One advantage dogs hold over cats is the ability to go to the bathroom outside, eliminating the need for additional accessories such as litter boxes, liner bags and constant replacement litter. A fenced yard makes it easy for both you and your dog when he needs to relieve himself, as all you need to do is open the door to let him out. Over time, however, his frequent restroom trips can create an unpleasant odor in your yard, making it difficult for you to enjoy your outdoors. Eliminating the odor caused by your dog's waste can take some time and effort, but will make your yard more pleasant to use.
Step 1
Remove the waste. Use commercial waste scoopers and containment bags or plastic grocery bags to clean up any solid waste still sitting on your lawn. This will not only make your lawn look better, it will take much of the odor along with it. Securely close the bag and throw it into the garbage. Clean up your dog's solid waste regularly to prevent the odor from lingering. Use baking soda or other odor eliminating products to keep the odor in your trash can down.
Step 2
Water heavily. Thoroughly dilute urine spots to help dissipate the liquid and odor. Do the same for any spots where solid waste has sat for a while. Spray down any objects your dog may have marked or urinated on, such as patio furniture or cement. Eliminating the smell can help prevent your dog from returning to the area again in the future.
Step 3
Clean the area thoroughly. Clean furniture and porous surfaces with a commercial pet odor eliminator product or a homemade cleaning mixture to remove any lingering odor. Combine one part bleach to 10 parts water, or one part vinegar to three parts water and thoroughly saturate the soiled spot with the mixture. Let it sit for five to 15 minutes, then use a brush to scrub the area thoroughly. Rinse thoroughly with water. Repeat as necessary until the smell is gone.
Step 4
Use a commercial odor eliminator product. Most pet or retail stores carry commercial pet odor eliminator products specially designed to save your lawn from your dog's waste. Some products prevent the yellow spots that appear from your dog's urine, while others concentrate on eliminating odors. Most odor elimination products are spray formulas, which you attach to your garden hose and spray over your lawn. Read the directions thoroughly to minimize possible damage to your lawn or injury to your dog.
Warnings
Bleach will kill plant life, so never apply bleach directly to your lawn.
Always read and follow product directions carefully. Do not use more than recommended, and contact customer support for additional help.
Your dog could get sick if he licks or drinks any cleaner left unattended. Supervise your dog at all times during the cleaning process and thoroughly rinse any cleaning chemicals with large amounts of water to completely dilute it.
Tips
A dog will return to a past bathroom spot if he can still smell it. Perform regular cleaning and removal to prevent this continual focus on a single spot.
Take your dog for frequent walks to prevent concentrated urine or large amounts of feces.
Speak to your veterinarian for advice or to conduct a checkup on your dog. Sometimes an illness can create a stronger odor than normal.
Items You Will Need
- Plastic waste bags
- Garden hose
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Retail odor eliminator
- Baking soda
References
Photo Credits
- dog image by Peter Toth from Fotolia.com