Dogs have a very strong sense of smell, with over 200 million scent receptors compared to humans’ 5 million. This makes their sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than humans! Given their remarkable olfactory abilities, dogs rely heavily on smell to understand their environment. Certain smells naturally deter dogs from eliminating their waste in particular areas. Understanding what scents dogs dislike can help pet parents potty train and housebreak their canine companions.
What Scents Do Dogs Dislike?
Dogs have a far more sensitive sense of smell than humans, so many odors that seem mild or imperceptible to us can be quite off-putting or even intolerable to dogs. Here are some of the main smells dogs try to avoid when seeking places to relieve themselves:
Citrus
Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruit, or limes have naturally tart, zesty scents that dogs find unpleasant. The acidic oils released by citrus peels can irritate dogs’ highly reactive noses. Many commercial dog repellents and training aids use citrus extracts for this reason. Concentrated lemon or orange scents tend to be most effective at discouraging dogs from urinating in an area.
Vinegar
Like citrus, vinegar has an acidic, sour smell that dogs strongly dislike. White distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be applied diluted or undiluted to areas where you want to deter dog peeing. The potent vinegary odor overwhelms dogs’ sensitive nostrils, causing them to avoid the area. Be sure to test vinegar-treated surfaces for colorfastness before widespread use.
Ammonia
Ammonia has a powerful, pungent scent that irritates canine nasal passages. While ammonia’s chemical makeup is similar to urine, its odor is stronger than normal pee smells. Dogs avoid eliminating around harsh ammonia fumes. However, ammonia should be used cautiously for potty training, since its urine-like scent may draw dogs to pee there.
Menthol
Menthol smells cooling and medicinal to humans but intensely bitter and unpleasant for dogs. Many dog repellent sprays contain menthol extracts for this reason. The cooling vapor effects further exacerbate menthol’s nose-tingling potency. Dogs will go out of their way to avoid areas that smell strongly of menthol.
Peppermint Oil
Like menthol, concentrated peppermint oil has a piercing minty aroma that dogs find extremely distasteful. In fact, many canine repellent products contain both menthol and peppermint oil for maximum effectiveness. Dogs tend to vacate areas after detecting even faint traces of diffused peppermint. Some dogs may be more sensitive to mint than others.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol gives off a medicinal, antiseptic odor from its high ethanol content. These fumes can sting sensitive dog noses and overwhelm olfactory receptors. Many pet parents apply diluted rubbing alcohol around furniture or door frames to keep dogs away. However, rubbing alcohol can dull some finishes, so test on an inconspicuous spot first.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus has a sweet, woodsy, menthol-like scent that dogs strongly dislike. The vaporous eucalyptus oil can cause nasal irritation in canines when diffused. This plant-based essential oil is often added to commercial dog repellent sprays and liquids for deterrent effects. Avoid spraying it directly at dogs, as ingestion can be toxic.
Pine Oil
Pine-scented cleaners and disinfectants contain pine oil, which has a strong, pungent odor. Dogs are averse to concentrated pine smells. Pine oil is sometimes added to dog repellent formulations, but should be used cautiously and properly diluted. Excess inhalation can be harmful to pets. Test any pine oil-based deterrents in well-ventilated areas first.
Cinnamon Oil
Potent cinnamon oil gives off a hot, spicy, sweet aroma that dogs strongly dislike. The vapor tends to overwhelm canine nasal passages. Since cinnamon oil may irritate skin and mucous membranes, it should be used lightly and properly diluted. Avoid spraying cinnamon oil mixtures directly at pets.
Bitter Apple Spray
This popular anti-chew and deterrent spray uses bitter apple extracts to create an intensely tart, unpleasant flavor and smell for dogs. The bitter apple odor provides an aversive stimulus, causing most dogs to avoid areas where it has been applied. Bitter apple sprays are safer for use around pets compared to some other repellents.
Why Do These Smells Repel Dogs?
Dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they rely heavily on olfactory cues to interpret their environments. Scent exposure and marking are also key parts of canine communication. Certain smells likely deter dogs from eliminating in particular areas for several reasons:
Nasal Discomfort
Many repellent odors noted above, like citrus, vinegar, menthol, eucalyptus, and pine oils, have naturally potent scents that can overwhelm dogs’ highly sensitive nasal cavities. The harsh vapors cause stinging, irritation, and nasal overload for dogs, signaling it’s best to avoid.
Aversion Association
Over time, dogs can develop negative associations with scents they find unpleasant. For example, if a dog repeatedly encounters an ammonia-like odor right before getting in trouble for accidents indoors, they will learn to avoid that smell. Dogs are incredibly perceptive about linking experiences with odors.
