Having a reactive dog can be stressful, especially when driving across the country without the ability to stop for exercise at a dog park. Before embarking on our trip, we came across Sniffspot and decided to try it out. Here’s our Sniffspot review.
What Is Sniffspot?
The self-proclaimed “Airbnb for dog parks” lets dog owners rent out private property for their dogs. This can range from small backyards with and without pools to farmland with multiple acres. Filters on the Sniffspot website allow dog owners to tailor their property search depending on their needs, including the size of the property, the type of fencing, and whether other animals or humans are within sight. Like Airbnb, property descriptions include lists of available amenities (ie: drinking water, agility equipment, toys, shade), specific property details (ie: 6ft fencing) and safety rules. Prices differ depending on the property. Reviews and photos are available to help with your decision.
Booking Sniffspot
Similar to Airbnb, the Sniffspot website allows you to browse properties depending on location and amenities. I was initially a little hesitant about using a stranger’s backyard while traveling alone halfway across the country. Thus, I was elated when one of the first properties I stumbled on while browsing the website was a dog park sports bar. The Doghaus allows Sniffspot users to rent out its outdoor space before or after its operating hours. After reviewing the description, photos and reviews, I created an account and booked The Doghaus for an hour during our anticipated stopover in St. Louis. At $10 per dog, with 50% off the second dog, I paid a total of $15.
The Sniffspot Experience
Instructions for parking, the lockbox and entry were provided by the owner ahead of time and very clear, so we were able to access the site without any difficulty. While I brought my own stuff, the site had water bowls, poop bags, hoses, and anything else you’d need. The dogs were immediately elated to be able to chase each other around without restriction after a long drive the day before. One side of the fencing with wider spacing did face the sidewalk, but nobody passed by with a dog during the time we were there. While it was August, we visited in the morning on an overcast day so the dogs were able to play safely without overheating. The dogs were thoroughly entertained with the balls provided and were pooped when we got into the car. Overall, it was a smooth, successful visit.
Sniffspot Made A Mistake
A week or two later while looking at my bank statement, I noticed that Sniffspot charged me $15 twice so I emailed Sniffspot late that night to make them aware of the error. They responded within just a few hours and immediately issued a refund. While they made the initial error, they had very timely communication and the issue was immediately resolved.
Overall Sniffspot Review
Our first Sniffspot experience was easy and relatively inexpensive. My dogs got the exercise they needed without any anxiety on my part. I didn’t have to worry about other dogs around, nor that the dogs could run away. Like Airbnb, there’s a chance of things going wrong or falling below expectations when using a stranger’s property. However, reviews and pictures from previous users help new users to vet each property and know what to anticipate. If there is an issue, my experience suggests they are likely to quickly and efficiently rectify any problems that occur. Overall, Sniffspot has found a way to address a need of so many dog owners by providing safe areas for their dogs to play outside of public dog parks. We will certainly be repeat customers.