My Private Expertise With The Airbnb Of Canine Parks


Dog on bench at dog park.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

As a longtime canine proprietor, I all the time search methods to maintain my pups entertained and energetic. Occurring the identical previous stroll every day could be boring, so I attempt including new actions and adventures. On a current stroll in my neighborhood, I seen an indication in a yard that stated Sniffspot. I’ve heard of those personal canine parks however have by no means seen one in my space. I made a decision to analyze additional and take a look at one out to see what Sniffspot is all about and if it’s a good choice for my canines.


Sniffspot Evaluation

Sniffspot logo 250

Product Identify: Sniffspot

Product Description: Sniffspot is a web based market the place canine homeowners join with personal canine park hosts.

Abstract

Sniffspot connects canine homeowners with personal canine park hosts. There are a number of parks and safe canine parks of differing sizes with out different canines or individuals current. SniffSpot parks are good for small canines, delicate canines, and canines who want room to coach. 

Professionals

  • Personal canine parks
  • Broad choice of spots
  • Fenced, secure parks
  • Parks for small canines
  • Good for aggressive or anxious canines that can’t go to straightforward canine parks
  • Some parks have particular options like water entry
  • Indoor canine parks
  • Straightforward-to-use app and web site
  • Can earn a living as a bunch

Cons

  • Should pay to entry
  • Not all parks are as high-quality
  • Should meet sure necessities to host
  • No different canines to play with

 

What Is Sniffspot?

Sniffspot filters search screenshot.

Sniffspot describes itself because the Airbnb for canine parks. It launched in 2018 and is a neighborhood market the place property homeowners can lease out their land to be used as a personal canine park. Native individuals lease out their personal yards and land to canine homeowners by the hour. It was began by David Adams and his now spouse Rebecca, who wanted to seek out secure locations for his or her leash-reactive pup to go to the lavatory off-leash. He created a web based web site for canine homeowners to share their yards as secure locations, and it developed into the service it’s at the moment.

Sniffspot places are designed to advertise security and make each canines and homeowners comfy. There’s a buffer between visits, and canines are required to have rabies vaccinations earlier than they’ll go to. This helps maintain the personal canine parks secure for each pup that visits. Whereas there usually are not places in each metropolis, Sniffspot operates nationwide.

Sniffspot could be accessed by an app on Android and iOS or by way of its web site. You possibly can arrange visits, depart evaluations in your previous visits, message hosts, and peruse the knowledge on the weblog. Each the app and web site are simple to make use of, and each hosts and visitors can overview one another.

What Sorts Of Canine Parks Does Sniffspot Have?

Like a short-term trip rental, Sniffspot provides quite a lot of canine park sorts. These embody water parks, fields, agility parks, seashores, climbing trails, absolutely fenced parks, small canine parks, and indoor parks.

As a visitor, you can seek for parks and companies in your space based mostly on options like dimension, distance from you, and fencing. Parks vary in dimension from 1/4 acre to over 10 acres. In my space in Colorado, there are even parks with personal climbing trails as giant as 58 acres. Considered one of my colleagues in North Carolina discovered a canine bar with a fenced-in agility course! So, there actually is one thing for nearly each canine’s wants.

Sniffspot Pricing

Pricing may be very affordable however does vary considerably since it’s set by the host. Some parks cost as little as $5 per canine per hour, whereas others cost over $25 per canine per hour.

My Private Expertise Visiting A Sniffspot

I selected to go to a Sniffspot in an city space that has extra space than my current yard. The spot I picked has a five-star ranking and over 900 evaluations. The property is greater than two acres and is absolutely fenced, with over eight-foot-high chain hyperlink fencing throughout. This Sniffspot location additionally permits visitors to tug into the park and absolutely shut and lock the gate behind them earlier than getting their canines out of their automotive. You’re free to completely load and unload within the security of the fenced park.

Sniffspot entrance sign on fence outside a dog park.
The safe Sniffspot entrance of the park I visited.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

The park itself was exquisitely maintained, with loads of shade out there, together with a picnic desk for human visitors to take a seat on, water for the canines, toys to play with, and a hospitality bin that included treats, wipes, and different requirements.

Small dog in a grassy outdoor dog park with horses in the background.
Falkor loved seeing the horses however was glad there was a fence.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

With a full hour to play and loads of room to discover, my pup had an exquisite time. It took a couple of minutes for him to open up and really feel comfy, however as soon as he did, he was very excited to smell out new hiding spots and take within the thrilling sights and sounds.

Water bowl and tub of supplies at a Sniffspot dog park.
Facilities had been offered on the personal canine park I visited.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

It was among the best canine park experiences we’ve ever had. Throughout my go to, I spoke to the host briefly to be taught extra about his expertise and why he bought began.

Happy dog inside a Sniffspot dog park.
Falkor completely loved himself at this Sniffspot.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

In a nutshell, I bought this property particularly as a spot the place I may practice, situation, and discover a higher “connection” with my Dobermans. Sniffspot confirmed up on one thing I used to be trying to find in the future, and I believed others may get pleasure from my property, too. It has been an important expertise, and I get very optimistic evaluations. It’s nice to share the area. I take advantage of it to coach my canines, and I like to see different individuals with their canines utilizing it.

