Dogs are very territorial animals that like you Mark territory. However, this can quickly test our patience, especially when the four-legged friends pee on valuable and sensitive objects.
Of course it is ideal if you have your four-legged friend educational can make you change your behavior. But this is not always possible – especially when it comes to an fforeign animal “visitor” acts on the property.
Then it is very tempting practical and inexpensive home remedies to use. But which ones are suitable for use against dog markings? And which ones can potentially be dangerous for your four-legged friend?
9 effective & gentle home remedies for dog markings
1. lavender
Against many four-legged friends lavender A good home remedy: Many dogs don't like the intense smell, but at the same time the plant is completely harmless and non-toxic.
To prevent a dog from marking a spot, you can, for example: Lavender bushes in pots plant. For this you need a location that is as sunny and protected as possible. Otherwise you can too Lavender oil help that you let drip across the floor. Powder dissolved in water is another relatively inexpensive option.
But be careful: Not every four-legged friend has an aversion to lavender, on the contrary. Sometimes they even love the smell, That's why the anxiety and stress-relieving scented plant is occasionally used in aromatherapy.
2. Citrus fruits
Also Citrus fruits are a popular way to stop dogs from marking: orange, lemon or grapefruit are very acidic and have a smell that is repellent to most four-legged friends.
Also interesting: This fruit also has odor neutralizing properties, So you can kill two birds with one stone. The dog stays away from the areas and at the same time the smell of urine disappears.
This home remedy is often used mixed with water in a ratio of 1:4. But essential oils are also promising, for example orange or lemon oil.
3. Vinegar
Another classic in the field of gentle dog marking control is Vinegar. The pungent smell of this cheap and widely available remedy often makes four-legged friends avoid it even from a greater distance. When sniffed closely, the acids also irritate the mucous membranes, which is why most dogs run away at the latest.
Homemade vinegar and lemon mixture
A very simple and even more promising solution is a Vinegar and citric acid mixture. You will need a 100 milliliter bottle for this
- 30 milliliters of vinegar
- 20 milliliters of lemon juice and
- 50 milliliters of water.
Instead of lemon juice, you can alternatively use 20 to 25 drops orange or lemon essential oil to use.
The easiest and most effective way is to pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and then distribute generously over the areas that should not be marked. For lasting success it is recommended to use this application to be repeated about once a day.
Furthermore, it is also possible small bowls of vinegar Spread over the garden and terrace: The repellent effect varies greatly from place to place, but the smell lasts longer.
4. pepper
Also pepper is a natural repellent against dogs: cayenne pepper in particular has proven effective against markings.
The spice is basically non-toxic for four-legged friends, but is very off-putting:
- Does the dog smell him? it irritates the mucous membranes and may lead to sneezing attacks. He remembers this and usually stays away from the spot in the future.
- If the dog even puts the spice in its mouth, it will have done so for the first and last time, because the taste buds are then irritated to the extreme.
Pepper is usually distributed as ground powder. It's best to make sure that when you scatter it calm otherwise the spice can be blown away before it has spread and settled.
5. chili
Similar to pepper also works chili repulsive to dogs. However, it is not usually scattered as a powder, but rather grain by grain.
This means that the effect is comparatively long-lasting, even in bad weather. Compared to pepper, chili is ordinary a little more expensive.
6. Motion detector
But there are also “home remedies” that do not irritate the four-legged friends’ sense of smell or taste. Many homeowners then have, for example Motion detectors had good experiences.
As soon as a dog enters an area “unauthorized,” an “alarm” is triggered, so to speak. Depending on your taste, certain ones can be used mechanisms are set in motion, which disturb the four-legged friend and often drive him away.
These can be, for example, the following methods
- Headlights in the dark
- Ultrasonic tones
- Sprinkler systems (water cannons).
However, this solution also has the disadvantage that it works not only on dogs, but also on dogs also triggered in humans – if you want to take out the trash in the morning, for example, it can also happen that you accidentally become a “victim” of your anti-dog device. This could also drive away some beneficial insects.
Compared to other options, these designs are also comparatively expensive.
