Although man and dog have, for ages, lived together symbiotically, it can’t be avoided that some dogs might still rely on their feral instincts, especially when they feel threatened. That’s why the best dog repellents and deterrents have gained popularity as more and more people are deciding to buy or adopt dogs as pets.
There are various types of dog deterrents in the market that you can buy, some of which can be easily applied as a spray-on, some more conventionally used as a horn while some are used as a dog whistle. No matter the form, these deterrents and repellents will, with great certainty, be able to help you fend off a pack of dogs or help control your own.
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How to Choose the Best Dog Repellent and Deterrent?
Since there are dozens of dog repellents and deterrents out there, it can be quite difficult to know which ones to buy. Fortunately, decades of research and observations have given us the knowledge that certain smells, tastes, and sounds can deter and confuse dogs.
When choosing a spray repellent or deterrent, we usually look for a product that has a bitter content, has moderate amounts of capsaicin, and more importantly, won’t harm the receiving animal. That said, below are some of the best ones in the market right now:
11 Best Dog Repellents and Deterrents
The Company of Animals Pet Corrector
A Harmless Means of Interrupting Your Dog’s Barking Behavior
The Pet Corrector made by The Company of Animals is one of the best dog barking deterrents on the market. It is basically a compressed gas in a can recommended by dog trainers and behaviorists worldwide. It only contains an odorless compressed gas with no toxic chemicals or substances.
It works similarly to a spray but instead of liquid coming out, compressed air will instead hiss. The product is used to train your dog to moderate his behavior at home and outside.
It works by interrupting your pets’ unwanted behavior of barking or jumping at people using the hissing sound created by the compressed air. The hiss is similar to that of the sound made by a hissing snake or geese which distracts the dog so that you can give a command like ‘sit’ or ‘down’.
Why We Like It:
- Effective in controlling your dog’s behavior at home
- Great for dog training
- One canister lasts for a long time
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires a lot of patience
PetSafe SprayShield
An Effective and Harmless Deterrent Spray
Petsafe Sprayshield is a dog deterrent that you can use to spray an animal who is threatening you. The spray is citronella-based, and while it’s not as effective as capsaicin, it will still be able to deter an animal.
The spray does not have as powerful effect as capsaicin does and will only cause mild irritation to a dog. However, it is advisable not to use this on rabid animals as it will likely not be able to deter them from attacking you.
Another one of its pressing drawbacks is that the clip is not properly secured with adhesive and will, with little effort, come off very easily.
Why We Like It:
- Deters a dog without harming him
- Easy to use
- Comes with a safety lock and a belt clip
What We Don’t Like:
- Ineffective against rabid animals
- The belt clip is improperly secured and is easily removed
HALT Dog Repellent
Effective Repellent with No Expiration
HALT is the best dog repellent spray for cyclists and runners to provide them with personal protection from a rabid animal. It sprays a spicy liquid containing an active ingredient of capsaicin.
If you are under threat from a rabid or aggressive animal, all you have to do is spray it directly in its face. HALT is essentially just pepper spray but for animals, so it doesn’t harm them on contact and instead will only irritate and confuse them to give you enough time to escape. Just remember not to point it at your face.
The spray comes in a 4.9-inch-tall canister that is very easy to grip and use. It can easily hit a target up to 10 to 12 feet away, giving you a comfortable reach. Since HALT doesn’t have an expiry date, you can essentially use this for several years and still get the same result.
Why We Like It:
- Works very effectively against rabid animals
- Doesn’t have an expiration date
- Can reach up to 12 feet
What We Don’t Like:
- Must be directly aimed at the eyes to be effective
- Needs careful handling
Bodhi Dog Bitter Lemon Spray
Ideal for Deterring a Dog’s Chewing Behavior
The Bodhi Dog Bitter Lemon Spray is a dog repellent that helps control your pets’ chewing behavior. It contains lemon and bitter extracts that your pets will find unsavory.
To use, you only have to spray the areas that you observed your pet always chews on like your furniture or some dangerous wires. Since it is non-toxic, you can also spray this on your skin and not worry about any reaction or allergies.
One of its drawbacks is that it only lasts for a brief period of time and will need to be constantly reapplied. You also can’t use this in large open areas as the wind will only reduce its effectivity. It is also advisable not to use this in poorly ventilated areas as you could taste the vapor of the alcohol as it evaporates inside the room.
Why We Like It:
- Effective at controlling your pets’ chewing behavior
- Non-toxic
What We Don’t Like:
- Needs constant application
- Lasts only for a few hours
Grannick’s Bitter Apple
Deters Chewing and Gnawing Tendencies Among Dogs
Grannick’s Bitter Apple is the best dog repellent for furniture that is particularly effective in controlling your pets’ tendency to gnaw and bite on things. It contains water, bitter extracts, and isopropanol, a non-toxic substance with a strong alcoholic odor.
All you have to do is point and spray on areas that your dog constantly chews on, and he will eventually find it tasting too bitter and unsavory. You can spray furniture, toys, and electronic appliances that your pet might find tasty. And since this product is non-toxic, you could also apply this to your skin or anywhere in your body, though you have to be careful not to ingest it.
