Sniffspot: Rent Your Yard as a Dog Park

What is Sniffspot?

Sniffspot is a peer-to-peer rental service that connects homeowners who have appropriate yards with dog-owners, who want to rent a private space to let their pet run.

How it works

If you want to be a Sniffspot host, you sign up and create a profile. The profile should tell about your yard, both size and amenities. Realize, when it comes to dogs, amenities are things like a kiddie pool that the dog can cool off in; tennis balls, shade and, maybe, a bench where dog owners can sit down.

There’s no charge to set up a host profile here. You simply register your spot, describe it, and upload at least 10 photos of your location. Show everything from the fencing to where guests can relax and deposit dog bags before they leave.

Hosts determine when their land is available, the rules and fees.

Sniffspot review:

Sniffspot allows anyone with a backyard or field to rent out their land to dog owners, who are looking for an off-leash playground for their pets.

The site has a number of homeowner-friendly rules that make this a low-maintenance and attractive side hustle. For instance, only one dog-owner can book a Sniffspot at any given time. And dogs are not allowed to be left unattended.

Customers are also instructed to leave the space in the same condition it was when they arrived. In other words, customers are expected to clean up after themselves and their pets. The homeowner should have to clean up later.

Dogs are also required to be vaccinated and can be tossed from Sniffspot if they’re too aggressive or if their owners break the host’s rules.

The site has also added $1 million in liability insurance — and $5,000 in property damage coverage — to its standard offering. So, you don’t have to worry about guests hurting themselves on your property.

Dogs vs. people

And then there’s just the simple fact that pet-parents who rent your yard are not looking for perfection. Amenities that can make your yard stand out on this site are tennis balls; a bench for owners to sit on; and a water bowl. If you have a swimming pool, pond, or dog toys that guests can use, even better.

However, customers of this app often note that they’re using it because they have reactive dogs. Homeowners would be wise to keep their own pets inside when the yard is rented out. Other than that, however, dogs are pretty low-maintenance.

Semi-passive income

You don’t necessarily need to be there when people show up, either. The site allows you to set up a system for people to get in and out, without personally tending the arrivals and departures.

Pay

You set your own rates, based on your location, amenities and what you personally think the space is worth. Typically, fees are set per dog, per hour — say, $10 hourly for one dog; and $15 for two. Hosts are paid once monthly for any bookings. Sniffspot takes a 25% commission.

Recommendations:

If you have the right yard for this, Sniffspot is an easy side hustle that can produce nice income. Although the vast majority of reviews are customers, rather than hosts, it appears the only consistent complaints are about glitches with the app. You can sign up with Sniffspot here.

Know that you can also rent out your swimming pool, storage space, parking spot, and a wide array of other possessions. Pick what you have to rent here to see other options.

What their hosts say (from Google play):

Do not use, no way to confirm or cancel as host. This does not work like rover! You have no way of canceling if someone books your place with unauthorized dogs. People can book whether or not they listen to you requirements. So if you say small dog only, they can boom big dogs anyway. You have no control of your place. Horrible app!

As a host, the Sniffspot app is really useful for me when I’m on the go. Super important when I’m making sure my listing is up to date for my wonderful guests!

As the first Seattle Sniffspot host, may I say congratulations to the creator. This is far more than an app. It is a community of real dog owners with real dog issues, this Sniff Spot idea greatly benefits reactive dogs. Excellent resource for a pet professional such as me, a retired vet tech, daily dog walker. Each time a Sniff Spot is added, the more I am eager to explore a safe, insured, new place with my own geriatric dog.

Updated 1/22/2025