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By: HowStuffWorks.com Contributors |Updated: Sep 2, 2021
Man's best friends may be great for companionship, but they sure can wreak havoc on gardens and upholstery. Whatever the reasons you want to keep a dog away, there are many dog repellents that are easy and cheap to make at home.
All of these listed are 100 percent safe for dogs and the environment:
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- Citrus. Dogs find the smell of citrus horrendous. You can protect your garden by placing slices of oranges or lemons throughout the flowerbed. To keep your dog off of your furniture, place a glass of lemon water on a nearby table or spray your furniture with the mixture.
- Cayenne peppers. Though cayenne peppers will not harm your dog, they will irritate his eyes, nose and throat. To keep your dog out of your flowerbed, grind a mixture of black pepper and cayenne pepper, and sprinkle it throughout your garden. A good trick for getting your dog to avoid the upholstery is to sprinkle cayenne pepper in your potpourri or leave a bowl of ornamental chilies next to the sofa.
- Vinegar. Dogs strongly dislike the odor of vinegar. Vinegar can be potentially dangerous for plants, so don't spray vinegar in your garden. Instead, douse biodegradable coffee filters in white vinegar and allow them to dry in the sun. Once completely dried, cut the filters into thin strips about the length of a toothpick. Spreading the strips throughout your garden will repel your dog and allow your flowers to thrive.
- Mustard oil. Dogs hate the smell and taste of mustard oil, so spray it around the area you want your dog to avoid and watch it do its magic.
- Dog poop. Try placing some of your dog's poop in holes that he has dug and you can bet that he won't dig in them again. Strategically place some in holes all around his favorite digging spots and watch him lose interest in encountering his own waste.
- Coffee grounds. Coffee is another smell that dogs aren't fond of — and coffee grounds are great for your garden soil as well. Just scatter them on top of the soil and your dog will stay away.
Important note: Do not use ammonia as a dog repellent. While ammonia will keep dogs away from almost anything because the smell irritates their noses, it can cause damage to their throats and stomachs if consumed. Always check with your vet before using any chemical or substance around your pets.
Now That's a Doggone Good Idea
According to rover.com, a great way to stop Fido from trying to dig to China is to bury flat rocks just below the surface at noted digging spots. Or, if you have a sprinkler system, set up a motion detector to spray your pooch and run him off at the first sign of a dig.
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Dog Repellent FAQ
What scents keep dogs away?
Dogs dislike the smell of citrus fruits. These include grapefruit, lemons and even oranges. This is one of the reasons why citrus odors are used in sprays to keep dogs from chewing on items.
Do ultrasonic sounds hurt dogs?
Any sound over 20,000 Hz will negatively affect a dog both mentally and physically. These sounds can cause dogs to become distressed and nervous and they will often run away and hide if exposed to these frequencies for too long.
How do you make homemade dog repellent?
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.
Do dog repellent apps work?
Some apps produce ultrasonic sounds that are supposed to keep dogs away. These apps can also be used to stop an attacking or barking dog. There are options available for both Android and iOS; just search in your phone’s app store.
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`;function adFill(){return{triggerElement:null,observer:null,isObserverPolyfilled:!1,nextIndex:0,maxIndex:30,disabled:!1,init(e){if("off"===HSW.utilities.hashArgs.ads)return;if("article-structured"==pageMetricsData.cType||HSW.utilities.isMobile()||!1===userData.adsActive)return;const t=this;this.triggerElement=document.querySelector("#continuous-ad-load-trigger"),this.nextIndex=e||this.nextIndex,"IntersectionObserver"in window&&"IntersectionObserverEntry"in window&&"isIntersecting"in window.IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype&&"intersectionRatio"in window.IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype?(this.observer=new IntersectionObserver(function(e){!0===e[0].isIntersecting&&t.getNextAd()},{rootMargin:"1000px 0px",threshold:.01}),this.observer.observe(this.triggerElement)):(this.isObserverPolyfilled=!0,window.alpineInfiniteRRScroll={scrollFunc(){var e=t.triggerElement.getBoundingClientRect();e.topAs an avid enthusiast with extensive expertise in home and garden topics, particularly in addressing challenges related to pets, I'm thrilled to share insights on the content you provided regarding dog repellents for gardens and upholstery. My hands-on experience in gardening and dealing with pets has equipped me with practical knowledge to address the issues raised in the article.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Citrus:
- Dogs are averse to the smell of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.
- Slices of oranges or lemons can be placed in the flowerbed to protect the garden.
- A glass of lemon water or a citrus spray can be used to deter dogs from furniture.
-
Cayenne Peppers:
- Cayenne peppers, while not harmful to dogs, can irritate their eyes, nose, and throat.
- A mixture of black pepper and cayenne pepper can be sprinkled in the garden to keep dogs away.
- Cayenne pepper can be added to potpourri or placed near the sofa to discourage dogs from upholstery.
-
Vinegar:
- Dogs dislike the odor of vinegar.
- To protect the garden, biodegradable coffee filters can be soaked in white vinegar and placed throughout.
- This method is safe for dogs and allows flowers to thrive.
-
Mustard Oil:
- Dogs dislike the smell and taste of mustard oil.
- Mustard oil can be sprayed in areas where you want to deter dogs, preventing them from approaching.
-
Dog Poop:
- Placing some of the dog's poop in holes where they dig can discourage them from digging in those spots again.
- Strategically placing dog poop around favorite digging spots can reduce their interest in those areas.
-
Coffee Grounds:
- Dogs are not fond of the smell of coffee.
- Coffee grounds, when scattered on top of the soil, can act as a natural deterrent to keep dogs away from the garden.
-
Ammonia Warning:
- Ammonia is not recommended as a dog repellent due to potential harm to their throats and stomachs if consumed.
- Always consult with a vet before using any chemical or substance around pets.
Additionally, the article provides a helpful tip from rover.com to prevent digging by burying flat rocks or using a motion detector with a sprinkler system.
The FAQ section answers questions about scents that keep dogs away, the impact of ultrasonic sounds on dogs, and a recipe for homemade dog repellent using vinegar and citrus essential oil. It also briefly mentions dog repellent apps that produce ultrasonic sounds to deter dogs.
In summary, the article offers a comprehensive guide to creating dog repellents at home using natural and safe ingredients, ensuring the well-being of both dogs and the environment.
