Man’s best friend. And at times, man’s greatest annoyance. Taking care of them can be quite hard. Though our love for them never fades, it can be extremely irritating when they go where they shouldn’t or chew what isn’t food. You definitely wish they’d learn that shoes are not chewed toys, your garden doesn’t have any hidden treasure, and your garbage has nothing to hide.
Fortunately for all of us, there are certain smells and sounds that can deter your four-legged friend from continuing his/her bad behavior. And we’ve listed down the best dog repellent sprays in the market today. And just for organization purposes, the first half of the list is for correcting your pet’s behavior. The second half is for correcting someone else’s pet’s behavior (i.e. attacking dogs).
Top 10 Dog Repellent Sprays of 2020 Reviewed
1. HALT Dog Repellant Spray
Dog Repellent Spray for Joggers
This repellant spray is perfect for other people’s misbehaving dogs that bother you. This pepper spray is specifically designed to prevent dogs from getting too near to bite you (or your dog). The cans are lightweight, easily attached to a belt, and its spray can reach up to 12 feet.
The company claims to be the favorite dog repellent spray of the US Postal Service. Like all other repellent sprays, this will not work for all dogs. And you need to be accurate in your aim. But you might be interested to know that it’s not allowed to be sold in California due to the state’s pepper spray laws.
Pros:
- Very effective
- Lightweight
- The spray can reach up to a distance of 12 feet
Cons:
- Cannot be sold in California
- Does not work on all dogs
- Some users have reported a weak stream when using the spray (no more than 2 or 3 feet)
2. The Company of Animals Pet Corrector
Best Anti Chew Training Dog Detterent
Unlike some dog repellent sprays, the Pet Corrector doesn’t use smell to stop your dog (or any four-legged pet) from behaving badly. The can contains an inert gas that is odorless and non-flammable.
This gas is released using a spray mechanism that emits a hissing sound, similar to the warning sound made by a snake. This interrupts your pet’s unwanted behavior. When this happens, some users then used positive reinforcement to reiterate the command.
Pros:
- Odorless & non-flammable gas
- Free training guide included
- Fits in your pocket
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on all dogs
- Kind of pricey for a small can
- Some consumers are concerned about the use of negative reinforcement
3. PRO Anti Chew Spray For Dogs & Puppies
Best Anti Chew Training Dog Detterent
This anti-chew bitter spray was designed by pet trainers and veterinarians. The company claims that it’s the most powerful bitter deterrent on the market and you can bet your patootie that your dog’s chewing will stop in 14 days.
It even comes with an online, interactive training program. If at any point in time the spray doesn’t work or you aren’t happy with the results, you can also get a full refund.
Pros:
- Alcohol-free
- An online, interactive training program
- 100% No Hassle Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on all dogs
- Once sprayed, some users reported tasting it in the air
- Does not work well for pets chewing due to anxiety
4. Grannick’s Bitter Apple
Dog Repellent Spray for Joggers
A crowd favorite, Grannick’s Bitter Apple is a non-toxic spray that prevents your dog from chewing anything that he shouldn’t, from your furniture and personal stuff to parts of his body such as fur, wounds, and bandages. The solution is made up of bitter extract, water, and 20% isopropanol – safe for both you and your pet.
Pros:
- Non-toxic
- Comes in various sizes
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on some dogs
- Some buyers have reported the need to keep reapplying the spray frequently
- Some buyers have reported leaking bottles
5. No Chew Spray Deterrent for Dogs, Anti Chew Pet Training Corrector
Best Anti Chew Training Dog Detterent
Coming to you from the US is the no chew spray deterrent for dogs, made from the finest tropical familiar designed for the sole purpose of training your pets. The pet training corrector works by incorporating a biter taster that will discourage your dog from licking or chewing on anything you spray.
It’s both alcohol and propylene glycol free, made to suit your furry companion such that it will deter your pet without any negative side effects, but then again, tweaked such that once the bitterness hits the taste buds, your dog immediately desists.
