How to Rent a House If You Own a Dog

You can’t buy your own home for whatever reason…probably money…but you don’t want to live in an apartment…and you certainly don’t want to give up your dog…he or she is a cherished member of your family. What do you do? Rent a house that welcomes (or at least tolerates) Rover, of course.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• A car
• Pen and paper
• Persistence
• A strong will

1. Search websites such as rent.com for rental houses that allow pets, and also search realtors that are pet friendly. Any realtor will know whether a property allows pets, which is a head start. Often the best approach is to drive up and down streets in a neighborhood that you are interested in and take down the phone numbers of houses that have “for lease” signs.
2. Look for a house with a fenced or gated yard. Your dog will have a place to exercise which may lessen the chance of him doing damage inside.
3. Keep an eye on the dog when he’s out in the yard and observe any areas where he starts to dig holes or dig up plants. Section off these areas with wire mesh held up by metal posts. It's simple and inexpensive, which is what you want for a rental. If possible, provide him with his own digging area and cover it with loose soil or sand.
4. Water the grass frequently if your dog urinates in the yard, and if possible, do it right after he does it. Dogs have a high concentration of nitrogen in their urine which can discolor and kill grass. Small areas of dead grass will often regenerate over time; however, you can also re-seed the grass after it has been damaged. You might want to consider training the dog to eliminate in a designated area of the yard and landscape it with a surface that the dog finds acceptable such as pea gravel or mulch. You can also include a marking post for a male dog such as a lawn ornament or birdbath.
5. Have a scooper on hand for cleaning up dog poop.
6. Form a buffer between the fence and grass with a substance such as mulch or rocks if the dog is wearing out a path on the lawn.
7. Keep a pet stain/odor remover on hand if the house has carpeting. There are good products on the market containing natural enzymes.
8. Keep your dog's nails trimmed if there are hardwood floors.
9. Make sure blinds are raised to a height where the dog can’t jump up and cause damage, especially when you’re away.
10. Dog proof the inside of the house in accordance with your dog’s destructive habits. For instance, if he likes to chew or scratch the door or door trim while you’re gone, nail up two strips of vinyl, one on the edge of the door and the other alongside it on the trim. The strips should come up within a few inches of the doorknob and only need to be approx. 2 to 3 inches wide (this is normally the area they scratch because it's the point of exit).

Tips & Warnings

• Most landlords will require an extra pet deposit. Find out if a portion of it is non-refundable and what constitutes normal wear and tear. Make sure it is clearly stated in the lease.
• It's a good idea to have your dog meet the landlord, so there are no surprises later on.
• If your dog engages in destructive behavior, consider obedience school and a professional trainer.
• Be upfront with the landlord about the dog’s size/weight and how many dogs will actually be taking up residence. They will find out sooner or later.
• There are dietary supplements on the market that claim to alter a dog’s urine pH to prevent grass burn. There’s debate as to the effectiveness, as well as the risk of serious health problems. Always check with a veterinarian before considering this.