Rosemary, lavender, lemongrass, and lemon thyme are all known to deter animal visitors. Witz suggests planting additional marigolds or calendula (commonly known as pot marigold, although the two plants are not related) around your plants. Dogs usually find the pungent odor of marigolds unpleasant.
Sprinkle powdered mustard or red pepper flakes around your plants. A few sniffs and licks of these unpleasant tastes will discourage your dog from returning to the area.
For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach.
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
Citrus. The citrus smell is arguably the best dog repellent there is. You do not have to do a lot. Simply peel an orange or a lemon next to your dog and you will observe it leaving the spot immediately.
STOPS STOOL EATING – Cayenne pepper imparts an offensive taste to stop dogs from eating poop. BITTER TASTE – Glutamic acid makes stools taste very bitter to the dog when mixed with stomach acids. This combined with cayenne pepper act as natural stool eating deterrents.
Eucalyptus oil is used in aromatherapy to treat breathing problems (4). The smell of eucalyptus can be very overwhelming for dogs in both positive and negative ways. But all these benefits are for humans.
You can use vinegar to keep dogs away from your lawn by spraying it around the perimeter of the area you want to be canine-free. Dogs don't like the strong smell of vinegar and thus will be deterred by it.
These plants are safe for dogs, but will deter them from your garden as they dislike the smell: Marigolds or calendula. Lavender. Rosemary.
Thorny or prickly plants such as roses, cacti, pyracantha, barberry, rosemary, lavender, and juniper can deter dog traffic. Unpleasant Smells: Coleus canina, commonly known as Scaredy Cat, Dogs Be Gone, or Pee-Off Coleus, is thought to have a scent that dogs and cats don't like.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
5. Eucalyptus and Lavender. Eucalyptus and Lavender are great scents that can repel dogs. However, their essential oils are quite toxic to dogs.
To counteract dog smell, Bonk swears by baking soda. “Sprinkle baking soda onto fabrics that can't be washed, then let it set overnight,” she says. The following morning, wipe away excess baking soda with a wet cloth or paper towel. You can also vacuum it up depending on where it's sprinkled, like on carpet.
Diced-up dried or fresh rosemary is safe to add to your dog's food or water and can help support heart health and digestion. Be sure to only feed your dog a teaspoon or so as a treat—if your dog accidentally overeats this herb, the side effects may include indigestion and stomach upset.
Eucalyptus is toxic to dogs. According to Dr. Turner, "Ingestion of eucalyptus leaves may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness; however, in large quantities, it may also cause seizures" in dogs. The ASPCA also notes dogs who ingest eucalyptus can suffer from depression.
1. Citronella Oil. Dogs hate the smell of citronella, and trainers often use the oil in both collar and spray form to break aggressive behavior and persistent barking habits. In fact, just a whiff of citronella could very well keep your dog away from your garden.
Dogs can safely eat one or two fresh, plain mint leaves per day. However, feeding your dog mint leaves in excess may upset their digestive system. Stick to serving them a few small bites of mint occasionally, rather than regularly.
Since dogs have a very good sense of smell, the lavender oil should always be diluted, otherwise, it is too potent for any dog to enjoy. Although most dogs seem indifferent to the aromatic smell of lavender, some dogs appear to actually like it a lot even though it is quite rare.
A highly concentrated combination of vinegar and water – 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water – is effective enough to discourage dogs. Vinegar's sour taste can also prevent your pooch from chewing. Always use clear vinegar such as white vinegar. Apple cider vinegar that is mildly colored is also a good option.
A popular natural remedy is to use vinegar because it's a smell that dogs do not like. Apply liberally to the areas where dogs are fouling to keep them away. You can also slightly dilute vinegar and spray the area – try to do this at least once a week and more regularly if it's a serious issue.
Vinegar is anti-bacterial and anti-septic, killing germs and neutralizing the Ph. You can also use it for dog poo stains on your carpet. Let the solution soak into the carpet and leave it for a couple of minutes. Then use a towel and blot to clean it.