The spray has a strong scent, so you are advised to use it in a well-ventilated area first. It’s perfectly safe to use on most chew targets, including clothing, sofa, furniture, plants, electrical cords, and practically anything. It also works with other pets like cats and rabbits too.
Pros:
- Highly effective
- Safe and humane
- Suitable for other pets than dogs
Cons:
- The spray might leave your hands with an awful taste
- The spray works differently on different dogs; May not be effective on your particular dog
- Strong scent
6. Emmy’s Best Stop The Chew 3X Strength Anti Chew Bitter Spray Deterrent for Dogs & Puppies
Best Anti Chew Bitter Dog Deterrent
This next spray deterrent from Emmy’s prides itself on being one of the most powerful bitter deterrents out there. Safe to say, it would do well to prevent your more powerful dog from using your shoes as a chew toy. The spray comes as a result of a collaboration of veterinarians and trainers to ensure that it is safe for animal consumption. The spray bottle itself is specially designed such that you can use it efficiently without leaving any residual mess.
The formula used in the making of Emmy’s deterrent is also alcohol-free, meaning it will be perfectly okay to use on any of your furniture, shoes, clothing, flooring and literally anything ever. The good people at Emmy’s are so confident about this; they offer you a years’ worth of guarantees. Meaning, if it doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can return the bottle and get your refund. It also comes with a 14-day training program to help you gain control of all the chewing in 14 days.
Pros:
- Alcohol-free formula
- Good after-sale service(14-day training program)
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- May be very bitter for a smaller dog.
- Powerful scent
- The spray has a burning effect on eyes
7. Bodhi Dog Bitter Lemon Spray
Dog Repellent Spray for Joggers
This anti-chew spray is similar to our other picks because it contains natural bitters that will deter most pets from nibbling on things that they shouldn’t. The actual blend includes natural lemon extracts and is 100% non-toxic.
Being plant-based, the spray is best for pets that have allergies or other sensitivities. Bodhi Dog manufactures the spray using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in the USA. And they also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Plant-based and 100% non-toxic
- Doesn’t negatively impact any furniture, plants, etc the liquid is sprayed on
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on all dogs
- One user reports that her cat vomited when ingesting the product
- Some users have reported that once sprayed, the aerosol gets into the air and can be “tasted”
8. PetSafe Ssscat Cat Spray Control System
Dog Repellent Spray for Joggers
If you want to keep your pet away from certain areas in your house, then this repellent is your best bet. The spray is actually motion-activated. It can detect movement up to 3 feet way using infrared for 24-hours.
The content of the spray is actually compressed air – odorless, safe, and ozone-friendly. With this spray, you don’t even need to be anywhere near your pet to train him or her to keep away from trouble zones.
Pros:
- Safe and odorless
- No need to monitor
- Can be turned on and off
Cons:
- Accidental activation can lead to the can emptying far too quickly
- Could make pets too anxious
- Expensive
9. Harbor’s Training Aid for Puppies and Dogs – 4 oz
Best anti Chew Spray Deterrent
Harbor’s training aid is one of the dog repellants out there that is made from naturally derived extracts. Its basic ingredients constitute of lemon, orange and peppermint pills. Safe to say, it is perfectly safe for pet consumption. This also means that it’s perfectly okay to use it on your furniture and household items without any mess or damages.
The training aid also has a pleasant citrus smell to it, so you are free to use it in any room, but don’t worry because your canine friend won’t find it as pleasant. For best results, you should apply harbors 3 times a day for the first week, after which you can apply according to your requirements. The product is made in the USA, so you can rest assured that it’s duly vegan and animal cruelty-free. You also get a full money-back guarantee if it doesn’t work for you
Pros:
- Made from natural extracts
- Has a pleasant citrus smell
- Vegan and animal cruelty-free
Cons:
- You have to apply 3 times a day for best results initially
- Might take a while to get effects
10. PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent
Best Dog Repellent with Safety Lock
The PetSafe SprayShield can be compared to a pepper spray, but for animals. However, unlike your typical painful pepper spray, the petSafe is made to be effective yet harmless on animals. It has been tested and deemed perfect for keeping any rogue dogs from attacking you, or from fighting your dog when you take them out for walks. In fact, the formula is like a 10% pepper spray with minimized eye irritation.
