Step by step: how to get rid of dog pee smell indoors and outside
Safety first. Do not clean urine with bleach. Urine contains ammonia, and bleach mixed with ammonia releases toxic fumes. Keep dogs off spots while cleaners are wet, and rinse outdoor products off areas where they lie or lick.
- 1
Blot the puddle right away
Put a thick layer of paper towels on the wet spot, newspaper on top, and stand on it for about a minute. Swap in a dry pad and repeat until almost nothing comes up. On hard floors, wipe the puddle up and dry the seams between boards right away.
- 2
Rinse with cool water and blot again
Spray cool water over the area and blot it up. Avoid hot water and steam on carpet and upholstery, which can set the urine into the fibers for good.
- 3
Soak the spot with enzyme cleaner
Apply enough enzyme cleaner to reach as deep as the urine did, slightly wider than the visible stain. Let it sit for the time on the label, usually at least 10 to 15 minutes and often longer for old spots. The enzymes break down the urine so the odor does not return.
- 4
Let it dry and check with a black light
Blot off the excess and let the spot air dry fully, which can take a day on carpet. Once dry, check the room with a black light in the dark. Treat any other glowing spots the same way.
- 5
Wash the dog bed and blankets
Unzip and wash bed covers, crate pads and blankets in the warmest water the label allows, with a 1 lb box of baking soda added to the detergent. If it still smells after washing, rewash with an enzyme laundry product before drying.
- 6
Clean the crate tray
Take the plastic tray out of the crate and scrub it with dish soap and warm water, then wipe it with enzyme cleaner and let it dry. Wire crates can be hosed down outside.
- 7
Hose down outdoor potty spots
On a patio, deck, concrete run or artificial turf, flush the area with plenty of water at least weekly, more often in hot weather, and scrub with a stiff brush. Then apply an enzyme cleaner labeled for outdoor use or turf and let it soak in.
- 8
Block the spot while you retrain
Put furniture, a plastic runner or the dog’s food bowl over a repeat spot for a few weeks. Take the dog out on a regular schedule and praise it for going outside.
Why does my dog keep peeing in the same spot?
Because the dog can still smell it. Even when you cannot, traces of urine signal “this is the bathroom”, so incomplete cleaning keeps drawing the dog back.
Humane World for Animals says that as long as a pet can smell its own scent, it may keep returning to the accident zone, and advises against ammonia and vinegar because strong chemical odors can encourage a pet to mark the spot again. Its housetraining guide says to clean soiled areas thoroughly to remove scents that might encourage repeat accidents, never to punish a puppy for accidents, and to take young dogs out at least every two hours.
How to get dog pee smell out of each surface
Speed matters most on wood and carpet, where urine soaks in within minutes. Here is what changes from one surface to the next.
| Surface | Method | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet and rugs | Blot, cool rinse, enzyme deep enough to reach the pad | Steam and hot water set the odor |
| Hardwood | Wipe immediately, light enzyme pass, dry the seams | Gray or black marks mean urine reached the wood and it needs sanding and refinishing |
| Vinyl plank and tile | Wipe, enzyme on seams and grout, rinse | Urine can seep under plank edges |
| Couch and dog bed | Wash covers; enzyme on foam; air dry | Foam that stays smelly may need replacing |
| Concrete patio and runs | Hose, scrub, outdoor enzyme product | Porous concrete holds odor in hot weather; repeat weekly |
| Artificial turf | Flush thoroughly, then a turf enzyme cleaner | Urine collects in the infill and base; rinse often |
For floors, see our guides to cleaning hardwood floors and removing stains from carpet. Humane World notes that if urine has soaked into the carpet pad, you may need to replace that section of carpet and pad.
When is dog pee smell a sign of a health problem?
When a house-trained dog suddenly starts having accidents, or the urine smells unusually strong, call your vet. Cleaning will not fix a medical cause.
VCA Animal Hospitals lists a break in house training, urine with a very strong odor, dripping urine, frequent licking of the genitals, and straining as possible signs of a urinary tract infection, and notes that other urinary problems can look the same, so a urinalysis is the usual first test. Older dogs can also develop incontinence that a vet can often treat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a steam cleaner on a urine spot, which sets the smell into carpet and upholstery.
- Cleaning with ammonia or vinegar, which can lead the dog to mark the same place again.
- Wiping the surface of a carpet spot when the urine went into the pad.
- Leaving a puddle on hardwood while you look for a cleaner; wipe it first.
- Scolding the dog after the fact, which teaches it to hide where it pees.
Products that make this easier
Optional. Everything above works with basic supplies; these just save time or effort.
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Indoor enzyme cleaner
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator
An enzyme spray for urine on carpet, upholstery and floors. Soak the spot generously and let it dry; a quick mist will not reach the pad.
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For heavy or old spots
Simple Solution Extreme Stain + Odor Remover
A concentrated enzyme formula sold in large bottles, useful when you have several old spots to treat. Spot test on delicate fabrics first.
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Patios, runs and turf
Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator
Made for pet urine smells on outdoor surfaces such as concrete, turf, decks and kennels. Rinse areas where dogs lie, following the label.
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Rinses carpet spots
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
A small extractor that flushes and pulls urine out of carpet and upholstery. Use cool water, then follow with an enzyme cleaner.
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