This DIY Dog Deterrent Spray can help stop indoor accidents and keep your dogs from urinating in your home.
This fall, we added a new addition to our family. Nash (that cutie you see above), had just turned a year old, and we really felt like he needed a friend to play with. So we added Bentley to the mix. Nash and Bentley immediately became the best of friends and are the sweetest little brothers ever. The only problem...they are both male, and they both want to be the alpha male. That means that they have decided to mark their territory. It originally started outside, then recently, they have moved the party inside. I guess because it's been raining for over a month, they just aren't outside as much as they were.
These sweet little angels have been peeing on the trash can, on a random leg of our kitchen island, the front bench and also on my curtains. Finally after following them around, constantly cleaning everything for the past few weeks, I needed to figure some things out.
The first thing I did was thoroughly clean everything. I laundered the curtain they had decided to mark, and scrubbed the furniture and floors down with an enzymatic cleaner. There are certain cleaners that have enzyme removing agents in them that help keep the dogs from remarking the spot. At this point, I was willing to do anything to get them to stop. The next thing I did was make my own Dog Deterrent Spray. This spray has an orange scent that dogs don't really love, and I use it to keep them away from any objects (like my curtains) that I really want to protect. Bonus...it smells awesome!
What you will need:
1 ½ Cups of Water
2 Tablespoons of Distilled White Vinegar ( Purchase HERE)
20 Drops of Orange Essential Oil ( Purchase HERE )
Clean Spray Bottle ( Purchase HERE )
In case you need the Enzymatic Cleaner ( Purchase HERE )
Start by adding your water to the spray bottle.
Next, add 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar.
Finally, add 20 drops of orange essential oil.
Spray on any surface that you don't want your dog to get close to. Dogs don't care for the smell of vinegar or oranges, so using the two together really makes this spray work. It also leaves a nice, citrus scent in the air...win, win! I have been spraying it on my curtains that hang to the ground and around the areas that they were having accidents for about a week now, and it really seems to be working...YAY! I have to tell you...I was about to lose my mind. Y'all know what a clean freak I am, and I was really starting to think that living with peeing dogs was just going to be my life, but this stuff really works!
***BONUS*** If you have dogs the like to chew your furniture, then try this on a small area of the fabric or wood first, then spray away. Dogs don't like the smell of orange and vinegar, but they also won't like the bitter taste, so it will keep them from chewing your furniture.
Got cats? Check out my Cat Deterrent Spray to keep your cats from urinating in certain areas and scratching your furniture!
Check out all of my Cleaning Hacks and Home Tips HERE!
laura nickell says
Could you use lemon oil in place of the orange oil? Thank you!
Jessica says
You could definitely give it a try...our dogs don't seem to mind the smell of lemon for some reason. Hope this helps! xoxo
Kim says
my dogs love oranges so its a no go for me.
DH says
Same ..
Jasmine says
You can also use peppermint too. It’s nontoxic to dogs but deters them and also spiders
Diana says
I need a DEER deterrent! They like the buds and leaves of our corn and tomato plants. HELP, Please!!
Jessica says
Hi, Diana! I wish I had an easy answer for you, but unfortunately, I've never dealt with deer. Here is an article that I found that may be helpful...
Pam says
This works for us!
Danielle says
Irish spring soap, cut into little chunks put into cheese cloth and tie near and around your garden.
Danielle says
Irish spring soap, cut into little chunks put into cheese cloth and tie near and around your garden. Its non toxic and works for rabbits, mice and other vermin.
Jennifer M. says
Irish spring soap does not stop mice..we had it in our camper over the winter to keep mice away. The mice ate the chunks of soap. I would not recommend this for mice.
Cynthia Deeter says
Hi,
There animal deterrent sprays at Walmart you can buy. It works and smells bad. I use it around my flower beds.
Good luck.
Jan says
If you can get some hair from your hairdresser/barber when they sweep up put it in old stockings to make little "sachets" & place/hang around your garden. The human smell will determine them. My grandmother used to do this
Crystal Pettway says
Go to your local barbershop,ask them for the hair they've swept up. Very strong human(predator) scent will usually keep them away.
Peggy says
Human Hair spread around flowers and plants keep deer away, it's amazing!
Denise says
Human hair will deter the deer. Go to your local hair salon and ask for the cut hair( bring a bag ) spread it out along the area that you don’t want them to go. They will smell the hair and stay away.
Sheila Cobb says
I find coyote urine holds off the deer. Home Depot carries it in some states. I was able to find it in CT.
