There’s nothing worse than coming home from a long day at work to find that your pet has destroyed your expensive mahogany furniture. Dogs and puppies that chew on everything can be very annoying. In this article, we’ll talk about what you need to make a “bitter spray” to stop your dog from ever again chewing on your things around the house. One thing to remember is that bitter apple spray is no substitute for training. Behavioural training is the long-term goal of preventing your puppy from chewing things. You could try all-natural treats that help with teething or toys made just for teething in the short term.
Does your dog have a pesky chewing habit? Are your furniture shoes and belongings covered in teeth marks? Many pet owners struggle with dogs who chew destructively. While training is the long-term solution, a homemade bitter spray can provide immediate relief.
In this article, I’ll explain what bitter sprays are, why they deter dogs from chewing, and easy DIY recipes to make your own. With some common household ingredients, you can stop your pup from chomping down on your valuables.
What is Bitter Spray?
Bitter apple sprays have an intentionally foul taste that dogs hate. They create an aversive response when your dog bites or licks a treated surface. Commercial bitter sprays are sold, but homemade versions work just as well.
The most common ingredients are apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and hot spices like cayenne pepper These sour, bitter flavors overwhelm your dog’s taste buds and cause them to recoil It interrupts the chewing habit and redirects their attention.
Bitter sprays are safe for dogs when used properly. Start by spraying areas your pup frequently chews like furniture legs, drywall corners, and wood trim. The taste deters them from returning to those spots. You can also apply it directly to items you don’t want chewed.
Why Use a Bitter Spray?
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, especially as puppies. But destructive chewing quickly becomes a problem that requires intervention. A bitter spray offers some advantages:
- Immediate solution – Works on the spot to interrupt chewing
- Safe and humane – Unpleasant taste but causes no harm
- Convenient application – Spray directly onto problem items
- Versatile uses – Stop chewing, licking wounds, mouthing hands
- Natural ingredients – Avoid chemicals on your belongings
Bitter sprays buy you time to positively reinforce good chewing habits. But the spray itself doesn’t train your dog. Ongoing behavioral modification is needed to fully correct destructive chewing long-term.
DIY Bitter Spray Recipes
It’s easy to whip up your own homemade bitter spray. Here are three recipes to try using common household ingredients:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Spray bottle
Mix the ingredients and shake before use. The acetic acid gives this spray a tart, bitter taste.
2. Lemon Juice Spray
- 2 cups lemon juice
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Spray bottle
Lemon juice adds a strong sour citrus flavor dogs despise. Shake well before spraying.
3. Cayenne Pepper Spray
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- Spray bottle
The cayenne pepper creates a spicy heat sensation on your dog’s tongue. Use caution not to overdo it.
Start with small amounts of cayenne and increase slowly if needed. Consider wearing gloves, as it can irritate human skin when applying.
How to Use Your Homemade Bitter Spray
Using your DIY bitter spray is simple:
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Test on a small, hidden area first. Check for any damage or staining.
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Apply a light coat to problem chewing spots. Let dry completely.
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Reapply daily or as needed until chewing habit is broken.
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To deter licking wounds, spray a cotton ball then gently dab the area.
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Never spray directly in your dog’s face or eyes. Avoid mucous membranes.
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Keep out of reach from kids to prevent accidental exposure.
Monitor your dog’s reaction closely. Most recoil right away and learn to avoid anything with that taste. But some persistent chewers may ignore the flavor at first.
For those dogs, consider adding more vinegar, lemon juice or cayenne pepper to increase the intensity. Alternate between the different recipes to keep them guessing. Stay diligent, and they’ll eventually get the message.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if your homemade bitter spray isn’t working:
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Add more flavoring – Double the vinegar or lemon juice. For cayenne spray, increase a pinch at a time.
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Apply more frequently – Reapply the spray daily or multiple times per day.
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Switch recipes – Rotate between vinegar, lemon and cayenne versions.
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Spray cotton ball – Soak a cotton ball then directly dab wounds/hot spots.
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Use with training – Couple the spray with praise/rewards for good chewing habits.
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Limit access – Block off or remove tempting chewing items.
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Exercise and stimulation – Make sure your dog gets sufficient physical and mental activity.
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See your vet – Rule out medical causes like pain, anxiety, obsessive licking.
While bitter spray can help manage the issue, destructive chewing usually indicates a deeper problem needing veterinary or behavioral intervention. Talk to your vet if chewing persists despite your best efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about homemade bitter sprays:
Is bitter apple spray safe for dogs?
Yes, bitter sprays are non-toxic when used properly as a taste deterrent. Never spray in the face or eyes. Contact your vet if ingested in large amounts.
How long does bitter spray last?
Homemade sprays typically last 1-3 days before needing reapplication, especially if exposed to weather. Commercial sprays may last longer.
Where can I buy bitter apple spray?
Major retailers like Petco, PetSmart and Amazon sell commercial bitter apple sprays. Or make your own using the DIY recipes above.
Can I use bitter spray on furniture?
Yes, you can spray furniture, but test a small hidden spot first. Reapply daily at first until the chewing habit stops.
What’s the best homemade bitter spray?
There’s no definitively “best” recipe. Try all three versions above to determine which one your dog hates the taste of most. Mix and match ingredients too.
Will bitter spray stop licking?
Bitter sprays deter licking of hot spots, wounds, bandages and fur. Lightly spray a cotton ball then dab problem areas. Don’t spray skin directly.
Conclusion
With a simple homemade bitter spray, you can curb your dog’s bothersome chewing habits using safe, natural ingredients. Test different recipes to discover which flavors your pooch finds most offensive. Just remember that the spray alone won’t solve the underlying behavior. Ongoing positive reinforcement training is needed for a permanent solution. But in the meantime, a quick spritz of bitter apple when your dog gets mouthy will help protect your belongings.
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- Spray bottle: You can get these at most big grocery stores.
- Lemon juice or Apple Cider Vinegar and some white vinegar
1. Safety: Here are the most important things to remember when using a spray bottle that you recycled from a detergent bottle. Make sure you’ve used almost boiling water and hot soap and water to clean out the detergent bottle completely. There should be no detergent left in the bottle at all!
2. Add two cups of lemon juice and one cup of white vinegar to a jug. You can also add two cups of apple cider vinegar and one cup of white vinegar. You can use either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice smells better around the house, but apple cider vinegar can work better sometimes. The bitterness from either should deter your puppy or dog from wanting to chew anything that’s been sprayed.
3. Spray all the places and things he likes to chew on. Do this once a week to make sure the taste doesn’t go away. Over time, this will teach your dog that these things taste bad, so it will stay away from them.
Our article, Puppy Training Tips to Help Keep Both You and Your Puppy Sane, has more information on how to train a puppy.