Want to skip right to the spray recipe? Click here! If your dog keeps peeing in the house, a homemade spray can help deter the behavior while you retrain them. Below, you’ll learn how to make an easy DIY no-pee spray, how to train your dog to stop indoor accidents, and how to clean existing spots so they don’t return to the scene.

Stop Dog Peeing in House Spray + Training Plan

DIY No-Pee Spray Recipe

This spray uses scents that are safe for dogs but unpleasant enough to discourage peeing in that area. (Looking for cleaning spray? It’s here.)

You’ll stop smelling it within a couple hours, while dogs will continue to be deterred for several days to a week or more. How often you’ll need to reapply will depend on the dog and the type of surface. Carpets and rugs will need less frequent resprays compared to areas like tile.

Before using on hardwood, it’s important to note that any vinegar-based spray can be damaging over time due to the acidity. Skip below to the training instead.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 20 drops lemon

Instructions:

1. Mix vinegar, water, and lemon drops in a spray bottle.
2. Shake well before each use.
3. Spray directly onto areas where your dog has peed before or spots they tend to target.
4. Reapply daily until the behavior changes.

Tip: Vinegar also helps neutralize lingering urine odors.

How to Stop Dog Peeing in House Training

1. Supervise closely: Keep your dog within sight indoors, using baby gates or a leash if necessary.
2. Take frequent potty breaks: Puppies may need to go out every 30–60 minutes; adult dogs every 2–4 hours.
3. Reward outdoor peeing instantly: Praise and treat the moment they finish outside so they connect it with the good outcome.
4. Interrupt accidents calmly: If you catch them mid-pee indoors, clap or say “outside,” then take them to their spot. Reward if they finish outside.
5. Stick to a routine: Feed, walk, and give potty breaks at the same times each day to regulate their schedule.

While these steps will make a real difference, peeing indoors is often part of a larger behavioral or anxiety problem.

And until you address this underlying issue directly, you’ll continue to have problems in other areas.

“Well, how do I do that then?”

You truly correct your dog’s issues by developing their intelligence, that’s how! When they get the mental stimulation they desperately need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems start to disappear fast.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games created by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her amazing results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end bad behavior while also teaching your dog to sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk calmly by your side. It’s simple, and it will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains exactly how her system works here, go take a look!

DIY Cleaning Spray Recipe

Cleaning is just as important as deterring. If your dog can smell their own urine, they are much more likely to go there again.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups warm water
• 4 tablespoons baking soda

Instructions:

1. Blot up as much urine as possible with paper towels.
2. Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the soiled area generously and let sit for 5–10 minutes.
4. Blot again with paper towels.
5. Sprinkle baking soda over the damp area, let dry, then vacuum.

Vinegar neutralizes odor, while baking soda absorbs any remaining smell. For carpets, test in a hidden spot first to avoid discoloration. You’ll get the best results when you pair this with training to address the peeing (and root cause) by going back to the first section now.

How to Make a Citrus-Based Deterrent Spray for Indoor Peeing

This natural lemon or orange peel spray helps discourage repeat accidents

If you’re looking for an alternative to vinegar-based sprays or want a gentler option for fabric and upholstery, a citrus deterrent spray can help. Dogs dislike the scent of citrus, making it an effective, natural way to keep them from peeing in certain spots. Just be sure to test it on a hidden area of the surface first to avoid damage.

1. Boil 1 cup of water with the peel from one lemon or orange for 10 minutes.
2. Allow the mixture to cool fully, then strain out the peels.
3. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle. Add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar if you’d like for extra strength.
4. Spray lightly on areas where your dog tends to pee indoors. Avoid over-saturating fabrics, and never use on delicate materials like silk or wool.
5. Reapply daily until your dog consistently avoids the treated area.

This citrus spray is a useful addition to your no-pee toolkit, but should always be paired with training to address the underlying behavior.

Why Dogs Pee in the House

General Causes

Indoor peeing can be caused by incomplete training (fix in the first section), anxiety, illness, or marking behavior. It’s important to identify the cause so you can address it correctly.

At Night

Some dogs, especially puppies or seniors, can’t hold their bladder overnight. Limiting water before bedtime and offering a late-night potty break can help.

Older Dogs

Senior dogs may develop urinary incontinence or medical issues like kidney disease. A vet check is important if an older dog starts having accidents.

Puppies

Young puppies have very small bladders and may not yet understand where they are supposed to go. Consistency, supervision, and positive reinforcement are key to getting them house trained quickly.

Conclusion

With the right spray, thorough cleaning, and consistent training, you can break the cycle of indoor accidents and help your dog succeed. Start today, and your home will be fresh and mess-free in no time.

Make sure to pin this so you’ll be able to refer back to it!