The SprayShield is mostly meant for people working in areas where they may encounter aggressive animals. It has a safety lock in place to prevent any accidental spraying. Simply unlock it by lifting the red tab and sliding it to the left. The deterrent also comes with full customer care support that will assist you should you need any help using the product.
Pros:
- Has a safety button
- Keeps aggressive dogs away in real-time
- Is dog safe; doesn’t cause eye irritation
Cons:
- Lacks a belt clip which makes it unhandy for an emergency
- Some users claim that it empties too quickly
- Directions can get a bit confusing at first
Choosing The Best Dog Repellent Spray – The Ultimate Buying Guide
We all know that dogs like to misbehave. Who doesn’t? But like children, man’s best friend needs to learn what’s right and what’s wrong. Sometimes, they don’t listen to what you say (not any different to most of us humans) so you have to reinforce the rules in a way that they’ll remember. And this is where dog repellent sprays come in.
Two Main Types of Dog Repellent Sprays
Dog repellent are made from different ingredients/scents that they hate as the video below shows:
Dog repellent sprays, as the name suggests, repels dogs or deters them from performing a certain behavior. Now, you might not realize that these products can be organized into two categories – one is for your dog and the other is for other people’s dogs.
The first category consists of sprays that you can use to teach YOUR pet what is right and wrong. You can use sound such as The Company of Animals Pet Corrector to let your pet know that the behavior (chewing, barking, etc.) is unacceptable. You can also use smell and taste to prevent your pet from performing a certain behavior. Some good examples are Grannick’s Bitter Apple and Bodhi Dog Bitter Lemon Spray.
The second category of dog repellent sprays is for those designed specifically to stop other people’s dogs from attacking you and/or your dog. These are typically pepper sprays like which are used by law enforcement agencies.
What do You Plan to do With the Spray?
Before you even look at any of the dog repellent sprays being sold in the market, you should first think about what you want to achieve with the spray and how you want to achieve it. What does this mean? This means that you should think about whether you prefer to use sound or smell, whether you want to use the spray to punish behavior being done while you’re there (barking), or do you wish to prevent your dog from doing something bad while you’re not watching (digging through the trash, chewing your sofa, etc.).
Do you plan on spraying your furniture with the dog repellent spray? What about your plants, your shoes, and parts of your body? When you know exactly how you plan on using the spray, then you can look over your options.
How Safe is it?
All of our picks have been determined safe for pets. Humans, on the other hand, are another matter altogether. Don’t get us wrong. Not one of these will harm you indefinitely. But there are some products that you may be allergic to (even without knowing it). Or, as we’ve seen in some of these products, there will be some sprays that get in your mouth, eyes, and nose which can cause irritation.
Some products have been found to last for days. While the spray may be effective on your pet, you will have to weigh in how much you are willing to sacrifice in order for your pet to learn the lesson.
Test it Out + Money-back Guarantee
You’ll notice that half of the reviews on all dog repellent sprays talk about how well they work while the other half complains about the stuff not working on their pets. This is because not all pets are alike. Some dogs (and cats) will not mind the bitter taste of the spray just as some dogs will not mind the irritation and pain (short term only) caused by the pepper spray. If it appears to prolong, you can help him by flushing his eyes, nose, and mouth with water.
Which then begs the question, how do you know what will work for your dog? You actually won’t. You’ll have to test it out to see how your pet responds. It is best if you can get a trial period or find a product that offers a money-back guarantee. This way, you’re covered in case you get a spray that your dog (or cat) actually loves.
While a good number of natural dog repellent sprays are good for your pet, you could also try making some at home. But be careful not to overdo the ingredients as this may have some side effects on your canine friend.
Conclusion
When it comes to dog repellent spray, nothing’s a sure thing. All of our picks are harmless, affordable, and easy to use. The only drawback is you’ll never know which one will give you the result you’re looking for. You’ll just have to spray them all.
