DIY Bitter Apple Spray: Truffle's Terrific Taste-Bud Tamer to the Rescue
Okay, so here I was, innocently (ish) gnawing on my human's favourite leather loafers (hey, they smelled delicious!), when suddenly I was hit with a spray that made my taste buds do an Olympian-worthy backflip. Let me tell you, that stuff is a never-again-go-zone! But I get it (sorta), if I put myself in my human’s furless skin. Those loafers do look (uh, looked) very nice.
Quick Sniffs
Homemade bitter spray is cost-effective and safe
It's quick and easy to make, and incredibly effective!
Can be used on furniture or directly on your dog
Customisable to (NOT!) suit your pup's taste preferences
Digging Deeper - Here’s the recipe for this devilishly effective DIY spray
It’s easier to whip up this spray than to steal socks from the laundry basket (and trust me, I'm an expert at both!) It’s a fantastic deterrent, but if you’re using it on wood, pay extra attention to the instructions!
And hey, if your dog has a licking problem, whether it’s a tiny wound or a skin issue they won’t leave alone (I’m looking at you, Emmett), this is your go-to solution. This spray isn’t just for furniture – it’s for self-chewing too. So, put down that shoe, eh, I mean chew toy, and let's get mixing!
Truffle's Terrific Taste-Bud Tamer (also known as Bitter Apple Spray)
Ingredients
White vinegar (the smelly stuff that makes you wrinkle your nose)
Apple cider vinegar (not the fancy kind, we're not making a salad dressing here!)
Water
Optional: Lemon juice or a pinch of cayenne pepper (for those extra stubborn chewers)
Equipment
Measuring cup (or just eyeball it, we're dogs not scientists!)
Spray bottle (recycled is fine, we're eco-friendly pooches)
Funnel (optional, but recommended for clumsy paws)
Instructions
1. Pour 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part apple cider vinegar into your spray bottle. For example, 2/3 cup white vinegar and 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar.
2. If you're planning to use this on your furry friend directly (or on fancy wooden furniture), add an equal part of water to dilute. So, add another 2/3 cup of water in our example.
3. For extra oomph, add a squirt of lemon juice or a pinch of cayenne pepper. But beware, some of us actually like lemon (weird, I know), so test it out first! Oh, and if you do add lemon juice, store it in the fridge.
4. That’s it! Mix. Pour. Shake, shake, shake. Spray.
Now, a word of caution from a dog who's been on the receiving end of this concoction: it's not harmful, but boy oh boy, does it pack a punch! You might see some dramatic reactions with the relevant facial expressions, like: "Why would you do this to me, human? Why??? I thought we were friends!"
But don't worry, we get over it quickly. Just be prepared for some Oscar-worthy performances of disgust and betrayal.
Remember, you'll need to reapply this magical mixture regularly. We dogs may be stubborn, but we're also optimistic. We always hope that maybe THIS time, it'll taste like bacon!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important business to attend to... like figuring out how to open the fridge without your opposable thumbs!
Happy deterring,
Truffle 🐾
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About
Hi there, I’m Truffle (aka Truffbear, Truffito, Truffkin, Trufflenose, Baron von Truffy … and a million more. What can I say, my human loves me). I’ve been called a philosopher of sorts, with a keen nose for treats (did someone say chicken?) and a knack for solving the perplexing intricacies of canine-human relations.
Read more about me and…