Hi, I am Floppy, a cute little dachshund. I am going to talk about the smells that I simply hate. Compared to humans, dogs have a much better sense of smell. Canines can have more than 300 million olfactory cells that help us navigate the world. Humans have only five million. It should now be obvious why we often become so overwhelmed when we are taken out for a walk.
First of all, it is important to understand that your furry friend uses his sense of smell to make sense of the things around them. We also have the capability of remembering distinct odors. This is a unique dog trait that can be used by humans to their advantage.
We Love To Smell
We love to smell all manner of things, but there are certain scents we avoid like the plague. Some of the most common scents that we hate might be considered pleasant by humans. If you have an adventurous dog that likes to get into trouble, certain smells can be used as an effective deterrent for your dog. A simple whiff of one of these odors is enough for your dog to turn away in disgust. These odors do not result in any harm to your dog, but rather, they create a negative memory for us regarding a particular place or object. Read on to learn about some of the common smells that I hate.
Hot Peppers
Jalapenos, poblano peppers, chili peppers, and other hot peppers are a natural deterrent for us because of their spice. The tingling sensation that humans get around their nose and tongue is totally alien to us. Simply holding a pepper will make me want to get away as far as possible. The spiciness present in these peppers is the result of a chemical compound known as a capsaicinoid. A deterrent spray for dogs can easily be made by grinding the pepper and mixing it with water.
Our sensitivity to spice may result in sneezing. In some serious cases, a dog can even suffer from respiratory problems. Do not feed your dog a spicy pepper or try to get him to play with one. Instead, use it for keeping puppies away from plants or a particular part of the yard.
Citrus
Citrus scents are commonly found in a large number of home products: room deodorizers, cleaners, candles, and more. While the smell can be pleasant for humans, we hate it. Citrus oil may even result in irritation of your dog’s respiratory tract.
Generally, citrus oil is used in products that are designed for preventing your dog from urinating in a particular area. Instead of spending a lot of money, you can easily make such a product at home. All that is required is skins from oranges, grapefruits, lemons or limes. Place the skins on the ground and your dog will not go into that particular area. The juice from the fruit can also be used to create a spray. If you’re looking for something more potent, you can use citrus oils. As they are highly concentrated, it is a good idea to dilute the oil with a little bit of water before spraying it around.
Vinegar
Vinegar is very versatile so it is used in a lot of home remedies. There are several different types of vinegar available on the market. Some of these like the standard white vinegar can be used to keep me away from furniture or certain parts of the yard. This is a safe, affordable and non-toxic remedy. You can simply put it in a spray bottle and go. The smell of the vinegar is not pleasant for humans as it is very strong and acidic so it may be a good idea to use vinegar for outside applications.
Fresh Herbs
Most dogs do not like fresh herbs like rosemary and mint. They have a pungent odor that is not appetizing for us. This can be used to your advantage; you can plant fresh herbs in your garden to keep me away from it (and you will get a fresh supply of these herbs). Another idea is to create a simple spray solution by using the oil you extract from these herbs. Although most of us cannot stand the smell of herbs, there are some dogs who do not have any problem with mint. In fact, there are many mint-flavored treats that are available for masking bad breath in your dog.
Alcohol
The smell of standard rubbing alcohol puts off dogs. You can spray alcohol on some cotton balls and then put them in the area where you do not want your dog to go. However, the effectiveness of alcohol completely depends on its concentration; the higher the percentage of alcohol, the stronger the smell will be. As is the case with all other chemicals, it is very important that you remain safe. A veterinarian will tell you not to use rubbing alcohol on your dog’s skin, even after an injury. Alcohol is also highly flammable.
Peppermint
We do not like the smell of peppermint so please avoid giving us peppermint to eat. Similarly, do not rub peppermint oil on us because it may make us sick. Natural remedies that may make human beings feel better do not work on us and may even be bad for us. Peppermint oil may be used by humans for alleviating symptoms, but this is not the case for dogs. You should only give us products that are intended for dogs.
Conclusion
There is no science-based evidence suggesting that dogs benefit from peppermint in the same way as humans, and your dog may possibly even suffer. Using products on your dog that are intended for use by human beings can be very dangerous.
