What should I do first when my dog pees on the deck?

The AKC says: Regardless of what your dog has peed on, your best course of action is to act fast. On lawns, it says: To the extent possible, rinse off where your dog pees using a hose. None of the deck or wood sources we checked mention urine, dogs or pets.

How do I stop my dog peeing on the deck?

Humane World for Animals says: Choose a consistent bathroom spot outside and always take your puppy there on a leash. The AKC says: The easiest way is a training methodology known as capturing, where you add a verbal cue as your dog is already going potty.

Dog Pee on a Wood Deck: Cleaning and Smell

Q: How do I clean a wood deck?

A University of Kentucky extension article says: Twice a year, lightly scrub your deck using a solution of warm water and a few squirts of liquid dishwashing detergent and a stiff-bristle brush. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says: Scrubbing your deck with warm soapy water will remove dirt.

Q: Can I pressure wash a cedar deck?

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says: Power washers can seriously damage cedar deck surfaces. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory says: Aggressive scrubbing with a caustic cleaner or power washing can remove wood from the surface, particularly on softer wood such as western redcedar.

Q: How do I clean a composite deck?

Follow your board maker's guide. Trex says: The affected area should be sprayed off with a hose to remove surface debris. Use warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris from the embossing pattern.

Your dog keeps peeing on the deck. How to rinse it off, clean wood and composite boards the way deck sources describe, what to avoid, refinishing, and teaching your dog to use a spot in the yard instead.

First: rinse it off soon

The AKC says: "Regardless of what your dog has peed on, your best course of action is to act fast." It also warns: "Lingering scent can draw your dog back to the same area, reinforcing accidents."

On lawns, the AKC says: "To the extent possible, rinse off where your dog pees using a hose." That advice is about grass, but a garden hose is also part of routine deck care in the deck sources below.

None of the deck or wood sources we checked mention urine, dogs or pets. The steps below are their general deck care advice.

Sources: AKC, How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet; AKC, Why Does Dog Pee Kill Grass.

Routine cleaning for a wood deck

A University of Kentucky extension article says: "Twice a year, lightly scrub your deck using a solution of warm water and a few squirts of liquid dishwashing detergent and a stiff-bristle brush." It also says: "Occasionally sweep or hose foliage and other large debris off your deck."

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says: "It is a good practice, to clean your deck once a year, in the spring, to remove dirt, mildew and other forms of dis-coloration." And: "Scrubbing your deck with warm soapy water will remove dirt". Its page goes on to mildew products we do not cover here.

Sources: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Caring for your wooden deck (Word file); Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Decking Care & Maintenance.

Composite boards are different

For composite decking, follow your board maker's guide. Trex says: "The affected area should be sprayed off with a hose to remove surface debris. Use warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris from the embossing pattern."

Trex also says: "RINSE THOROUGHLY. If dirty water from cleaning is left to dry, a film will remain on the decking surface." Its advice differs by product line, so check which Trex boards you have.

Source: Trex, How To Clean Composite Decking.

What to avoid: pressure washers and harsh cleaners

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says: "Power washers can seriously damage cedar deck surfaces" and that "this type of cleaning is NOT recommended for cedar decks or any other cedar product."

The USDA Forest Products Laboratory says: "Aggressive scrubbing with a caustic cleaner or power washing can remove wood from the surface, particularly on softer wood such as western redcedar." On commercial deck cleaners, the cedar association adds: "Some of these deck cleaners may actually remove wood from the weathered cedar surface and therefore you should take care when using them."

Not every source rules power washing out. The Kentucky article says for a more thorough cleaning every couple of years "you can power spray" if you are handy with tools. For its composite lines Transcend, Enhance and Select, Trex allows "A pressure washer with no greater than 3100 psi" with a fan tip "no closer than 8 in. (203 mm) from the decking surface."

Sources: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Decking Care & Maintenance; USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Finishes for Wood Decks (PDF); University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Caring for your wooden deck; Trex, How To Clean Composite Decking.

Dark spots or discoloration on the wood

No source we checked says whether dog urine darkens or stains deck boards. The Kentucky article links darkening to trapped debris and damp: "Keep debris from collecting in the gaps and joints. This allows the wood to stay dry by exposing it to the sun and air. Otherwise, pressure-treated wood may darken and mildew while other woods may rot and eventually require replacement."

If spots stay after routine cleaning, follow the wood or deck maker's guidance.

Source: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Caring for your wooden deck.

Gaps between boards and under the deck

No source we checked covers urine that runs between the boards or onto the ground or framing under the deck. For general care, the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says: "Eliminate all debris from between deck boards. Dirt and leaves can build up, causing standing water or other moisture to stay on top of the deck rather than drain through." It also says: "A deck that dries after wetting will last longer than one that stays damp."

If the smell seems to come from the soil or patio below, see why your yard smells like dog pee and dog pee smell on concrete or a patio.

Sources: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Prepare Your Deck for Winter; Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Decking Care & Maintenance.

Smell on hot days

No source we checked says whether urine smell on a deck gets stronger in hot weather. If the smell returns after you have cleaned, see pet urine smell came back after cleaning.

Refinishing and sealing

The Forest Products Laboratory says: "Applying an additional finish to wood decks will minimize the problems of cracking, raised grain, and mildew growth." And: "Penetrating finishes are recommended for use on wood decks." It warns: "Film-forming finishes, such as paints and solid-color stains, are prone to trap moisture and fail by peeling."

On timing, it says: "The service life of a WRP finish is about 1 year on the exposed surfaces of wood decks", and "Most decks are retired because of cracks and checks that mostly could have been avoided by timely finishing." After cleaning, "If the deck is to be finished after cleaning, allow at least 2 warm, windy days to dry."

The Kentucky article adds: "Ideally, wooden decks should be refinished in the fall, if needed, and kept clear of snow and ice during the winter." And: "Time your work to avoid direct sunlight when applying the finish." No source we checked says whether a finish protects wood from urine.

Sources: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Finishes for Wood Decks; University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Caring for your wooden deck.

Teach your dog to use a spot in the yard

Humane World for Animals says: "Choose a consistent bathroom spot outside and always take your puppy there on a leash." And: "Keep your puppy on a leash in the yard during the housebreaking process, treating the yard like any other room in the house." For accidents elsewhere: "When cleaning up accidents outside the designated potty area, place the soiled paper towels or rags in the appropriate spot to help your puppy associate the scent with the correct bathroom location."

The AKC says you can teach a cue: "The easiest way is a training methodology known as capturing, where you add a verbal cue as your dog is already going potty."

The ASPCA says to praise success: "Lavish her with praise, affection and some yummy treats!" And: "But a dog will not learn anything by being scolded for a past accident, even one a few minutes old. Just clean it up and soldier on."

Humane World for Animals also says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes."

For repeat spots and marking, see why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot and dog marking indoors. If your yard has fake grass, see dog pee smell on artificial turf.

Sources: Humane World for Animals, How to Potty Train a Puppy; AKC, Teach Your Dog to Potty on Cue; ASPCA, House Training Your Dog or Puppy; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for wood decks; for the deck, follow the deck or wood maker's care guidance above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.