7. Unpleasant ground
Dogs prefer to run on flat ground – which is why they like to mark their favorite spots on earthy or sealed ground. If you are bothered by the fact that a four-legged friend repeatedly urinates on your property, it can help to change the nature of the surface.
In certain cases it is therefore helpful, for example a Floor grid or grating to be inserted into the underground. These solutions have an extremely unpleasant effect on the dog's paws: the pads become irritated, so the four-legged friends prefer to look for other places to mark.
Also gravel or stones work against many four-legged friends. The disadvantage of these solutions is not only the comparatively high price: the nature of the subsoil is also changed, meaning that it can only be used to a limited extent for gardening, for example. Of course, the floor is also uncomfortable for you when you walk barefoot.
8. Horse manure
Some also swear by it Horse manure: It has a very dominant smell that drives away dog markings and causes many four-legged friends to prefer to set their territory elsewhere.
This solution is very interesting for the gardeners among you because horse manure has a excellent fertilizer gives away. However, it could be critical for pets, as the manure can also contain parasites – the dog should therefore be dewormed regularly.
If the horse manure doesn't have a deterrent effect and the dog wants to sniff it or even eat it, then it's best to take action immediately. Occasionally this feces also contains larger quantities Drug excretionthat could be dangerous for dogs.
9. Against intruders: Better fencing
Should you try your To protect the property against dogs from outsidehowever, the best measure is still one better fencing. The most effective way to keep intruders away is to know your garden's weak points and then take action:
- If dogs dig their way onto your property, it may make sense to have the boundaries sealed with a layer of cement, for example.
- Check regularly to see if there are any holes or gaps in the fence.
- Natural boundaries such as hedges or thorns – which are often painful for four-legged friends – can also help.
- Make sure your fence is at an appropriate height and also take into account possible elevations from which dogs could “trick” your barriers.
5 home remedies that help against dogs, but are still less suitable
There are also other home remedies that are considered very effective by homeowners. These often also help to combat the problem of markings – However, I wouldn't recommend it or only very limited.
Although they are effective, they can be dangerous for your four-legged friends. Especially if you want to protect your walls and corners from your own dog, I would advise against these.
1. Mothballs
Mothballs have a very strong smell that neutralizes other aromas excellently. They have long been more than just an insider tip among homeowners who want to protect their property from annoying four-legged friends.
The idea is to open a ball and scatter the contents over the area to be protected. The use of whole balls is often recommended in the home.
The catch: Mothballs are usually highly poisonous. They contain that Neurotoxin pyrethrum or derivatives of the substance, they are therefore extremely dangerous for dogs, other pets and children. For this reason I would rather stay away from it.
2. coffee grounds
Also coffee grounds is often recommended: It neutralizes odors, binds urine and is so unpopular with many dogs' noses that their four-legged friends prefer to give it a wide berth.
However, if the dog still becomes curious, this home remedy can also be dangerous. Coffee grounds often contain residues of caffeine, which could then be eaten by the animal. Unfortunately, dogs lack the enzyme to sufficiently break down this substance, so there is a latent problem here too Danger of poisoning – especially if you distribute the brew very tightly.
3. peppermint
On the one hand is peppermint a medicinal plant that is also often used by dogs and can, among other things, have an anti-anxiety and stress-relieving effect. On the other hand, it also has a rather repulsive smell for dogs – especially when fresh.
This is mainly because peppermint essential properties has. In small quantities the plant is harmless to dogs, but if you try to prevent your four-legged friend from marking with large quantities, it can also be eaten cause nausea or even have a toxic effect.
4. alcohol
Also alcohol is a good odor neutralizer with disinfectant properties. Some people therefore consider it a good home remedy for dog markings. However, this is not without risks either, because dogs cannot tolerate the substance at all and often react with it life-threatening poisoningsif you accidentally ingest a little.
5. Baking soda & baking powder
Baking soda or baking powder also have odor-neutralizing properties. In small quantities they are harmless to four-legged friends, but in larger accumulations the substances can Digestive problems cause – I would therefore be very careful when using it.
Things you should definitely not do
Absolutely not Of course, you can use “home remedies” that can definitely injure or even kill dogs. These include nasty dog traps like Broken glass or Pesticides like rat poison. Also artificial fertilizer is something dogs definitely don't want to deal with…