Scent Communication
Dogs use their own urine and feces to convey information about health, social status, and territory. Harsh artificial scents like citrus or vinegar can mask or distort dogs’ natural olfactory messages in specific areas, making them less inclined to eliminate there.
Toxicity Fears
Certain potent essential oils like pine or cinnamon can be toxic to dogs if ingested. Dogs likely learned over generations to avoid areas smelling strongly of these substances, since the scents signified a toxicity risk. This innate avoidance helps protect dogs from accidental poisoning.
How to Use Smells Dogs Hate to Deter Peeing
Leveraging scents dogs dislike is an easy, natural way to steer them away from eliminating in off-limits areas indoors or out. Here are some tips for using repellent smells effectively:
Focus on Problematic Zones
Don’t diffuse repellents all across your home or yard, as this can confuse dogs about where is acceptable to go potty. Instead, target specific areas your dog keeps urinating on indoors or out. Monitor your dog’s habits and respond accordingly.
Apply Lightly
Use repellent scents in moderation. Strong excess fumes could irritate your pet’s nose, eyes, and skin or unintentionally spread the smell to allowed potty places. A light application around furniture legs or door frames is usually sufficient.
Reapply Periodically
Effects wear off over time, so reapply deterrent scents every few days or weekly to maintain potency. More frequent light reapplication works better than heavy over-application. Factor in variables like weather, ventilation, and foot traffic that dissipate smells.
Remove Pet Urine Odors
Thoroughly clean up accidents with an enzymatic pet odor neutralizer. Any lingering urine scents can draw dogs back to the same spots to pee again. Removing pet odor residues is key for effective deterrent use.
Supervise Your Dog
When first using repellents, monitor your dog closely. Look for any signs of stress or irritation from the smells. Ensure your dog has acceptable alternative elimination areas available as well.
Use Together With Positive Reinforcement
Deterrent sprays alone won’t fully potty train your dog. Also actively reward your dog with treats and praise for going in designated appropriate places. A balanced approach is most effective.
Natural Homemade Dog Urine Repellent Recipes
You can make economical, non-toxic urine repellents for dogs at home using common household ingredients:
Vinegar Spray
– 2 cups white vinegar
– 2 cups water
– 15-20 drops essential oil like lemon, orange, or peppermint (optional)
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Lightly spray on off-limit areas about once a week or as needed. The vinegar provides a potent unappealing scent, while the essential oil adds extra nasal discomfort and deterrent effects.
Lemon Juice Spray
– 1 cup lemon juice
– 1 cup water
– 15 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray lightly around furniture, doorways, or outdoor areas you want to protect. The acidity and strong citrusy aroma discourage urination. Adding a bit of lemon essential oil boosts the lemon scent.
Bitter Apple Spray
– 2 tbsp bitter apple extract
– 2 cups water
– 1/4 cup white vinegar
Mix bitter apple extract with water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist sparingly on fabrics, carpets, drapes, woodwork, and other surfaces prone to dog peeing. The combined bitter and sour scents repel dogs.
Tips for Dogs Who Won’t Stop Peeing Inside
If your dog keeps urinating indoors even after using repellent sprays, they may need additional potty training reinforcement:
– Stick to a consistent daily pee/poop schedule with regular outdoor trips. Praise and treat for going outside.
– Restrict access to rooms or areas the dog repeatedly pees in. Use baby gates or close doors to limit access when you can’t supervise.
– Accompany your dog outdoors on a leash, then reward them immediately after they finish peeing/pooping.
– Look for sneaky “trigger” cues like room layouts, furnishings, or flooring textures that prompt indoor peeing. Limit access or rearrange triggers.
– Thoroughly clean all past accident locations with an enzymatic odor neutralizer to remove scent cues. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners.
– Visit your vet to rule out underlying medical issues like urinary tract infections or incontinence causing the accidents.
– Consider professional training help for stubborn potty training issues, like private lessons or board and train programs.
– Be patient! For some dogs, indoor potty habits can take weeks or months to fully break. Consistency is key.
Conclusion
Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell, so scents that irritate their noses act as natural deterrents for eliminating in particular areas. Many odors like citrus, pine, menthol, vinegar, and essential oils have repellent properties that discourage dogs from urinating nearby. While smells dogs dislike can help redirect potty behaviors, be sure to use repellents safely and strategically. Combine with positive reinforcement of appropriate potty areas for best results. With time and consistency, even dogs who frequently pee inside can learn to exclusively eliminate outdoors.