5 tips for successful house hunting as a dog parent

House hunting as a dog parent poses challenges. Many rentals won’t take pets or charge high fees. Do your research and take your time to find the right home.

House hunting as a dog parent can be a unique experience. This is because you have to focus on details that you may not be used to considering. So, if you haven’t undertaken such a task before, you may be a bit puzzled about where to begin.

After all, not only do you need to find the right home for yourself, you must also select a space where your pup can be comfortable. The good news is that this process doesn’t have to be as difficult as you imagine it to be. Thus, if you want your house hunting to go as smoothly as possible, these are the tips you should keep in mind:

Start Your Search Early

You shouldn’t wait until the last moment to start looking for a new home. Since there will be more elements to consider, you will often find that the process takes a little longer. Thus, if you don’t want you and your pup to end up without a place to live, give yourself plenty of leeway. As a bonus, it also means that you will not have to make too many compromises out of desperation during your search.

Tell Your Real Estate Agent About Your Dog

You would think that most real estate agents ask their clients about pets. However, this isn’t the case at all. This is why many agents may end up finding homes that are just not suitable for a pooch, especially a larger breed.

To avoid any confusion, let your real estate agent know about your dog right away. They will then be able to keep an eye out on homes or buildings that are pet-friendly. As you can imagine, this can make it much easier to find the perfect spot for you and your pooch.

Pick the Right Online Tools

Of course, there is a good chance that your search for a home will be taking place online. In this case, make sure to use the right websites. Focus on the sites that allow you to focus on pet-friendly housing. This way, you won’t waste time calling up each listing and confirming whether they allow dogs or not.

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Improve Your Rental Chances

Now, you may discover that there aren’t too many places around that allow pets. So, how do you get around this pesky obstacle? Fortunately, there are a couple of options available to you.

First of all, can your pup be considered an emotional support animal? If so, you may want to get them certified by an agency such as USServiceAnimals as proof. Many landlords are less reluctant to allow dogs if they know that they are essential for your emotional or mental wellbeing. Not to mention, most of these pups are often seen as being better behaved as well.

Another thing that you can do is to get a pet referral. Yes, this may sound a little ridiculous, but it can put a potential landlord’s mind at ease. So, get a letter from your vet, your current landlord, or anyone else in the position to offer a referral for your pooch. If your dog has graduated from a behavioral course, then make sure to provide evidence for this as well.  

Another thing you can do is to talk to your potential landlord about getting renter’s pet insurance. In doing so, you can prove to the individual that you can cover the costs, should there be any kind of damage or issues related to your dog.   

Know the Criteria

Just because a home or a housing unit makes allowances for pets doesn’t mean that it is the right one for your pup. This is why it is essential to examine every home with your pooch firmly in mind.

If you have a bigger dog, space is naturally rather valuable. Of course, even a smaller pup needs his or her own space. After all, you need a place to set up their bed, toys, food and water bowls, and more. Thus, you should avoid opting for a home that is on the smaller side.

It is also a good idea to consider how easy it is for your pooch to get in and out of your home. For instance, are there tricky stairs getting in their way? If so, moving around may be a problem for them.

If possible, lots of outdoor space would be nice, but this isn’t necessary. You can make up for the lack of a garden or backyard with lots of walks and other forms of exercise. However, if there is an outdoor area, make sure that it is safe for your pup.

Now, it isn’t just the house and property that you need to investigate. You should also take a close look at the surrounding neighborhood. This will give you a better idea of just how pet-friendly it is. After all, you don’t want to keep your pooch anywhere that he or she isn’t welcome. One way to figure this out is to determine just how many other dogs live there. If there are many, this is undoubtedly a good sign.

Be Prepared for a Higher Security Deposit

There are some things that you may not be able to avoid as a dog parent. A higher security deposit is one of those things. Even pet-friendly rentals may require some form of insurance. This is something that you should be prepared to pay.

At the same time, take pictures of the dwelling before you move in. This includes the doors, tiles, walls, and virtually every inch of the space. In particular, document any existing problems or flaws and point them out to the landlord. Thus, if the landlord tries to fleece you when you are moving out, you will have the proof that you need to back up your claims regarding your pup’s good behavior.

There is no denying that house hunting as a dog parent may be a bit tricky. However, now that you have these tips to guide you, the process should be a great deal easier to manage. All that is left to do is to put them into practice. Happy house hunting!

*DogsBestLife.com participates in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 

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