Perhaps your dog is urinating in inappropriate places, or one of the neighborhood canines has taken a liking to relieve themselves on your shrubs and landscaping. A dog urine repellent is one solution you can try to get the problem under control once and for all. These mixtures can be sprayed or applied around the areas where you are experiencing high urine problems. Just be sure your pup can’t lick up these mixtures, as some can be toxic if ingested. Instead, allow them to dry or absorb before letting your dog near.
These repellents rely on a pup’s sensitivity to specific smells. However, they vary in how offensive they may perceive the scents. One reason lies in the size of a dog’s olfactory epithelium. That’s the nasal tissue that contains the animal’s scent receptors. It can vary between 18–150 centimeters2, depending on the breed. Hounds are well-known for their sense of smell and may react differently to specific scents than other breeds. However, if one solution doesn’t work, you have plenty of options to try to find the one that turns away the offending canine.
The Top 12 Homemade Dog Pee Repellents
1. Citronella Oil
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Outdoors only |
Citronella oil does an excellent job of repelling, whether it’s mosquitoes or other insect pests. It can also deter dogs. The reason is the intensity of its scent. Canines typically sniff out a spot before they mark it. A whiff of citronella can make them move away, especially for pups with sensitive noses. However, it can have a similar effect on people as well.
Therefore, we suggest using it outside to avoid offending anyone in the household. The good news is that it’s non-toxic to people and wildlife. Dogs, however, can get some respiratory irritation from inhaling high concentrations of citronella, so use a diluted product and spray sparingly.
- Moderately effective
- Ready availability
- Safe for humans
- Pungent smell
- Can irritate your dog in high concentrations
2. Sour Apple Essential Oil Spray
Ease of Use: | Moderate |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Not suitable for plants |
You can mix sour apple essential oil in a diluted solution with a neutral oil or water. Just a few drops will do. It’s not an unpleasant smell for people, but it’s not as appealing to dogs. Dilution is imperative, and you must ensure the dog doesn’t lick the undiluted oil. We also recommend not spraying it directly on plants. Instead, you can apply it near them on the ground.
You can find apple essential oil online or at health food stores. It’s one of the more reasonably priced products of its type.
- Pleasant scent
- Affordable and easy to find.
- Toxic to ingest
- Dissipates quickly
3. Hot Chili Powder
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Highly effective |
Placement: | Inconspicuous spots |
If you have a bird feeder, you’re probably familiar with using hot chili powder to repel squirrels. It has the same effect on dogs. We suggest using it on inconspicuous spots because it can stain lighter-colored surfaces. You should also use it sparingly as it can irritate sensitive canine noses.
On the positive side, it will probably get the message across quickly and solve the problem with one application.
- Effective
- Readily available
- Affordable
- Irritating for sensitive dogs
4. Cinnamon-Citrus Spray
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Avoid direct use of plants |
The cinnamon-citrus combination has two scents that many dogs might not like. Because of the possible irritation it can cause, it’s essential to dilute it before using it. Like other essential oils, this volatile mix can dissipate quickly, especially after precipitation.
While it can be effective, it’s also essential to use as few drops as necessary because citrus has the potential to be toxic to canines and other pets.
- Pleasant scent
- Potent
- Potential toxicity of citrus
- Volatility of the oils
5. Vinegar and Citrus Spray
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Highly effective |
Placement: | Avoid use on plants |
This solution uses vinegar as the carrier agent to create a scent bomb that will deter most dogs. It combines two ingredients with strong smells, especially when using white distilled vinegar. However, you can also use apple cider vinegar to get similar results. The high acidity means that you won’t want to use it directly on plants.
Vinegar is volatile, too, and will dissipate quickly. Nevertheless, we suggest not spraying it downwind of any open windows.
- Effective
- Affordable
- Strong odor
- Harmful to plants
6. Lemongrass-Peppermint Solution
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Where needed, avoiding direct plant contact |
This combination is so pleasing that you won’t think it is a repellent. The peppermint oil is easy to find, and the lemongrass is a bit pricier but still readily available. As with all our recipes, it’s simply a matter of adding a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water or a neutral oil.
Nevertheless, there is a risk of stomach upset when ingested. We also suggest not using lemongrass if you have cats. Their self-grooming may increase the chances of a reaction if they ingest too much.
- Pleasant scent
- Easy to use
- Can be overpowering
- Lemongrass is a little costly
7. Vinegar Solution
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Avoid direct plant contact |
Using a simple 1:4 solution of vinegar and water cuts to the chase. White distilled varieties are the least expensive, and they will likely cause a dog to look elsewhere once they inhale the strong aroma. Nonetheless, you should avoid direct plant contact because of its acidity. You’ll also have to apply it frequently because of its volatility.
We suggest applying it in different spots for these same reasons, particularly on bricks or patio stones.
