renting to tenants with small dogs

[Anonymous]

Can you ask for proof of training? When we rented with our 25 lb dog, we created a "doggie resume" with references from former landlords, a list of all the obedience and classes we had done, a picture of the dog, and offered to let the landlords meet her ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

I'm a dog owner but hope I never have to make the choice to rent to one. Poop outside and damage inside are not even all you have to worry about. Years ago I owned a house in grad school where I lived in the basement and rented out the upstairs to tenants. I agreed to rent to a sweet young couple who had a tiny dog -- I met the dog, who seemed harmless, and all was well until the first time I had to go upstairs to make a repair when the tenants weren't home. The dog immediately started barking, attacking, and biting like it was rabid. So that was my life as a landlord after that. The tenants had gotten it from a shelter and thought it must have had issues from its former life, so they didn't want to crate it or leave it in the back yard because they thought it would be cruel. I can't really blame them for their perspective -- but what a nightmare for me or any contractor who had to go in the place. Later when I was getting ready to move elsewhere, I had to show it to prospective buyers with the dog attacking them, since the owners weren't always able to come home and take it for a walk. I still can't believe the place sold.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor has an adorable little "hot dog" and I love that dog! But every time it sees me, it pees itself. The first time I met her, she was so excited she peed on my foot. I visited their house the other day and the dog peed on the kitchen floor twice in its excitement to see me.

The dog is house trained, just pees when excited. I don't know if that's common.

[Anonymous]

I have a rental, and decided I would rent to a dog owner in general with extra deposit (non-refundable) I would not concern myself with a pug too much honestly, but I am a dog person. I have rented to a dog person before but the dog was old and died soon after move in, so not much first experience

[Anonymous]

We rent with a large 90lb dog and a cat. Landlord wanted a $500 pet deposit. Neither animal causes any damage to the property inside or out.

[Anonymous]

A 10 yo pug will do nothing but sleep. I doubt you'll even know it's there.

I'd rent to this person and I hate dogs,

[Anonymous]

You will have to replace carpeting if you have it.

When my MIL was planning on buying a home across from us, she and DH went to look at it. DH said there was poop stains on the wall and carpet. From the dogs.

They had 2 teen boys, no small kids.

[Anonymous]

I have two dogs and two boys. No one EVER poops or pees on the carpet. I'm not a neat freak and I can accept that a little day to day dirt happens (within reason). But using the house as a potty? No. Most of the dog owners that I know wouldn't accept that. Even if their dog wound up having a medical problem they would find a way to contain and clean up the mess.

[Anonymous]

We rented to a couple with two 8lb Yorkies and I would never do it again. We were assured the dogs were house trained and did not scratch floors so we agreed to rent the property with an additional pet deposit on top of the security deposit. The tenants were great, always paid on time, no major issues at all, but when they moved out we were greeted with $1500 worth of damage from the dogs. They left bite marks in wood blinds and destroyed a cork floor in the kitchen from not peeing on the pee pads. Granted the damage costs came right out of the security deposit, but the repairs added a week to the normal turn around between tenants, and time is money.

[Anonymous]

My brother and SIL have a 9 year old pug. He has started peeing everywhere in the past year. He used to have free reign but when this started he now gets crated before bed and whenever they leave the house.

[Anonymous]

I would want to talk to any prior landlords from whom he's rented while owning this dog. $500 seems low for a deposit, especially if you're not also asking for higher rent. Also, check with your insurance whether you need any coverage for tenants' pets in terms of liability.

[Anonymous]

I have two small dogs and they are super easy and haven't damaged anything. You can always hire a carpet cleaner or rent one at the grocery store when they more out. At 10 years old, likely all that dog does is eat and sleep.
I'd say go for it, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, up the refundable deposit.

[Anonymous]

My dog tunneled a 5-foot tall hole in the wall of my apartment. Just an example of how much damage a dog can do. Granted, he is larger than a pug, but my landlords were not pleased!

[Anonymous]

That is why I would insist on a crate trained dog only. I would want to meet the owner, the dog and see the crate - that seems reasonable.

People don't expect to leave their dog alone for "too long" a time but traffic/emergencies/work happens, things come up. Bored, frantic dogs can do some very real damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dog tunneled a 5-foot tall hole in the wall of my apartment. Just an example of how much damage a dog can do. Granted, he is larger than a pug, but my landlords were not pleased!

Whoa, what breed was the dog? Pretty impressive.

My 3-year-old 80lb shepherd has occasionally peed (like, 1-2x year) if someone surprises him at the front door, but we've always had hardwood floors so no big deal. Otherwise, he's never chewed or damaged a single thing--but we've spent a ton of time training him.

We recently bought, but when we've rented in the past we paid a $500 pet deposit.