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Big yard and heated garage to sleep in, but dogs not allowed in house

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Thinking about becoming a sitter but dogs not allowed in house. I have a huge yard which I will fence and a big garage where I can install separate kennels. Assuming the dogs will sleep in the heated garage and play under supervision in the yard (either individually or together, depending on how they get along), and I take them for at least one walk each per day, will people be interested in booking with me? Just wondering how important it is to potential clients that dogs be allowed in the home. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

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Karen R.

People come to Rover as an alternative to a kennel. What you are describing is essentially a kennel. Rover clients want a home experience, either at the sitter's or in their own home.

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Laura R.

Hi Kate,

In my experience, the owners who use Rover tend to be looking for more of a home-like situation, BUT, my experience may be biased since I'm a home sitter, so the requests I get will only be people looking for that kind of environment. I think a lot of dogs would enjoy what you're describing, and I think there will be owners out there looking for those services, especially if you can beat the rates of a bigger kennel and provide more individual attention to the dogs. Since your services would be very different from other sitters on Rover, you would have some pretty big advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, what sets you apart from other sitters is obvious, and differentiating yourself from other sitters in your area is key for drawing attention to your profile. But on the other hand there will be a much smaller client base ready for you when you sign up; most owners on Rover are looking for what most sitters on Rover offer, and they may not be open to your more kennel-style approach. It sounds like you haven't yet done a lot of the work needed to make your home ready for dogs.. unless these are upgrades to your property that you'd be making anyway, prepare yourself for the potential reality that business could be very slow for a long time if your business model doesn't end up being appealing to most owners.

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If someone in my area set up a kennel in their garage, you'd probably have the city coming down on the owner with fines due to not only being unlicensed but also because it would violate code. You can bet that neighbors would complain about the barking and report the owner to the authorities.

Karen R.

Well that would entirely depend on the situation: the number of dogs housed at one time and whether or not a kennel license is needed (the OP needs to review local statutes to find out), the screening of the dogs housed, the proximity of neighboring properties, etc. I don't see any inherent problems with the scenario if Kate does her research and is a responsible business owner and neighbor.

Laura R.

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Kate B.

"If someone in my area set up a kennel in their garage, you'd probably have the city coming down on the owner with fines due to not only being unlicensed but also because it would violate code. You can bet that neighbors would complain about the barking and report the owner to the authorities."

I don't see how this applies at all. I was thinking about maybe a 4 dog capacity. How is having 4 dogs in my large garage different than 4 dogs inside my house? Any barking issue inside my house would be the same inside my garage. I also don't live in super close proximity to my neighbors. I'll look this up later, but I don't see how it would violate any codes that it would not violate if the dogs were in the house. I am not proposing a typical large kennel situation.

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I have no idea where you live. I am in a city, where buildings are not only close together but people tend to keep close tabs on what goes on in my neighborhood. If four dogs were being housed in cages in a garage, it would not be viewed the same as someone owning four dogs that lived in the house itself. Regardless of the legalities, as I said, people come to Rover for a home experience, one in which a dog stays in a home close to human beings. What if you only have one dog, would the dog be all alone in the garage all the time, except for when you are supervising play in the yard?

Karen R.

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Leighann H.

Book a Stay
Austin, TX

Like others said, it depends on what the owner's priorities are. I know I enjoy being able to offer their dogs a second home, but if someone has a dog that cares more about playing with other dogs, your set-up might be better.

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Nancy S.

I operated a small kennel with my sister for 2 1/2 years. We charged $10/night. It was a lot of work cleaning the kennels everyday and the bedding. The dogs were let out 3 times a day starting at 6:30 am and them fed at 8am. I now live in a different state and do home and traveling sitting. I started my business last March. I only accept 2 dogs at a time in my home usually from the same family. I am making about the same amount of money as my sister is working her butt of at the kennel. My customers want to know that their dogs are sitting on my lap, playing ball in my backyard,laying on my couch and being cuddle and loved. I have 5 furbabies of my own and most of the guest I have had fit in with my gang really well. They bring their babies here because they don't want them in a kennel while they are on vacation. But again it depend on your location. I would suggest that you buy something that can be used for another use temporarily before you build a permanent kennel in your garage and see how much business you get. Or put in 2 kennels at first. Maybe use kennel panels. Whatever you decide good luck.

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Frances M.

I'll have to agree with Karen R. People come to Rover for the home sitting environment where they know you will cuddle with the dog, love them and make them feel like they are on a vacation themselves while their owners are away. I am not sure (I guess it depends on the area) how people will react knowing that their dog is in a garage and then kenneled. I am just saying from my experience that wouldn't work where I live. My clients are leaving me with their child, that's how serious it gets.

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Big yard and heated garage to sleep in, but dogs not allowed in house

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