When it comes to things dogs love, its safe to say that most enjoy going for walks, eating chicken, getting belly rubs, and chasing squirrels. Sure, there are exceptions, but these truths apply to most dogs. Similarly, there is general agreement around what dogs dont like. At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs cant stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Heres why â plus, how to use their dislike of citrus to your advantage.
If your dog dislikes the smell of these acidic fruits, it may be possible to use the scent or juice of them as a deterrent. For a DIY solution, mix concentrated lemon juice with water in a spray bottle. Or, pick up a pre-made dog repellent spray. With some patience and thoughtful training, you can use citrus to help train your dog to stay away from places (or things) you donât want them to chew or access.
To be fair, a small percentage of dogs actually like citrus â they consider these flavors to be the icing on the cake, so to speak, and are even more likely to go after any object covered with such an odor. (Maybe this is natureâs way of preventing any of us from ever feeling confident that we know whats going on with our pups.)Related article
Karen B. London, Ph.D., is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in working with dogs with serious behavioral issues, including aggression, and has also trained other animals including cats, birds, snakes, and insects. She writes the animal column for the Arizona Daily Sun and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University. She is the author of six books about training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainerâs World View Can Improve Your Life.
To see how your dog feels about citrus, peel a messy orange so that your hands are covered with the sticky juice; then, put your fingers near your dogâs nose. If they back away, making an ugh face, then youâve got a member of the citrus-hating majority. If your dog licks your fingers, you donât.
What is the best homemade dog repellent?Plain white vinegar’s scent is a really effective dog repellent, especially when it’s combined with lime juice. Soak cotton balls in the solution and place them around problem areas, or create a spray to mist your shoes, if your dogs like to chew on them.
What do dogs hate the most?
10 of the most common smells that dogs hate
What tastes do dogs hate?
At the top of the list of smells that repel dogs is the smell of citrus. Dogs’ distaste for oranges, lemons, grapefruit or the smell of same can be useful. Many dogs can be deterred from chewing on items that have been treated with citrus odors. … If your dog licks your fingers, then you don’t.
Taste deterrents take advantage of your pet’s dislike of bitter and spicy flavors by using those sensations to discourage chewing. Bitter apple sprays and spicy or hot sprays are commonly used deterrents.