According to a survey, 15 percent of dog owners in the United States say their pets have been attacked at dog parks. As someone whose Pit Bull, Otter, was attacked by another dog in the park, I can attest to that happening. Well, now we don’t have to worry. A new company called Sniffspot is changing the game for dogs and their owners, allowing them to rent out private yards to play and explore without being threatened by humans or other pets.
David Adams, founder of Sniffspot, said: “It was my wife’s idea. “We were dating at the time and she was on a business trip with her dog, Toshii. She was in Baltimore and worked odd hours, so she took him out of the hotel late at night for a bathroom break. She wanted to release him from the leash, but she worried he would chase the deer, not to mention general safety concerns. She texted me, ‘There has to be a better way. I wish there was an app where I could find private places for his bathroom breaks! ‘ And that was the idea for Sniffspot. “
Today, more than 8,000 people have signed up on the Sniffspot app to rent out their yard to dogs and their owners. Here’s how it works: You go to the app or website and search for nearby Sniffspots. You can choose options like whether or not to have a full fence, its size, and whether you can see or hear other dogs. Then you consider your options, choose the best one, rent it and get started with your pet dog. Most rentals cost between $5 and $15 per hour. This is a great opportunity for your dog to get outside and experience the world on its own terms — and on your own —.
One trainer says Sniffspot provides dogs and humans with a better opportunity to get into nature and reduce decompression time.
“Dog trainers and experts really recommend [decompression walks] because the modern world and city life is not something our dogs adapt to easily,” says Seattle-based dog trainer Michelle Reindal. “We put these expectations on them being able to live in apartments, to be on a 6-foot leash and to walk around the block and be satisfied with that. I mostly work with clients whose dogs have big feelings about things in their environment. They bark, rush, and encounter things they fear or disappoint. Sniffspot really offers people the stress-free experience of walking the neighborhood. [They’re] just get out and let their dog explore nature without having to be overly alert to their surroundings. “
Sniffspots can range in size from a simple city backyard to something fenced in 20 acres in the country. Some of them have a long river going through the property, and others are stocked with agility courses and Puppy swimming pool. Some spots also allow multiple dogs, so your dog can throw a small party with their friends. And almost every place used is considered. Adams notes that there is a five-star rating system, and that reviews can include things like fences, yards, and location cleanliness. Guests are also rated by the host, and anyone who violates the safety rules or has a consistently low rating may be removed from the platform.
For city dwellers who wonder why Sniffspot is a thing when dog parks are so widely available, this is a much better option, says Reindal.
“There are a lot of unknowns at dog parks,” she said. “There are dogs that can certainly enjoy a dog park, but pro-social dogs are not the norm for adult dogs. Most dogs are selective, and most people don’t know much about dog body language. When you take your dog to a dog park, you are running into people and dogs that might not be the right fit. Dog parks are a breeding ground for your dog to have a bad experience, especially if you’re not careful with your dog’s body language. With Sniffspot it’s a controlled environment you can choose your dog’s friends and it’s a much more appropriate choice for adult dogs. “
Sniffspot is slowly spreading from the West Coast and its Seattle base across the country. Adams’ view for the future is to have Sniffspots within walking distance of every dog, so each can have a healthier, safer choice for walks and play.
Trainers like Reindal think it’s a great idea.
“The city life we live in and everything that’s going on is just a constant stimulus,” says Reindal. “In the broader sense of the big picture, it really is a great choice for both humans and dogs.”
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