Jon S., Denver Sniffspot Host

Jon was a superb host and took the time to stroll across the property earlier than and after my go to to make sure the whole lot was clear and secure. Loads of provides had been offered, which by no means occurs on the public canine park. It’s also one of many largest off-leash websites I’ve visited. I’ll completely be again.

What Do I Want To Be A Sniffspot Host?

Nearly any kind of yard or land generally is a Sniffspot, however the most well-liked spots are bigger, absolutely fenced, and utterly personal. That stated, yards which might be unfenced or properties which might be lower than half an acre usually are not all the time high-performing spots. Nevertheless, if there’s a distinctive characteristic, comparable to entry to water, an impediment course, or another particular attribute, you could have extra choices.

There are just a few primary necessities to show your yard into a personal Sniffspot park.

  1. The land should be personal and both owned by you or an area you’ve got full management over.
  2. Visitors can not entry spots by passing by personal residences.
  3. All areas should be freed from hazards to canines that embody toxic vegetation, harmful chemical compounds, electrical fences, for hazards like open swimming swimming pools.
  4. The area should be freed from different canines, home animals, and folks.
  5. If there are home animals current, together with livestock, they should be separated from the Sniffspot.
  6. Any fencing between the park and canines on different properties should not have gaps sufficiently big for canines to make contact by.
  7. Contact between hosts and visitors needs to be organized upfront.
  8. Hosts should not be convicted or at the moment below investigation for sure crimes or be listed on any intercourse offender registry.

This isn’t an inclusive checklist of necessities; there are just a few extra, which you’ll learn in additional element on Sniffspot’s web site.

Is Sniffspot Value It?

I might completely advocate visiting a Sniffspot location in your space. Take your time, analysis the property, and make sure you look particularly for what you need. Whereas some individuals lease out common backyards, there are many bigger areas out there. A number of the bigger ones in mountain areas with climbing trails could be significantly interesting for people who wish to give their pups that off-leash climbing expertise with out the worry of working into different individuals and different canines.

Falkor the dog face up close outside.
Falkor loves visiting Sniffspot’s personal canine parks.
Picture by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.

I frequently take my two pups to the off-leash canine park; nonetheless, it’s not all the time a pleasing expertise. Whereas they each get pleasure from going, my smaller pup, Falkor, a Poodle Beagle combine, is about 25 kilos and will get intimidated when there are a lot of different pups round, particularly greater ones. My different pup, Daisy, a Pitbull Labrador combine, is older and never as comfy being round as a lot exercise as in her youthful years. This has restricted the time she spends on the canine park. Sniffspot is an ideal resolution for each canines’ wants, as they’ll freely run with out worrying about different pups or individuals.

For those who personal a small canine or a pup with anxiousness or different particular wants, Sniffspot generally is a fantastic strategy to give your pup a much less demanding canine park expertise. These are additionally fantastic choices if you wish to practice your pup in canine sports activities and agility and wish extra room to take action.

It’s also a implausible choice for individuals who reside in smaller houses with out yards or flats or if you’re touring and staying in a lodge. Renting out a personal yard for an hour could be a superb strategy to get your pup out of the lodge room or Airbnb and run round exterior in a secure, clear area the place they’re welcome.

Is it Value It To Be A Sniffspot Host?

On the internet hosting facet. Sniffpsot is a authentic and comparatively profitable alternative to share your land and make some extra cash. It isn’t a simple gig, as it is advisable to present a secure, clear expertise for all visitors. Your land requires common repairs and cleansing between every go to. That stated, the hosts I’ve spoken with and researched overwhelmingly report a optimistic expertise and respect the earnings alternative.

Getting Prepared For The Canine Park

Whether or not you’re visiting a personal Sniffspot or heading out to a public canine park, you wish to take just a few steps to make certain your pup is prepared. Your pup should have the ability to comply with primary instructions like sit, cease, heel, keep, come, and no. That is particularly vital as you don’t want your pup to get away from you on the park and never come again or get into an uncomfortable scenario with one other pooch and never reply to you. Together with that, there are some behavioral guidelines like choosing up after your pet’s potty stops, ensuring you carry a water bottle and bowl, and a few dos and don’ts. You possibly can be taught all about this in our information on canine park etiquette.

Why Belief Canine Journal?

Danielle is a canine proprietor with over thirty years of canine care expertise together with a lot of time at canine parks. She has a lifelong dedication to rescuing shelter animals and has given a number of canines a second likelihood at a cheerful life. As knowledgeable researcher, Danielle dedicates herself to offering pet mother and father with probably the most up-to-date, correct, and useful info to assist higher their pets’ lives. Her two candy pups, Falkor and Daisy, are blissful to assist her on this analysis and completely get pleasure from testing out canine parks for her to overview.

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