How to Stop Your Dog From Peeing on the Deck? Prevention and Clean Up Tips

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

The sun is out and everyone in the family wants to go outside on the deck and have some fun.

Next thing you know, someone smells a stench of pee, or worse, steps into a puddle.

Although we love our dogs, we don’t necessarily want to get mixed up in their waste discharge.

This can become a sticky problem if no corrective action is taken to educate and train your dog to pee in the right places.

And why do they do it anyway? Is there something to worry about?

In this post, we shall figure out how to stop your dog from peeing on the deck, how to prevent it from happening, and how to remove them completely.

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dog peeing on deck

What types of repellents can I use to prevent my dog from peeing on the deck?

Vinegar solution

With only a few simple procedures, the vinegar solution is an excellent approach to keep your dog from urinating on your deck.

First, mix the diluted vinegar four to one with water as this will be excellent in cleaning off any stain or odor left behind by urine-soaked decking material

Next, scrub the surface again with a stiff brush, this time, working back-forth methodically removing all possible moisture until you’ve removed the odor or it’s gone.

If it still smells after 30 minutes, repeat the application procedure until there are no indications of the odor. 

With a final rinse, you can be sure that your dog’s urine will not come into contact with the deck surface again.

Doggy says, consider reading this too: Boston Terrier Peeing in the House? [Problem Solved]

Does your dog have a peeing problem?

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Garlic Repellent

Dogs hate garlic.

So if you mix up some water with crushed garlic cloves and then use it to spray down your deck, you’ll find that the odor of this solution will be enough for a dog not to go near. 

Make sure to reapply as needed since rain and other causes may cause the garlic scent to fade over time.

Citrus Oil Extracts

Citrus oil extracts are a great way to get your dog to stop peeing on the deck. All you need are orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime peels, and some water.

Pour a gallon of boiling water over them in a pail then leave it to cool.

Strain the peels out of the fruit and put everything into a spray bottle.

Make sure to soak your deck with this solution.

The scent will mask any urine smell, and your dog should stop peeing on deck because it’ll be too busy sniffing the area to do anything else.

This is one of the best ways to prevent this type of behavior in dogs.

Cayenne pepper or black pepper

To keep your dog from peeing on the deck, sprinkle some cayenne pepper or black pepper in their favorite toilet areas.

Use this spice sparingly as it will irritate a pup’s nose when they sniff it.

You may also dilute it with water and spray it onto the deck to give a natural yet effective solution.

Ammonia or alcohol

To keep your dog from peeing on the deck, use strong-smelling substances like ammonia and rubbing alcohol.

They’ll not enjoy this.

Apply it around or in locations where you don’t want them to pee (such as near a doorway).

Just spray some of these odorous chemicals out at their noses so they’re forced away when walking past the area.

Reapply regularly for best results.

Doggy says, read this too: Beagle Peeing in the House: Stop It in Its Tracks

Will dog pee ruin a deck?

If you’re looking to spruce up your deck and keep it in good condition, the last thing that should be on there is dog pee.

The smell will ruin any wood or composite material used for construction. Urine’s impact on these surfaces does not go unnoticed.

Not only does it harm the flooring with each passing day, but it also does so over time.

Even worse, if ignored, this can lead to mold growth and other problems.

In addition to the obvious, the scent of dog urine on your deck will harm it in a variety of ways.

Urine also has corrosive qualities and over time, it may corrode metal objects such as nails or screws.

The resulting odor could be one problem because not only does this affect how others perceive you but also takes away some people’s desire for socializing outdoors with their pets.

Doggy says, you may like this too: German Shorthaired Pointer Peeing in the House [What to do]

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What should I do if my dog pees on the deck?

Wash it off

If you find that your pup has already marked its territory and soaked a spot, then it’s time to get down there.

If possible don’t let urine dry on the wood- make sure everything gets washed off immediately if at all possible.

Spraying or a bucket full of water will do wonders in getting rid of any spots left by this mess Fido made before he even knows what happened.

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Soap and Water

You’ll need to use warm water with soap or other cleaning solutions designed for this purpose.

If you have a liquid dishwasher at home, it will work wonders for cleaning the decking.

Pour some of the solution on the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush until urine is gone.

