I'm repairing a used desk made from black carob (it's harder than white oak to give an idea) which only had a wood wax finish. It's been damaged all around its base by dog urine. The old owner of the desk told me that his dog has peed on it 2-3 times per day for about 2 years, and he used to clean up the mess with pure Clorox.
After sanding for a long time I could take out the wax, besides having removed as much as I could from the impregnated urine in the base (not all unfortunately, if you know about another method apart from water and soap, please tell me!!).
My question is (after all this work) which kind of wood finish would you recommend I apply all over the surface for preventing dog/cat urine staining/discoloring it again? I've read about varnish or polyurethane finishes (water and oil-based) but I still have many doubts (I'm new to restorations).
Edit: I washed the urine impregnated surfaces again, now with a mixture of Clorox lowered with water and sodium bicarbonate. It seems to have worked (I no longer feel smell).