Housetraining is one of the most challenging times in raising a puppy, for both you and the puppy. While there’s no “fast track” to effective housetraining, you can help your new puppy (or older rescue dog) transition into a potty training routine with potty training sprays. These attractants help your puppy learn where it’s appropriate to eliminate, speeding up the learning process and teaching them to go outside.
Check out our top picks for the bests potty training sprays for dogs, based on reviews from dog owners like you.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
The 7 Best Potty Training Sprays for Dogs
Life stage: Puppy
Size: 16.9 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
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All you have to do is spray the area of your yard where you want your dog to go, then wait. Once finished, reward your dog with praise and treats, teaching it that this is where elimination is appropriate. Used consistently and combined with reward-based training, the spray can shorten training time and teach your dog the right habits. The spray is 16.9 ounces and comes in a convenient, plastic spray bottle. Avoid contact with yours or your dog’s eyes or mucous membranes. Some reviewers noted that they’re not having success with the spray, so results may vary.
Pros
Can shorten training time
Includes a scent cue
Convenient to use
Cons
Results may vary
Nature’s Miracle House-Breaking Potty Training Spray is the best potty training spray for dogs for the money. This spray can shorten housetraining time by teaching your dog the appropriate place to potty using pheromones that are undetectable to you, but powerful to dogs. The spray can be used for both indoors and outdoors, whether you want to train your dog using puppy pads, turf, or your yard.
Can shorten training time
Includes a scent cue
Convenient to use
- Can shorten training time
- Includes a scent cue
- Convenient to use
Results may vary
- Results may vary
Life stage: Puppy
Size: 8 oz, 16 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
The spray is concentrated for a long-lasting formula and contained within a convenient spray bottle that you can keep at home or take along while traveling. You can choose between 8-oz or 16-oz bottles. Spray should be used on the surface you want your dog to use, not on the dog directly, and should only be used by adults. Some reviewers noted that the spray has a pungent smell that isn’t pleasant.
Pros
Pheromone formula
Concentrated and long-lasting
Teaches good habits
Cons
Unpleasant odor
This bundle of Four Paws Pee-Pee Advanced Formula Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator + Wee-Wee Housebreaking Aid Pump Spray is the premium choice for addressing housebreaking and any unpleasant accidents. The bundle includes a potty training spray that uses a clinically formulated spray that attracts puppies and prompts them to go – all you have to do is spritz a training pad or outdoor area, let your dog sniff it, then wait for results. With rewards-based training, this can shorten housebreaking time and improve habits.
Pheromone formula
Concentrated and long-lasting
Teaches good habits
- Pheromone formula
- Concentrated and long-lasting
- Teaches good habits
Unpleasant odor
- Unpleasant odor
Life stage: Puppy
Size: 8 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
In addition to the potty training spray, the bundle comes with Four Paws Pee-Pee Advanced Formula Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator. If your pup has an accident (as happens with housetraining), this spray will remove the stains and odors caused by urine and feces, as well as grass and blood. Housetraining involves not only teaching your pet where is appropriate, but proper accident cleanup to remove the urge to go inside the house. The spray can be used on multiple surfaces, but be sure to spot test first. Though the bundle has a lot of value, it may be overkill for pet owners who just want a convenient spray.
Pros
Bundle with odor eliminator spray and housetraining spray
Addresses both accidents and housetraining
Clinically formulated scent
Cons
Sold as a bundle
Simple Solution Puppy Potty Training Aid is a scientifically formulated potty training spray that encourages puppies to pee in a specific area. Combined with rewards-based training and consistency, the potty training spray can reduce housetraining time. The spray is safe for use around pets and children when used as directed, but it’s important to avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes.
Bundle with odor eliminator spray and housetraining spray
Addresses both accidents and housetraining
Clinically formulated scent
- Bundle with odor eliminator spray and housetraining spray
- Addresses both accidents and housetraining
- Clinically formulated scent
Sold as a bundle
- Sold as a bundle
This spray can be used for indoor or outdoor spaces, so you can use it in your yard or with puppy training pads and turf. Though puppies can smell the cue scent, the spray doesn’t have an overwhelming scent for you. Several reviewers complained that their spray was not sealed properly and leaked in transit.
Pros
Scientifically formulated scent
Helps with housetraining
Indoor or outdoor use
Cons
Poor packaging
- American Kennel Club Naturals Don’t Go There! Lemongrass Scented Dog Training Spray
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Life stage: Puppy
Size: 16 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
The American Kennel Club Naturals Don’t Go There! Lemongrass Scented Dog Training Spray works by deterring your dog from going in inappropriate areas and repeating accidents. This spray uses all-natural ingredients with no dyes, parabens, sulphates, and phthalates, so it’s safe for your pets and children. The pleasant lemongrass scent from natural oils.