Baking Soda

Another popular method of getting rid of dog pee on deck is baking soda.

All you need to do with this one is spread a thin, even layer in the area where your dog likes to urinate and let it sit there for at least thirty minutes before you clean it up.

The best part about baking soda is that it isn’t harmful to pets or plants. 

Epsom Salt

Another chemical-free option for removing pee is Epsom salts.

All you need to do is sprinkle them onto the deck and let it sit for about fifteen minutes before you hose off.

Epsom salt can act as a natural disinfectant so this method is great if your dog has already peed on the spot several times.

How can I get rid of the urine smell on my outdoor deck?

washing dog pee off your deck

Your outdoor deck is a wonderful place to spend the summer, but it might also be home to unpleasant dog pee smells.

To get rid of these tough stains without chemicals or messy cleanups every day – try our easy technique.

Making use of baking soda is a great way to eliminate those pesky pet smells (in fact, it does a great job at removing lots of other smells around the household too).

Sprinkle baking soda over the areas and sweep with a broom.

Simply make sure you do it completely so that it covers all of your dog’s pee, as well as filling in any grooves or cracks he may have made when peeing on wood surfaces like decks (or concrete!).

For best results, use organic products wherever possible because these can help keep plants safe too.

Mixing water and vinegar is another way to get your deck looking new again. 

Fill up a bucket with about an inch or two (depending on how diluted you want) of each liquid, then mix until they’re well combined.

Once applied thoroughly, let it sit overnight and then rinse off tomorrow morning when ready.

Start over again if necessary until the smell is completely gone from the surface.

Dogs are a lot like humans in the way they can be attracted to certain smells.

Unfortunately, this means that if your pup has been naughty, you may have to resort to odor-neutralizers.

This may be costly, especially if your dog pees again and again.

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Doggy says, read this too: What if Your Dog Ate a Pee Pad? 10 Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you stop a dog from peeing in the same spot?

It can be difficult to stop a dog from peeing in the same spot again, but there are steps you can take to prevent this behavior.

Change your dog’s diet. This will help avoid fleas and other illnesses that can cause urination problems.

Clean the deck after a pee incident with a pet-safe cleaner, soap, water or baking soda to keep your pets from going back to the same spot.

Keep your pets off the deck if it is raining or cold outside. This can also help to keep them from going back to their favorite spot in an effort to avoid mud or cold wet conditions.

Increase your pet’s exercise. This will help to reduce excess energy and hopefully decrease the time spent on urine marking behaviors.

What scent repels dogs from peeing?

To prevent urination, you can try using a scent that is undesirable to dogs. Citrus fruits, vinegar, and garlic are some examples of deterrents for dogs. Clean the area where the dog has been peeing and lay down these scents around the deck so your pet doesn’t return to it.

How do I get my dog to stop peeing on my doorstep?

It’s important to note that most animal behaviorists believe that urine marking is just a natural form of communication in canines.

Dogs may be, in effect, simply reading the signs of their habitat and informing other dogs what they find when they come across them.

However, there are times when your dog will revert to an instinctual desire to leave his scent on surfaces he thinks are his territory – like the doorstep you greet him at every day with affection.

Here are some ways you can nip this in the bud:

  • At all entrances to your home, put dog toilet pads (doors, hallways, or anyplace else). These disposable pads give a convenient solution for pet owners who don’t want smells to seep into the house.
  • Train your dog to use a particular area in the yard where he is allowed to do his business rather than allowing him free reign to pee on your doorstep.
  • If your dog continues to mark his territory, it’s time for a visit with the vet or animal behaviorist. There may be an underlying medical issue that causes him to do this and treatment is often helpful in curbing those instincts.

Doggy says, check this out too: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Peeing in the House [Solutions]

In conclusion: How to stop your dog from peeing on the deck?

As you can tell, dogs peeing on decks are a minor annoyance that can be easily fixed.

Detering them from doing it in the first place is a good start while training them properly will ensure that this issue does not rear its head again.

What about you? Do you have any tips and tricks that worked for you? Feel free to share your comments down below!

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Zack Keithy
Zack Keithy

Hey, I'm Zack, the Chief Editor here. I was formerly a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for a good 6 years before moving on to greener pastures. Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Connect with me on LinkedIn, or read more about Canine Care Central!

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