Sniffspot Review: My Personal Experience With The Airbnb Of Dog Parks

As a longtime dog owner, I always seek ways to keep my pups entertained and active. Going on the same old walk each day can be boring, so I try adding new activities and adventures. On a recent walk in my neighborhood, I noticed a sign in a yard that said Sniffspot. I’ve heard of these private dog parks but have never seen one in my area. I decided to investigate further and try one out to see what Sniffspot is all about and if it is a good option for my dogs.

What Is Sniffspot?

Sniffspot describes itself as the Airbnb for dog parks. It launched in 2018 and is a community marketplace where property owners can rent out their land for use as a private dog park. Local people rent out their private yards and land to dog owners by the hour. It was started by David Adams and his now wife Rebecca, who needed to find safe places for their leash-reactive pup to go to the bathroom off-leash. He created an online site for dog owners to share their yards as safe places, and it evolved into the service it is today.

Sniffspot locations are designed to promote safety and make both dogs and owners comfortable. There is a buffer between visits, and dogs are required to have rabies vaccinations before they can visit. This helps keep the private dog parks safe for every pup that visits. While there are not locations in every city, Sniffspot operates nationwide.

Sniffspot can be accessed through an app on Android and iOS or via its website. You can set up visits, leave reviews for your past visits, message hosts, and peruse the information on the blog. Both the app and website are easy to use, and both hosts and guests can review each other.

What Kinds Of Dog Parks Does Sniffspot Have?

Like a short-term vacation rental, Sniffspot offers a variety of dog park types. These include water parks, fields, agility parks, beaches, hiking trails, fully fenced parks, small dog parks, and indoor parks.

As a guest, you can search for parks and businesses in your area based on features like size, distance from you, and fencing. Parks range in size from 1/4 acre to over 10 acres. In my area in Colorado, there are even parks with private hiking trails as large as 58 acres. One of my colleagues in North Carolina found a dog bar with a fenced-in agility course! So, there really is something for just about every dog’s needs.

Sniffspot Pricing

Pricing is very reasonable but does range significantly since it is set by the host. Some parks charge as low as $5 per dog per hour, while others charge over $25 per dog per hour.

My Personal Experience Visiting A Sniffspot

I chose to visit a Sniffspot in an urban area that has more space than my current yard. The spot I picked has a five-star rating and over 900 reviews. The property is more than two acres and is fully fenced, with over eight-foot-high chain link fencing all around. This Sniffspot location also allows guests to pull into the park and fully close and lock the gate behind them before getting their dogs out of their car. You are free to fully load and unload in the safety of the fenced park.

The park itself was exquisitely maintained, with plenty of shade available, along with a picnic table for human guests to sit on, water for the dogs, toys to play with, and a hospitality bin that included treats, wipes, and other necessities.

With a full hour to play and plenty of room to explore, my pup had a wonderful time. It took a few minutes for him to open up and feel comfortable, but once he did, he was very excited to sniff out new hiding spots and take in the exciting sights and sounds.

It was one of the best dog park experiences we’ve ever had. During my visit, I spoke to the host briefly to learn more about his experience and why he got started.

In a nutshell, I purchased this property specifically as a spot where I could train, condition, and find a better “connection” with my Dobermans. Sniffspot showed up on something I was searching for one day, and I thought others might enjoy my property, too. It has been a great experience, and I get very positive reviews. It’s great to share the space. I use it to train my dogs, and I love to see other people with their dogs using it.

– Jon S., Denver Sniffspot Host

Jon was an excellent host and took the time to walk around the property before and after my visit to ensure everything was clean and safe. Plenty of supplies were provided, which never happens at the public dog park. It is also one of the largest off-leash sites I’ve visited. I will absolutely be back.

What Do I Need To Be A Sniffspot Host?

Just about any type of yard or land can be a Sniffspot, but the most popular spots are larger, fully fenced, and completely private. That said, yards that are unfenced or properties that are less than half an acre are not always high-performing spots. However, if there is a unique feature, such as access to water, an obstacle course, or some other special characteristic, you may have more options.

There are a few basic requirements to turn your yard into a private Sniffspot park.

1. The land must be private and either owned by you or a space you have complete control over.
2. Guests cannot access spots by passing through private residences.
3. All areas must be free of hazards to dogs that include poisonous plants, dangerous chemicals, electric fences, for hazards like open swimming pools.
4. The space must be free of other dogs, domestic animals, and people.
5. If there are domestic animals present, including livestock, they must be separated from the Sniffspot.
6. Any fencing between the park and dogs on other properties must not have gaps big enough for dogs to make contact through.
7. Contact between hosts and guests should be arranged in advance.
8. Hosts must not be convicted or currently under investigation for certain crimes or be listed on any sex offender registry.

This is not an inclusive list of requirements; there are a few more, which you can read in more detail on Sniffspot’s website.

Is Sniffspot Worth It?

I would absolutely recommend visiting a Sniffspot location in your area. Take your time, research the property, and be sure to look specifically for what you want. While some people rent out regular backyards, there are plenty of larger areas available. Some of the larger ones in mountain areas with hiking trails can be particularly appealing for folks who want to give their pups that off-leash hiking experience without the fear of running into other people and other dogs.

I regularly take my two pups to the off-leash dog park; however, it is not always a pleasant experience. While they both enjoy going, my smaller pup, Falkor, a Poodle Beagle mix, is about 25 pounds and gets intimidated when there are a large number of other pups around, especially bigger ones. My other pup, Daisy, a Pitbull Labrador mix, is older and not as comfortable being around as much activity as in her younger years. This has limited the time she spends at the dog park. Sniffspot is a perfect solution for both dogs’ needs, as they can freely run without worrying about other pups or people.

If you own a small dog or a pup with anxiety or other special needs, Sniffspot can be a wonderful way to give your pup a less stressful dog park experience. These are also wonderful options if you want to train your pup in dog sports and agility and need more room to do so.

It is also a fantastic option for people who live in smaller homes without yards or apartments or if you are traveling and staying in a hotel. Renting out a private yard for an hour can be an excellent way to get your pup out of the hotel room or Airbnb and run around outside in a safe, clean space where they are welcome.

Is it Worth It To Be A Sniffspot Host?

On the hosting side. Sniffpsot is a legitimate and relatively lucrative opportunity to share your land and make some extra money. It is not an easy gig, as you need to provide a safe, clean experience for all guests. Your land requires regular upkeep and cleaning between each visit. That said, the hosts I have spoken with and researched overwhelmingly report a positive experience and appreciate the income opportunity.

Getting Ready For The Dog Park

Whether you are visiting a private Sniffspot or heading out to a public dog park, you want to take a few steps to be sure your pup is ready. Your pup must be able to follow basic commands like sit, stop, heel, stay, come, and no. This is especially important as you do not want your pup to get away from you at the park and not come back or get into an uncomfortable situation with another pooch and not respond to you. Along with that, there are some behavioral rules like picking up after your pet’s potty stops, making sure you bring a water bottle and bowl, and some dos and don’ts. You can learn all about this in our guide on dog park etiquette.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Danielle is a dog owner with over thirty years of canine care experience including lots of time at dog parks. She has a lifelong commitment to rescuing shelter animals and has given several dogs a second chance at a happy life. As a professional researcher, Danielle dedicates herself to providing pet parents with the most up-to-date, accurate, and helpful information to help better their pets’ lives. Her two sweet pups, Falkor and Daisy, are happy to help her in this research and thoroughly enjoy testing out dog parks for her to review.