Scientifically formulated scent
Helps with housetraining
Indoor or outdoor use
- Scientifically formulated scent
- Helps with housetraining
- Indoor or outdoor use
Poor packaging
- Poor packaging
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Life stage: Puppy
Size: 16 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
Keep in mind that this spray is used to deter elimination in specific areas, particularly after an accident, rather than enticing your dog to use the yard or puppy pads. It doesn’t contain an attractant like the other sprays on this list. It can be used as a complement to housetraining by discouraging urination in your house. Reviewers noted that it didn’t deter their dogs, however.
Pros
Deters repeat accidents
All-natural ingredients
Cons
May not work
Not a housetraining attractant
PetSafe Skip To My Loo House Dog Training Scent spray is helpful for guiding your dog to the appropriate spot where you need it to go. The specially formulated attractant mimics the scent of urine, giving your dog the “urge” to go where it’s sprayed. You can use the spray in the yard or on a pee pad or turf.
Deters repeat accidents
All-natural ingredients
- Deters repeat accidents
- All-natural ingredients
May not work
Not a housetraining attractant
- May not work
- Not a housetraining attractant
Life stage: Puppy
Size: 125-ml
Bottle material: Plastic
The spray has an easy-to-use liquid applicator and an eco-friendly formula that’s safe for people, pets, and the earth. Like other PetSafe products, the Skip To My Loo House Dog Training Scent spray is made in the US. The spray is appropriate for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Several reviewers said that it didn’t help with housetraining, especially with older dogs.
Pros
Eco-friendly
Convenient formula
Appropriate for all ages
Cons
May not work
NaturVet Potty Here Training Aid is an effective training aid that can be used to teach puppies and adult dogs the appropriate spot for elimination. The spray is convenient and can be used on outdoor potty areas and puppy pads or indoor turf pads. Combined with consistent training and rewards, this spray can shorten housetraining time.
Eco-friendly
Convenient formula
Appropriate for all ages
- Eco-friendly
- Convenient formula
- Appropriate for all ages
May not work
- May not work
Life stage: Puppy
Size: 8 oz, 32 oz
Bottle material: Plastic
This spray has a unique smell that encourages dogs to go, but it is hazardous to humans and animals. Keep out of reach of children and don’t spray your dog directly. Reviewers had mixed results with this spray, and reviewers with older rescue dogs didn’t see good results.
Pros
Teaches housetraining habits
Indoor and outdoor use
Shortens housetraining time
Cons
Mixed results
Hazardous to humans and animals
Teaches housetraining habits
Indoor and outdoor use
Shortens housetraining time
- Teaches housetraining habits
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Shortens housetraining time
Mixed results
Hazardous to humans and animals
- Mixed results
- Hazardous to humans and animals
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Potty Training Spray for Dogs
How to Housetrain Your Puppy
Housetraining is one of the most important training periods for you and your puppy. While people have different expectations for dog’s obedient and training level, few are willing to deal with a dog who pees and poops in the house consistently. Improper housetraining can ruin carpets, flooring, and furniture, not to mention the extra work and awful smell involved.
According to Mary Burch, Ph.D, of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs, there are several methods for training a puppy, including crate training and paper training. Frequent visits outside can help with the housetraining process by giving you opportunities to praise your puppy for appropriate peeing and pooping outside.
Generally, puppies can be expected to hold their bladder and bowels for around one hour per month. So, a three-month-old puppy can hold it for three hours, a four-month-old puppy for four hours, and so on. But this timing can vary between the puppies.
A housetraining schedule can be effective for developing habits. Your puppy should go outside or to the appropriate indoor potty area at these times:
First thing in the morning
Right before bed
After playing inside
After time in the crate
After waking from a nap
After chewing on a toy
After eating and drinking
The more opportunities you give your dog to go outside, the more you can reinforce good behavior and prevent accidents.
First thing in the morning
Right before bed
After playing inside
After time in the crate
After waking from a nap
After chewing on a toy
After eating and drinking
- First thing in the morning
- Right before bed
- After playing inside
- After time in the crate
- After waking from a nap
- After chewing on a toy
- After eating and drinking
The idea behind a potty training spray is that it can encourage your dog to go in specific spots, ensuring that you have an opportunity to praise your dog. A deterrent spray is formulated with scents that deter your pup from going in that area. An odor eliminator is used to clean up accidents and remove any lingering scent – even one you can’t smell – and discourage repeated use.
Sprays can have powerful scents, but remember that they are intended for short-term use. They’re a complement to housetraining, so once your dog is fully housebroken, you may not need to use them anymore.
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Conclusion
Featured Image Credit: salofoto, Pixabay
