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My listing is dog friendly - this is actually the reason I started Airbnb. I travel with two large dogs and stayed at a couple of dog friendly Airbnbs and the experience was so wonderful that I wanted to give back by offering the same to other travelers.
I would like to know what items you offer for dogs at your listing, or if you travel with dogs, what items you would love to see provided.
My home has hardwood floors with throw rugs, so it is easy to clean. I also have a fully fenced decent sized backyard. In the backyard is a doggy cleanup station with bags. I have dog leash hangers by the door. The back doormat and welcome mat have dogs on them.
All of my other dog stuff is only set out if I am expecting dog guests. I have a couple of cute signs (āHome is where the dog isā type things) and I leave out blankets with a note asking pet owners to spread them on couches or beds before allowing pets up there.
I provide dog beds, toys, and bowls with a mat matched to the size/number of dogs expected. I also leave out a little welcome basket with a special dog treat, pawprint patterned dog towels, and laminated sheets with dog friendly restaurants, dog businesses, and a suggested dog day trip.
I also have a dog accident cleanup kit under the sink which has not needed to be used yet!
I do have items ready to put out for cats - a litter box and litter, bowls, and a bag of treats. Havenāt had any cats yet.
Am I missing anything? Is there a way I could better serve guests with pets?
ā¦Forgot to add I also provide wire dog crates if requested.
I think you have everything covered. It sounds wonderful.
The only thing I do that seems a little different is I buy the $3 or less fleece throws from Wal Mart or IKEA and leave one out for them to spread on the bed. Then I tell them to take them with them. I have mostly one nighters and doing everything that you do for one night wouldnāt be cost effective. Trying to wash everything between guests is already challenging enough. I do have dog duvet and shams that I use that are the older model. I take up the nice rug and leave no rug at all unless itās raining outside. In my experience dogs are much more likely to have any accidents on the rug rather than the tile.
We no longer allow dogs because our HOA decided that they werenāt welcome. Shame on them.
But I provided more or less what you do - dog beds, bowls, dog shampoo and towels, those bag thingies, dog welcome treats, local dog info and so on.
During the house tour I also asked guests to put the throws on the sofas. Iād say āIām sure that he/she doesnāt normally go on the furniture but I know how they can get excited when theyāre out of their home routineā¦ā
Many hosts are anti-pet because of the perceived mess but Iāve always found that dog owners left the place in great shape.
@georgiahost I think you and I have talked about it before and we both do the same stuff, even the poopchutes I canāt think of anything else either. I did leave some skunk odor removal stuff out this summer because the city was infested with baby skunks but I also sent a lot of reminders to keep leashed after dark so, fortunately, it was never needed.
I leave a lint roller for all guests anyway but I usually point it out to dog owners because so many have come for weddings and such. It always seems appreciated.
We have a really big backyard so I leave a Chuck-It handle and balls and frisbees and stuff by the backdoor in addition to the āgiftā balls and toys in the apartments.
I make sure to get the dogsā names so they can be mentioned in the welcome message too. When I travel with my dog, the most important thing is that I feel like she is genuinely welcome because some people say they are pet friendly but then they act really uptight about your dog being there.
But I really think you have it covered! Let me know if you think of anything else
Ha! I never have to ask for the dog names. They donāt tell me the boyfriendās name or the wifeās name or whatever, but always the dogās name. āIt will be me and my bf and our rescue dog, Frank.ā
@lawre You are so right! I rarely have to ask I guess. And weāve written more than one welcome note thatās āWelcome John and family and Snickers!ā. I should probably just give in and call him āSnickerās dadā like I would at the dog park.
The poop bags I provide are just old handled grocery store plastic ones. I stuff several otherwise empty kitchen cabinets with them and point them out to guests at check-in. If I forget early on the dog usually reminds me while they are touring the huge back yard!
I also provide a ācotā on the patio stoop. Itās nice and shaded in the evening and provides a good raises vantage point to watch the driveway and neighbors (and Squirrelās and birds that are not being chased at least occasionally).
While I do only go to WalMart if absolutely necessary, because the last few times I went there it took an hour+ (!) to get through the checkout line, I have looked for them there and canāt find them. Iām sure every WalMart is different, but do you know which general section I should search to find them? I would love to lay in a stock of cheap dog blankets!
Iāve thought about leaving dog shampoo and brushes, but I am so picky about my dog shampoo (and would never use a strange brush on my dogs not knowing how well it had been cleaned since the last guests) that I thought it wasnāt worth the effort. Maybe I will put some generic shampoo in the basket though.
This has been my experience. I think most pet owners are so happy to find a welcoming place to stay that they try to leave a good impression!
Another great idea, thanks!
Lol. I write a little welcome card for my guests and it often says āWelcome Sarah and Family and Bonzo & Socks!ā
I get mine year round in the home linens department, I think near the blankets. Around the holidays they get giant bins of them, usually with dogs and cats and holiday themes. Standard price is 2.50 but Iāve seen the ugly ones on clearance for $1. I recently ordered 20 of the Vitmossa throw from IKEA. Those are also $2.50 in the store. The shipping was a very reasonable $10. If you are a IKEA Family member Iāve seen them for as little as $2 each.
To be honest, Iām pretty sure that I could count the number of times itās been used on the fingers of one hand. But guests do appreciate the it - and itās the thought that counts. Most guests who take their animals away on trips with them, rather than kenneling them, are truly bonkers about their pets. (As I am with my own).
So they love top know that their host welcomes and pampers their precious dog, even if they donāt use the stuff provided.
I think thatās very true. Iāve never had a problem with any pets as guests.
Correction: the shipping to my home was $5. I just went to IKEA for a peek and an order with 5 vitmossa throws, 4 coffee mugs and a bath mat is only $5. I thought maybe the throws were cheap shipping due to being unbreakable. Iād heard that IKEA is moving towards the online model. They are cancelling building of new brick and mortar stores and offering more things online. That works great for me, I donāt have a store within 7 hours of me but even if I did, that nearly free shipping would rule out most trips.
I just turned down a $1400 booking for my 3 bedroom cabin because I do no allow dogs. I am furnishing and setting up my new 1 bedroom cabin this weekend and the intention all along was to allow dogs, yet I am still on the fence. I likey will give it a try but I am really worried that I will spend hours vacuuming up dog hair. I intend to have a dog fee but I do not think $20 a night per dog will come close to offsetting the cleaning. Maybe I am overthinking this!
I also think you are overthinking it. First, you can allow pets then not allow them. Itās so much lower risk than having children and yet you did that, didnāt you? Second, it takes no more time to vacuum dog hair than it does any other substance. I find the pros outweigh the cons. Maybe not at your location but I definitely get nights at a higher $$ amount that would probably be vacant if I didnāt allow dogs.
I canāt think of anything else either. I did leave some skunk odor removal stuff out this summer because the city was infested with baby skunks but I also sent a lot of reminders to keep leashed after dark so, fortunately, it was never needed.