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Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell, and when they catch the scent of something they like it can be hard to call them back. Smell is how our canine companions navigate the world, helping them not only to find their way around and track down people or other animals, they also use it as a way to communicate with other animals and determine whether their surroundings are safe or not.
In day to day life, dogs will likely be more inclined to follow scents that excite them - tasty tidbits that may have fallen on the kitchen floor or the smell of another animal that may have snuck into the garden - but what smell do dogs hate? Are there any scents that can be used as deterrents to keep dogs away from unwanted areas?
We are going to take a closer look at what smell do dogs hate, and how these scents can be used in the home to deter dogs from unwanted behaviors such as scratching, digging or urinating.
So, what smell do dogs hate?
Vinegar is often used as a pup-safe cleaning agent around the home to remove strong smells that may have occurred during potty training. It can be used directly from the bottle or diluted with water to make the smell less pungent. But either way, using this product around the home will help keep your dog away from areas which they have previously soiled and deter them from doing it again.
The smell of oranges and lemons are often a favorite for home scents and cleaning products, and is usually a vibrant and refreshing aroma for humans. While not all dogs will be adverse to the smell of citrus fruits, it has been found that many pups are not a fan, and so citrus can be a safe and effective deterrent for dogs. Why not try filling a spray bottle with the fresh juice from a freshly cut citrus fruit, or diluting with water to make it go further - you can then spray this around the home to protect furniture and belongings.
It is important to note that due to the acidic nature of citrus fruit that they can irritate your dog’s respiratory tract, so use sparingly and do not continue to use it if your dog presents with adverse reactions.
Dogs also don’t like the smell of fresh garden herbs due to their particularly pungent aroma. Pups tend to find these strong smells unappetizing and will likely avoid areas where the smell lingers. Planting herbs around your garden can be an especially effective technique if your dog has proven themselves to be an enthusiastic digger.
While many of us will like to use essential oil diffusers around our home, these can be tricky when you have a dog. It has been found that due to the strong scent of the oils and a dog’s highly sensitive nose, the oils can actually cause an adverse behavioral effect in dogs, as well as respiratory issues and possible effects on the nervous system. Not to mention that certain essential oils are actually toxic to dogs - tea tree, cinnamon, peppermint, citrus and ylang ylang, to name a few.
Always consult your vet before bringing any essential oil diffusers into your home to ensure that you are using products that are safe for your dog to be around.
Alcohol is up there with dogs all time least favorite smells - they cannot bear it and will avoid any area in which alcohol may have been spilled or sprayed. Alcohol is a highly unnatural smell and so is very repellent to dogs; rubbing alcohol can be used in small amounts to clean areas where little accidents may have occurred, or as a general deterrent to encourage your dog not to pee in certain areas of the house.
Remember, dogs must not ingest alcohol, and so if you use alcohol as a cleaning agent be sure to keep your dog away from the area until it has fully evaporated.
Many of us love the cozy scent of warming spices around the festive seasons, however our dogs are not fans of these strong smells - chili peppers are also a source of disgust for the canine nose.
While some may use a solution of mixed spices and water as a doggy deterrent, spices and and chili peppers are often extremely irritant and even toxic to dogs, and so it is advised to always consult a veterinary professional for guidance on how best to use these ingredients as in-home deterrents, if at all.
While mothballs are usually used to repel insects and keep them from nibbling away at your favorite clothes, dogs are also not a fan of the smell of mothballs and it can help keep them away from certain areas.
A mothball can be placed in a room to help keep your dog away, however always ensure that the ball is well out of reach of your pup, as they are extremely poisonous if ingested.
Many of us will know that the pungent smell of coffee acts as quite the wake up call, and the grounds can be used as a way to deter dogs from exploring areas they shouldn’t.
Some dog owners have found that they can protect their plants from unwanted digging paws by sprinkling coffee grounds over the soil - as an added bonus, coffee grounds can aid in plant growth, so it’s a win-win!
The downside is that caffeine is very toxic to dogs, and so it is important to be sure that your dog won’t accidentally ingest the grounds and cause themselves harm.
General household cleaning products are often strong in smell and will be an extremely harsh and unnatural scent for sensitive puppy noses. Cleaning products are also highly poisonous if ingested by dogs, as well as posing the risk of being irritant and provoking adverse or more severe allergic reactions.
While it is okay to use cleaning products in a safe and recommended way around the home, they should not be used as deterrents to keep dogs away from areas of the house, as the risks are much greater than the rewards.
Canine safety around the home should be any pet parent’s top priority, and while there are many smells that dogs will find unappealing - peppermint, nutmeg, alcohol and nail polish, for example - not all unpleasant aromas should be used as dog repellents, as they can end up doing more harm that good.
Never ever spray your dog directly with a repellent, as this can not only make them anxious; it can be extremely harmful, causing skin irritation, respiratory distress or further allergic reactions.
Doing your research about natural dog-safe deterrents options or consulting with a veterinary professional will help you to determine the right course of action to keep your dog from peeing around the house or getting into things they shouldn’t.
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