Dog urine, because of its hormone, enzyme, and ammonia composition has a fairly unpleasant smell. It is not exactly like smelling some fresh new roses!
Moreover, the urine odor gets worse and is also difficult to remove, especially from carpets. Dogs usually have a tendency to find favorite spots to urinate in the house if they are not properly toilet trained and keep returning to the same places as they are lured by the smell.
While training your dog to urinate outside is absolutely mandatory right from its puppy stage, certain home remedies also work with repellents being used. But first clean the soiled areas well before applying any solution on the carpet, because dogs have a tendency to use the same places that retain the urine odor.
Recommended Cleaning Techniques
Using commercial repellents
Spray the repellent generously to eliminate the smell of urine. Most commercial repellents come in the form of sprays, containing different chemicals or even cayenne pepper, the pungent odor of which dogs hate and tend to avoid.
If the carpet is already soiled, clean it with vinegar or an enzymatic cleaner, then allow the carpet to be allowed to dry. Spray any repellent generously and keep reapplying so that the smell puts him off and he stays away from the carpet for good.
Rubbing alcohol
Mix rubbing alcohol and water in equal proportions and spray it on the carpet. Isopropyl alcohol is a marvelous disinfectant with powerful antibacterial properties. Moreover, its powerful odor wages war on the dog’s olfactory senses. Keep reapplying the mixture every week or after carpet cleaning session.
Using ammonia
A grand way to keep your canine away from carpets for life. This is often the last resort. The sheer strength of ammonia smell will make his eyes water and scare him off carpets. In addition, you could take some ammonia in a small test tube and get him to sniff at it. The blast of the smell is bound to work. So keep spraying ammonia-water mixture over the carpet and he’ll stay out of bounds.
Organic Cleaning Suggestions
White vinegar
A mixture of vinegar and water is also a quick solution because vinegar not only cleans but removes urine odor effectively. Canines are allergic to acetic acid smell and will avoid areas that are sprayed with this solution. The solution should be half water and half vinegar. Spray the solution so that it covers the entire area, particularly in those patches where he loves urinating.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another salient odor remover – Going green never smelled so fresh!
Mix freshly squeezed or commercial lemon juice with water and spray or sprinkle it all over the carpet. You will find the smell pleasant but your dog won’t. The natural citric acid will keep him at bay and remove stains and odor from the carpet.
Use Your Words
Voice commands
A simple voice command like, “get off that carpet,” as soon as he steps on it will also work. This should start early as part of his training and he’ll soon know that he’s to stay away from carpets. It’s like training him not to enter the kitchen or a certain bedroom.
Be firm but gentle with your dog. Remember, the dog is not as smart as you. And do not allow any of your friends or anyone else to give your dog orders since that could confuse your dog.