Why We Like It:
- Safe and easy to use
- Very effective in keeping your pets away from furniture
- Great in training your pet to stop biting
What We Don’t Like:
- Only lasts for a short period of time
- Ineffective in large and open areas
SABRE Maximum Strength Protector Pepper Spray
Highly Effective but Safe Pepper-Formulated Deterrent
The SABRE Pepper Spray is another pepper-based spray that helps deter animals for your protection. It contains 1% capsaicinoids – the maximum amount the EPA would allow for a pepper spray.
It is very safe and easy to use. Just like any other pepper spray, all you have to do is to point and spray at the target. However, you also have to point it directly at the animal’s face to be effective.
If successfully sprayed at the target, it can induce irritation and confusion, giving you time to escape. SABRE Pepper Spray has an effective range of 15 feet and can deliver 7 bursts per second to prevent wind blow-back.
Why We Like It:
- Safe and effective in deterring animals
- Offers a comfortable reach of 15 feet
- Properly secured safety lock
What We Don’t Like:
- Only effective against a single target
- Have to be directly sprayed at the face of the animal
- May not be effective against rabid animals
Quit It! DRP-PT-1000 118ml Instant Pet Training Spray
Chemical-Free Spray Perfect for Training
Quit It! is a compressed air pet trainer that releases a hissing sound. It only contains compressed air and is not toxic.
It works by releasing a hissing sound that resembles that of a hissing animal like a snake or geese. It is very compact, and you can easily carry this around while you’re walking your dog. To train your dog, all you have to do is press the nozzle as your dog is barking or stealing something to interrupt them. That way, they will know that what they’re doing is bad.
Why We Like It:
- Ideal in stopping your pets’ bad behavior
- Works as an effective training tool
What We Don’t Like:
- Can only be used several times
- The nozzle comes off very easily
Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Repellent
Compact Yet Powerful Repellent Device
The Dazer II is an ultrasonic dog repellent that relies on technology. It deters dogs by emitting a high-frequency sound that irritates and confuses a dog. Unlike other audio deterrents on the market, Dazer II only emits a sound that can be heard by dogs so that other people won’t be affected when you use it. However, since it relies on a high-frequency sound, the result could be less powerful, and some dogs might not be affected.
Dazer II is very small and compact, so you can just carry it anywhere you go in your pockets. It is powered by an AAAA 9-volt battery that is found inside the device. The battery can be easily replaced by unscrewing the back portion and will generally last up to 6 months of continuous usage.
Why We Like It:
- Compact and can be carried like a remote
- Comes with a battery indicator and belt clip
- Harmless to your pets and other people because the sound can only be heard by animals
What We Don’t Like:
- Only 20 feet of effective range
- Not very powerful
Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler
Sprinkler-Type Deterrent for Your Lawn
The Orbit 62100 is the best dog repellent for your lawn and backyard. It has a built-in sensor that can detect movement. Although this device is quite expensive, it is very popular amongst homeowners because it is very effective in keeping animals out of your backyard.
It comes with smart switching optimization which allows it to switch modes during day or night to conserve water and avoid high energy and water consumption.
The Orbit 62100 is heavy-duty; this means it will last for a long time outside against the elements. It runs on four AA alkaline batteries that will last up to six months. The jet of water can deter animals within the vicinity of 1600 square feet. It also acts as a secondary sprinkler to your lawn and can also connect additional sprinklers.
Why We Like It:
- Humanely repels animals out of your home
- Can detect when it’s night or day to make sure it activates only when you need it
- Can detect the difference between animals and trees to save water
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit too expensive and available only in limited stocks
APlus+ Handheld Dog Repellent
A Handheld Device Perfect for Training Purposes
APlus+ is a handheld ultrasonic gadget that emits a piercing sound that only dogs can hear. It is effective in helping control your pets’ behavioral issues like barking or howling.
It is compact and small like a remote and can be easily carried in your pockets. It is powered by a 9-volt battery and could last up to 6 months of use. One apparent problem with this device is the button is not properly secured and will easily sink down the remote, although it doesn’t emit the sound.
Why We Like It:
- Emits a piercing high-frequency sound that dogs hate
- Small and compact with 6 months of battery life
What We Don’t Like:
- Not effective on all dog breeds
- The button is improperly secured and can easily sink down the remote
FAQs
Q: Does Grannick’s Bitter Apple work with other animals?
A: Yes, Grannick’s Bitter Apple contains bitter contents that proactively repels any animal trying to chew or gnaw on your furniture, your shoes, or anything they find to their liking in your house.
Q: Does every ultrasonic dog repellent work on all dogs?
A: No, some breeds may be immune to certain high-frequency sounds while some ultrasonic repellents work on a different frequency. Therefore, its power and effectiveness will largely be dependent on which frequency the device emits when you use it.
Q: Can you also use HALT against people?
A: Yes, it is technically pepper spray, albeit one that is designed for animals. However, you have to be wary of using HALT against people as it is designed specifically not to hurt animals and are only meant to irritate and confuse them.
Conclusion
Not every dog repellent and deterrent are the same, and while some can be used for training purposes, it’s still ideal to use other training tools such as dog training collars or invisible dog fences for such purpose.
That said, if you’re worried or scared of rabid dogs, then these products mentioned above could definitely help you.