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The 5 Minute Dog by Personable Pets Dog Training

#117 It's not just water

April 21, 2025 • Personable Pets Dog Training • Season 2 • Episode 117

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When urine hits a surface—like carpet, hardwood, tile, or even concrete—it begins to break down. The water part of it evaporates, sure, but what’s left behind is a whole different problem. That’s where the real trouble starts: urine crystals.

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You know, a lot of people assume that urine is just… pee. A liquid. Something that’ll just evaporate or wash away with a quick wipe. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: urine isn’t actually just a liquid. Not entirely.

When urine hits a surface—like carpet, hardwood, tile, or even concrete—it begins to break down. The water part of it evaporates, sure, but what’s left behind is a whole different problem. That’s where the real trouble starts: urine crystals.

These crystals are formed from uric acid, which doesn’t dissolve easily in water. As the urine dries, these crystals bind to surfaces, sinking into carpet fibers, seeping into floorboards, even clinging to porous tile grout. And the problem is, we can’t see them. But your dog? Oh, your puppy can smell them.

To your puppy, that dried spot still smells like a great place to go. Because those crystals are like little neon signs in scent—they’re saying, “Hey, this is the bathroom.” So even if you’ve cleaned the area, maybe even scrubbed it with soap or sprayed something that smells clean to you, that won’t matter unless you’re using the right kind of cleaner. And by “right kind,” I mean enzymatic.

Enzymatic cleaners are specifically designed to break down those uric acid crystals at a molecular level. The enzymes actually digest the crystals—yes, eat them—so that they’re no longer detectable. No smell for you, and more importantly, no smell for your dog. That’s what breaks the cycle.

So if you’re potty training a puppy and wondering why they keep going back to the same exact spot—even though you cleaned it—this is probably why. Water won’t do it. Soap might even make it worse by masking the scent for you, but leaving the crystals intact underneath.

This is why pet owners, especially new ones, need to look beyond the surface. You’re not just dealing with a little puddle. You’re dealing with chemical compounds that bond to your home in invisible but very smelly ways, at least to your dog.

So next time your pup has an accident, don’t just reach for the paper towels and whatever cleaner is under the sink. Grab something enzymatic. Target those crystals. Because until you do, your puppy’s nose will always lead them right back to the same spot.