citronella may not seem like a strong scent to humans, but it’s very strong and offensive to dogs.

It’s also natural and safe, so you won’t have to worry about it harming your dog if he does get too close to an area treated with citronella.

How To Use

You can find citronella in candles, sprays, oils, and even plug-ins. Citronella is often used to deter insects, and it works the same for dogs.

Simply put the citronella of your choice in the area, and the dog will find a new place to urinate. 

Best Dog Pee Repellent Spray

There are many commercial sprays that are available to apply to areas of your home or yard to deter your dog from peeing there. Here are some of the best options.

EverJoice Dog Not Here! Spray

This spray can be used to deter dogs from areas inside and outside.

Not only will it keep your dog from peeing in a certain spot, but it can also deter your dog from chewing or even lying in a certain area of your yard or home.

It’s safe, easy to use, and doesn’t have a smell that is offensive to humans.

Four Paws Keep Off!

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This product comes in an aerosol can and is easy to use. It has an odor that is strong enough to deter both cats and dogs from an area, and it works both indoors and outdoors. 

Nature’s Miracle No More Marking

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  • HELPS REMOVE STAINS AND ODORS: Removes even tough, deep-set urine stains

Natural ingredients make this spray safe to use around humans and animals. It includes lemongrass and cinnamon, which are strong scents that deter dogs and even cats.

Homemade Dog Urine Repellent

You can make your own dog urine repellent by boiling lemon and orange peels on the stove combined with two cups of water.

Once the solution cools, strain out the solids, add the liquid to a spray bottle, and spray it in an area to deter your dog from urinating there.

Related Questions:

What Repels Dogs From Chewing?

Dogs will not chew on things that taste bad. Spraying a solution of chili flakes mixed with water on the area where the dog is chewing will cause the area or object to taste bad and deter the dog from chewing on it. 

How Do You Keep Dogs Out of Your Yard?

The best way to keep a dog out of your yard is to create a barrier that will not allow them to enter. This may be a fence, row of bushes, or other obstacles that dogs will not be able to climb over or under.

You can also spray the entire perimeter of your yard with a deterrent such as ammonia or vinegar that may help prevent dogs from entering the yard.

Conclusion 

If your dog is peeing in your home or yard and you want to deter him, there are numerous scents that you can use to keep him away from a certain area.

You can make many of these deterrents yourself, or you can buy them online and at local pet supply stores. If you choose a deterrent for your home or yard, make sure it’s safe for pets.

Last update on 2024-04-18 at 18:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API