- Inexpensive
- Effective repellent
- Unsafe for plants
- Corrosive effects
8. Rubbing Alcohol Mixture
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Out of reach of pets |
A diluted rubbing alcohol mixture works similarly to vinegar by creating an intense scent that will keep dogs from your yard. Like many of our solutions, it must not be sprayed directly on pets because of its potential toxicity if ingested.
Since it’s water-based, you’ll have to reapply it after any precipitation.
- Inexpensive
- Strong scent for optimal repellency
- Volatile
- Disagreeable to some people
9. Citrus Water Spray
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Fair to moderate |
Placement: | Out of reach of pets |
You can use any kind of citrus essential oil, such as orange, lemon, or lime, and you only need a few drops. Many dogs and cats dislike the scent, making it an effective solution. However, it also depends on the sensitivity of the animal. Remember that citrus can cause stomach issues and skin irritation in pets.
The great thing about this solution is that you’ll likely find it pleasant and refreshing. Essential oils linger longer, too. Nonetheless, the reapplication advice still applies.
- Long-lasting
- Pleasing scent
- Potential toxicity if ingested
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10. Black Pepper Oil
Ease of Use: | Moderate |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Out of reach of pets |
Black pepper will likely cause the same reaction in a dog as it does for you if you get a good whiff of it. This one takes some prep. You’ll have to simmer a tablespoon of crushed black peppercorns in ½ cup of neutral oil for a few minutes and let it cool. Then, strain it. The solution is effective and will deter a curious pup. However, the oil can go rancid quickly unless you keep it in the fridge.
We suggest spraying it someplace inconspicuous where a dog can’t get near it. It can stain some surfaces. Black pepper can be irritating, so use it sparingly.
- Pungent smell
- More prep
- Short shelf life
- Staining properties
11. Chili-Black Pepper Oil
Ease of Use: | Moderate |
Effectiveness: | Moderate |
Placement: | Inconspicuous surfaces only |
This solution combines two effective ingredients to ramp up the repellency factor. Both work well on their own and together. You can follow the instructions for the black pepper oil and add a tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Be careful not to let the oil boil. It will release irritating fumes that you certainly don’t want in your house.
The chili adds a staining element to the mix, so be careful where you spray it. This mixture can also be irritating, so use it sparingly.
- Effective for most dogs
- Can stain some surfaces
- Careful prep necessary
12. Citrus Peels
Ease of Use: | Easy |
Effectiveness: | Fair |
Placement: | As needed, away from the house and out of reach of pets |
You can use any kind of citrus peel. We suggest tying the peels in a cheesecloth and hanging them near any trouble spots. The effectiveness depends on the animal’s natural aversion to these scents. It must be out of the reach of any pets because of the toxicity of citrus fruits when ingested.
We recommend placing it somewhere away from your home since it can attract other pests, such as ants and rodents.
- Simple solution
- Pleasing scent
- Citrus toxicity if ingested
- Possible pest attractant
How to Correct the Behavior
Dogs will mark their territory by peeing on things to let other dogs know they have already claimed them. Dogs may urinate on new areas that no other dog has visited or try to cover another dog’s scent with their own. While it’s a natural behavior, it can make for some stinky business. So, if you’re not a fan of smelling dog urine, try training your dog to decrease their marking tendencies.
Positive reinforcement is the best teacher, and giving a treat to your pup when they do what they’re supposed to do is a powerful motivator. Provide your dog with a space for them to go pee and reward them when they do. If they are trying to pee in other areas, direct their attention to the appropriate area and reward them when they use it. Crate training is also an effective way for your pet to learn to keep their space clean. It draws on their instincts not to soil the place where they sleep.
If you want to keep your dog (or neighborhood dogs) from your landscaping, a motion-sensor sprinkler will get the point across in no uncertain terms.
If you are curious about your pet’s behavior or are looking for training tips, your vet can help.
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Conclusion
A dog urine repellent is one way to get control of an unpleasant situation before it becomes a problem. Fortunately, you have several commercial options when it comes to repellents. However, sometimes commercial products aren’t the best solution for a persistent or extensive issue, so we provided you with some DIY options to try. While prevention is the best way to deal with it, if you need a one-off repellent, hopefully you’ll find that any of these mixtures will help.
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Featured Image Credit: ThamKC, Shutterstock
Contents
- The Top 12 Homemade Dog Pee Repellents
- 1. Citronella Oil
- 2. Sour Apple Essential Oil Spray
- 3. Hot Chili Powder
- 4. Cinnamon-Citrus Spray
- 5. Vinegar and Citrus Spray
- 6. Lemongrass-Peppermint Solution
- 7. Vinegar Solution
- 8. Rubbing Alcohol Mixture
- 9. Citrus Water Spray
- 10. Black Pepper Oil
- 11. Chili-Black Pepper Oil
- 12. Citrus Peels
- How to Correct the Behavior
- Conclusion