Ever heard anyone say that someone or something "pees like a cocker spaniel!" Well, it's the most aptly coined phrase heard today. Throughout my childhood we had a string of the little beasts. Four of them, if I'm not mistaken. Now I'm not sure if each one peed progressively more than the one before, or if my getting progressively older just meant that I had to take on more of the pee cleaning responsibilities. It was especially bad during the Minnesota summers where a normal day in August is 90° F and 90% humidity. The smell could gag a maggot. It sometimes got to the point that if I didn't do a good job cleaning it up, the dog urine smell was enough that it was embarrassing to bring friends over. Especially girl friends. So, through trial and error, I got pretty good at dog urine removal. If you think you'd like to just skip the error part and save your social life, check out this article and learn how to get rid of dog urine odor for good.
Dealing with the Problem
Put dogs out frequently, especially puppies. I know it can be tiresome but you will save yourself a lot of time and effort. Remember, every time the puppy eats, sleeps or plays it's gonna have to go outside. Also give the dog/puppy lots and lots of praise for doing it's business where it's supposed to.
Be stern and consistent. It's confusing for a dog if it only gets scolded sometimes for peeing on the floor. The lesson will be learned much faster if the pooch is scolded for every mess you find. Just don't forget to give Poochy some lovin' after about 15 minutes or so after the scolding.
If you can't be with the dog, keep it on hard floors. For many people, this means barring the pooch in the kitchen or foyer with a baby gate. Wee-Wee Pads should also be left with the dog. These are small absorbant mats made with an attractant that dogs like to whizz on.
Find the dog urine with a black light. Many pet stores and online vendors carry hand held black lights for just this purpose. Just turn out the lights and systematically search for the bright glow of urine. After all, cleaning dog urine is much harder if you can't find it.
Recipe for dog urine remover. If you've got the time and the patience, you can easily make your own dog urine cleaner. This method is not only good for removing dog urine, but also for getting rid of dog urine stains. First blot up as much of the urine as possible. Then mix 3 parts water to one part vinegar and saturate the spot. Next, blot it all up again. After it's dried sprinkle the area with baking soda. Next stir ¾ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide up with one tsp. dish detergent and drizzle over the baking soda. To make sure the hydrogen peroxide won't discolor your carpet, first try this concoction on a small inconspicuous area. Next, use your fingers or an old brush to work the baking soda in. I recommend a hairbrush with little bits of plastic over the tips. Once it's dry, vacuum it up. If there's still a slight odor or a little bit of the stain left when done repeat the process.
Dog Urine Cleaning Products
It's sad, but life has become more involved than hanging with friends, chasing girls and trying to find someone to buy beer for me. This means I usually don't get to go through the lengthy (yet highly effective) processes of home remedies for serious dog urine scrubbing. These days I frequently choose to clean dog urine with a good enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle, Simple Solution, Capture Pet Stain and Odor Neutralizer or Complete Pet Stain and Odor Remover by 8in1. As with any good dog urine cleaning product, these will actually break down the stains and odor causing molecules instead of just masking the odor like so many of the cheaper sprays. These products also employ bacteria producing agents that continue to work until the dog pee smell is completely gone. Better yet, they're ridiculously easy to find. Any pet store, online or otherwise, will carry some or all of the ones I suggested. And remember above all else, while you're using your new dog urine odor remover, you must shout: "Out, damn'd spot! Out, I say!"