Sue says
Try Bobbex. Its a deer repellent that works. Or make your own from rotten eggs and sour milk. Let it ferment them dilute it with water and spray everything. Non toxic. The smell to us goes away but you must spray after every rainfall
Brenda Taylor Johnson says
You can purchase Liquid Fence to keep deer away. I buy it in the concentrate form. It smells at first like rotten eggs but when dry no odor to humans. It will last for a few rain falls but must be applied again if you have lots of rain. I also have made up my homemade batch of liquid fence from a recipe I saw on “This Old House”. Google “Deer Repellant, This Old House” to get the recipe. It takes time to make this homemade batch of deer repellant but saves you money. I make a big batch using a “covered five gallon bucket” which is required so it will mature in strength taking about two weeks time as required. I live on five acres in SC and we have lots of deer in our area. This deer relevant works for me but you have to spray often to keep the deer away. Good luck!
No more deers says
Geraniums are Deer Deterrent: plants and/or essential oils :)
Kathy says
Thanks for the great idea.
Another long-term "fix", and healthier dogs. Have them neutered. They won't feel the need to roam, reducing the risk of getting lost, injured or worse, and it decreases the risk of cancer. Check with your Vet.
Kaysie says
Actually that only helps some times, my 2 month old puppy was fixed before I ever brought him home, as he was a rescue and that was the shelters policy. He still marks his territory in my living room when my dad's girlfriend brings her dog around. It depends on the breed and how stubborn the breed can be.
Liberty Wilson says
Too, too true. My bichon-poo and chihuahua min pin have not been deterred. Or maybe they have. Maybe they would have been worse.
Pam says
Coukd this be used on carpet?
Farrah Jafari says
How much of the enzymatic cleanser should I use if following the above directions? Thanks in advance
Katrina says
Does this also work on rugs/all rug types? We just rescued a puppy and she is literally chewing on all our furniture and rugs. Will give this a try and hopefully it really deters her from biting!
C Todd says
My puppy did the same chew up my couch and everything else ,I did the next best thing rescued an another little dog and now no more furniture being chewed up ,the reason for all this they are bored and they need to spend this energy ,when I got this new pup it helped ,I just wished I would have known this before my couch was tore up Another way to stop him get a small spray bottle filled with water and spritz him that will stop him from chewing I use this too I have company to stop him from jumping on your friends hand the spritz to them and as soon as they spray the jumping stops does not hurt and stops annoying my Company. I hope this helps
Edie W says
Wrap furniture legs in aluminum foil. They won’t like the taste of that. Maybe spray a touch of vinegar on the foil.
Myra says
My dog chews aluminum foil. It'a also a health hazard.
Amanda says
Is there a reason you didn't use Nature's Miracle as the enzymatic cleaner? That's what we have on hand and wondering if you've found the cleaner you recommend to work better. Also, do you need to use a glass spray bottle for essential oils? This is great advice! We just added a female dog to our household and our male has been marking the place up everytime I clean the carpet!
Vicki says
How often do I need to spray your formula? We have a 12 week old puppy! He’s doing ok, but could be better! Thanks!
Jo says
May this be used on area rugs safely? Have new rugs and don't want to damage them!
trishna says
Hey plz help me..i was searching for dog pee repellent as he pee inside..plz help
Jennifer B says
Hi Jessica
What I'm about to say may be silly but I'm new, never had a pet before owner so stick with me, please. Our puppy will spend hours outside with my husband in the courtyard or go for walks however 30 seconds in the house he pees on the tiles. It's driving us mad but we are not getting angry & try all the suggestions of friends, the trainer, the vet & websites without any success. I will try our recipe though I want to puppy the be able to use the back room where the tiles are if I spray where he is toileting he won't want to be in the room, will he?
All assistance from you & your readers would be very much appreciated.
Jessica says
Hi, Jennifer! Oh do I ever feel your pain on this one. Our first puppy, Nash was so good about never using the potty inside, but our second, Bentley...not so much. I use this to keep him away from certain areas, but if he smells his urine there from before, he will think it's ok. Make sure to clean the area he is using really well, and use this spray. Let me know if it works for you!! Good luck!
Karen says
I just wanted to know how often to use the homemade doggie deterrent.
Marie says
Will the spray leave a residue that will attract dirt and dust?
Jessica says
It doesn't for me :)
Monica Guzman says
Hi I have 5 little schnoodle mixes 3 males and 2 females. They at times het i to this mood of urinating eveywhere inside the hous see. Wetting the beds all over the room. Its just at times because they are usually pretty goos at going outside. What can I do to stop this. Iwe are almost daily washing beds and blankets they use and its exhausting.
