As a longtime canine proprietor, I all the time search methods to maintain my pups entertained and lively. 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 observed an indication in a yard that mentioned Sniffspot. I’ve heard of those non-public canine parks however have by no means seen one in my space. I made a decision to research additional and take a look at one out to see what Sniffspot is all about and if it’s a good possibility for my canines.
Sniffspot Evaluation
Product Title: Sniffspot
Product Description: Sniffspot is a web-based market the place canine homeowners join with non-public canine park hosts.
Abstract
Sniffspot connects canine homeowners with non-public canine park hosts. There are a number of parks and safe canine parks of differing sizes with out different canines or folks current. SniffSpot parks are excellent for small canines, delicate canines, and canines who want room to coach.
Professionals
- Non-public canine parks
- Vast number of spots
- Fenced, protected 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 make cash as a number
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 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 folks lease out their non-public 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 protected locations for his or her leash-reactive pup to go to the toilet off-leash. He created a web-based web site for canine homeowners to share their yards as protected locations, and it developed into the service it's at the moment.
Sniffspot areas are designed to advertise security and make each canines and homeowners snug. There's a buffer between visits, and canines are required to have rabies vaccinations earlier than they will go to. This helps preserve the non-public canine parks protected for each pup that visits. Whereas there aren't areas in each metropolis, Sniffspot operates nationwide.
Sniffspot could be accessed by means of an app on Android and iOS or through its web site. You'll be able to arrange visits, go away opinions in your previous visits, message hosts, and peruse the data on the weblog. Each the app and web site are straightforward to make use of, and each hosts and friends can evaluation one another.
What Sorts Of Canine Parks Does Sniffspot Have?
Like a short-term trip rental, Sniffspot affords a wide range of canine park sorts. These embrace water parks, fields, agility parks, seashores, mountaineering trails, totally fenced parks, small canine parks, and indoor parks.
As a visitor, you can seek for parks and companies in your space primarily based 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 non-public mountaineering trails as giant as 58 acres. Certainly 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 could be very cheap 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 opinions. The property is greater than two acres and is totally fenced, with over eight-foot-high chain hyperlink fencing throughout. This Sniffspot location additionally permits friends to drag into the park and totally shut and lock the gate behind them earlier than getting their canines out of their automotive. You might be free to completely load and unload within the security of the fenced park.
Photograph 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 friends to sit down on, water for the canines, toys to play with, and a hospitality bin that included treats, wipes, and different requirements.
Photograph 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 a beautiful time. It took a couple of minutes for him to open up and really feel snug, however as soon as he did, he was very excited to smell out new hiding spots and take within the thrilling sights and sounds.
Photograph by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.
It was probably the greatest 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.
Photograph 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 might prepare, situation, and discover a higher “connection” with my Dobermans. Sniffspot confirmed up on one thing I used to be looking for in the future, and I assumed others may get pleasure from my property, too. It has been an important expertise, and I get very optimistic opinions. It’s nice to share the area. I take advantage of it to coach my canines, and I like to see different folks with their canines utilizing it.
– Jon S., Denver Sniffspot Host
Jon was a wonderful host and took the time to stroll across the property earlier than and after my go to to make sure all the things was clear and protected. Loads of provides have been offered, which by no means occurs on the public canine park. Additionally it is one of many largest off-leash websites I’ve visited. I'll completely be again.
Take a look at the video beneath of Falkor’s go to to a Denver-area Sniffspot.
What Do I Want To Be A Sniffspot Host?
Nearly any sort of yard or land could be a Sniffspot, however the most well-liked spots are bigger, totally fenced, and utterly non-public. That mentioned, yards which are unfenced or properties which are lower than half an acre aren't all the time high-performing spots. Nevertheless, if there's a distinctive function, equivalent to entry to water, an impediment course, or another particular attribute, you'll have extra choices.
There are a couple of primary necessities to show your yard into a personal Sniffspot park.
- The land should be non-public and both owned by you or an area you have got full management over.
- Visitors can not entry spots by passing by means of non-public residences.
- All areas should be freed from hazards to canines that embrace toxic crops, harmful chemical substances, electrical fences, for hazards like open swimming swimming pools.
- The area should be freed from different canines, home animals, and other people.
- If there are home animals current, together with livestock, they should be separated from the Sniffspot.
- Any fencing between the park and canines on different properties should not have gaps large enough for canines to make contact by means of.
- Contact between hosts and friends needs to be organized prematurely.
- Hosts should not be convicted or at the moment underneath investigation for sure crimes or be listed on any intercourse offender registry.
This isn't an inclusive checklist of necessities; there are a couple of extra, which you'll learn in additional element on Sniffspot’s web site.
Is Sniffspot Price It?
I might completely suggest visiting a Sniffspot location in your space. Take your time, analysis the property, and make sure to look particularly for what you need. Whereas some folks lease out common backyards, there are many bigger areas out there. A number of the bigger ones in mountain areas with mountaineering trails could be significantly interesting for people who wish to give their pups that off-leash mountaineering expertise with out the concern of operating into different folks and different canines.
Photograph by Danielle DeGroot for Canine Journal, © Cowl Story Media, Inc. 2024.
I repeatedly take my two pups to the off-leash canine park; nonetheless, it isn't 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 larger ones. My different pup, Daisy, a Pitbull Labrador combine, is older and never as snug 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 answer for each canines’ wants, as they will freely run with out worrying about different pups or folks.
For those who personal a small canine or a pup with anxiousness or different particular wants, Sniffspot could be a great method to give your pup a much less hectic canine park expertise. These are additionally great choices if you wish to prepare your pup in canine sports activities and agility and wish extra room to take action.
Additionally it is a improbable possibility for individuals who stay in smaller houses with out yards or flats or in case you are touring and staying in a lodge. Renting out a personal yard for an hour could be a wonderful method to get your pup out of the lodge room or Airbnb and run round outdoors in a protected, clear area the place they're welcome.
Is it Price It To Be A Sniffspot Host?
On the internet hosting aspect. Sniffpsot is a official and comparatively profitable alternative to share your land and make some extra cash. It's not a simple gig, as that you must present a protected, clear expertise for all friends. Your land requires common repairs and cleansing between every go to. That mentioned, the hosts I've spoken with and researched overwhelmingly report a optimistic expertise and recognize the revenue alternative.
Getting Prepared For The Canine Park
Whether or not you might be visiting a personal Sniffspot or heading out to a public canine park, you wish to take a couple of steps to make sure 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 essential 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 selecting up after your pet’s potty stops, ensuring you carry a water bottle and bowl, and a few dos and don’ts. You'll be able to 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 probability at a cheerful life. As knowledgeable researcher, Danielle dedicates herself to offering pet mother and father with essentially the most up-to-date, correct, and useful data to assist higher their pets’ lives. Her two candy pups, Falkor and Daisy, are pleased to assist her on this analysis and totally get pleasure from testing out canine parks for her to evaluation.
