At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs can't stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Here's why — plus, how to use their dislike of citrus to your advantage.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
Vinegar is another household item that dogs stay away from due to its strong smell. You can use vinegar straight from the bottle to sprinkle or spray.
You can use vinegar to keep dogs away from your lawn by spraying it around the perimeter of the area you want to be canine-free. Dogs don't like the strong smell of vinegar and thus will be deterred by it.
Not only will a vinegar and water solution eliminate urine odor if your dog has already peed on the rug, but it will also deter them from urinating on the same carpet again. The acidic smell of vinegar is known to repel dogs from peeing on area rugs as they do not like the smell of vinegar.
Citrus. The citrus smell is arguably the best dog repellent there is. You do not have to do a lot. Simply peel an orange or a lemon next to your dog and you will observe it leaving the spot immediately.
Use dog-repelling scents
Commercial dog-repellent sprays, which you can find online. Citrus trees, fruits, or juices. Rue plants. Citronella plants or oil.
For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach. You know–just in case.
Since dogs have a very good sense of smell, the lavender oil should always be diluted, otherwise, it is too potent for any dog to enjoy. Although most dogs seem indifferent to the aromatic smell of lavender, some dogs appear to actually like it a lot even though it is quite rare.
Eucalyptus oil is used in aromatherapy to treat breathing problems (4). The smell of eucalyptus can be very overwhelming for dogs in both positive and negative ways. But all these benefits are for humans.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
In a clean spray bottle, mix two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 20 drops of any citrus scented essential oil into one and a half cups of cold water. Mix well and spray in the places around your home that you want the dog to stay away from.
Clean soiled areas thoroughly with a cleaner specifically designed to eliminate urine odor. Make previously soiled areas inaccessible or unattractive. If this isn't possible, try to change the significance of those areas to your pet. Feed, treat and play with your pet in the areas where they mark.
Does the smell of peppermint bother dogs? Yes. Peppermint oil has a strong scent for humans, and dogs have a stronger sense of smell than humans. So, the smell of peppermint can be very high for dogs and it might irritate them and bother them.
Just spray or pour vinegar over the poop zone. Dogs are highly sensitive to smell and hate the scent of vinegar. Willie now refuses to go anywhere we've sprayed it. If your area is under cover you'll need to re treat the area around once a week until pooch has gotten the message.
Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.
Spray vinegar around the perimeter.
A roaming dog will take one sniff of your lawn and turn away, but you should keep reapplying the vinegar on a daily basis.
Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs. In addition, pets with diarrhea or other intestinal illnesses may not be able to make it outside fast enough.
The vinegar odor acts as a deterrent to help prevent the puppy from urinating and defecating on the carpet.
Don't worry about buying fancy deodorizers for fabrics, just mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can spritz a light mist to get rid of doggie smells. For carpet, vacuum once a week using baking soda. If you have tile, mop using a 3 to 1 solution of water to vinegar.
You can use either white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV), both of which are edible and completely non-toxic. Your pup might not appreciate the smell, but don't worry—the strong vinegar scent fades once it dries.