Pmease any advice or remedies that are effective.
Thank you
Kristi Gardner says
I have the exact same issue. Rescued Scnauzer that all of a sudden pees absolutely everywhere multiple times a day, even when I personally take her outside or help with the doggy door lots and lots. Then every once in a while she also adds #2. I literally cant clean my house because I am running after this dog or cleaning up the mess. Took her to the vet, ran every test in the world - no diabetes, no infections. Determined behavioral. and then, poof no accidents for a week or so, Just to let you know, I had to put diapers on her at night - but they leak. I am at my wits end. I have even considered euthenasia, that's when the problem goes away for a while. She's 17 years old. Maybe she is senile. ANYWAY, super long story short. I am trying this out of desperation. I have tile floors and some carpeted floors. I have just ordered an enzimatic cleaner called Rocco and Roxie, expensive, but highly rated, come with very good reviews, instructions and claims to even clean the padding underneath. Gonna clean with this first and then I am going to try this spray every day until I can see a result. I will let you know how it works. If the remedy is effective and how many times day I am chasing after my little ol' lady. She is a stubborn little stinker, for sure.
Ann Marie says
Have you used it on laminate or hard wood floors?
Jessica says
I wouldn't spray any liquid on laminate or hard wood floors because it could warp them. I just spray on carpet and fabric.
Myra says
I've used it on sealed hardwood. It's been okay, but I'm sure any kind of liquid is eventually not good for hardwood.
Marissa Doggins says
I have an older dog n lately shes started urinating all over the carpet? I need a fix for her? What will deter her from doing this?Thanks in advance!
April Thompkins says
Hello, your list of "what you'll need" includes Enzymatic spray, but is that only to clean areas ahead of time that have been soiled? I am getting ready to replace an area rug that my dogs have chewed several times over the years. I'd like to spray the new rug right away to keep them from fussing it. In this case I won't need an enzymatic spray, correct? Thanks!
Jessica says
Correct...the enzymatic spray is to remove the previous urine smells.
April says
This is fantastic... Thank you! I figured there has to be something better than just the enzyme cleaner that could be used indoors to deter this little newbie (1 year old rescue) from peeing inside. Working with a trainer and using a crate, but I would like to speed up her reaching successful potty training. She is driving us bonkers.... especially with all the rain we have had this week (NC).
Lori Wagner says
I read that orange essential oil is toxic for dogs when diffused or ingested. Is this safe because of the dilution? Also, how often can I or need to repeat? I'm at my wits end with potty training.
Thank you!
DEBORAH FORTSON says
Can ammonia be substituted for the distilled white vinegar?
Susie says
I would say NO That is very harsh
Anne Thomas says
My dog barks. I need something to spray him with when he won’t stop barking, water doesn’t work anymore.
Melissa says
Thank you for saving my sanity and my rugs! This smells great but my puppy is now not attempting to kill my carpet!
Shannon says
We recently adopted a 1 year old sweet adorable loving medium size mix breed dog from a shelter. Unfortunately she is going pee on the carpet in our bedroom. I am able to get the urine/smell cleaned.
I am looking for something that would deter her from wanting to pee on the carpet.
Would this mixture work if I sprayed it on all of the carpet in the bedroom?
Her kennel is in the bedroom and she sleeps with us so I’m not sure what to do.....uhhh! If I catch her going pee I immediately correct her but she can be sneaky!!
Open to suggestions!!
Thank you
💗Stay happy
💗Stay healthy
Chauntelle says
My dogs love love oranges
Rochelle Sanders says
Hi Jessica,
I’ve heard that citric oil essences can be toxic to dogs. Is this true of your formula? Since it is being sprayed vs ingested I would think not, but I just wanted to be sure.
Theresa Chambers says
I was wondering about this as well??
VICTORIA A LAMOND says
My puppies I think are marking the territory. 2 males and 2 females un-neutered. My son wants to breed them. Any suggestions?
Mickey says
Hi old friend,,,,lol What does this work for? THe hair thing? We just got a new puppy....
Sage says
Love how simple this recipe is! I'm always looking for more natural ways to clean my home because I don't want to use anything that could be toxic to my kids or dog. I recently hired upholstery cleaners to give my couch a deep clean, and it looks and smells so much better. Now, I'm determined to keep the dog smell away! I will definitely be trying this recipe out!