Use These Apps to Make Extra Money Letting Dogs Play in Your Backyard

Americans love their dogs — all 90 million of them . And dog owners know there’s nothing better than letting their dog off leash and running free. For many people who don’t have a lot of outdoor space or who live in homes with shared spaces where leash-free living is prohibited, that means bringing their pet to a dog park.

But not all areas have conveniently located dog parks, and visiting them comes with some inherent risks — from aggressive dogs and infectious dog diseases, among others. If you have private outdoor space, this is an opportunity for you: You can make a nice profit renting it out as a private dog park using apps like Sniffspot and Rome .

How to Turn Your Yard into a Private Dog Run

Both apps work the same way: You create a listing for your fenced-in outdoor space (with details on its size; dog amenities like trees, pools, or agility pens; and human amenities like Wi-Fi, parking, and seating). People looking for a place to run their dogs for free browse the listings, find yours, and book it, usually by the hour. Renters can essentially treat these spaces like private dog parks, so they don’t have to worry about strange dogs, careless owners, or unexpected problems.

Sniffspot requires people who want to rent a dog park to have a “Sniffpass” subscription, which costs between $16 and $96 per month depending on the membership level chosen (different levels have different “booking credits” and discounts). Rome users don’t need to subscribe to reserve a spot.

Both Sniffspot and Rome also offer included insurance to protect hosts from damage or liability issues — Sniffspot covers up to $2 million in liability insurance and up to $5,000 in property damage. Rome Cover offers up to $500,000 in liability protection, as well as legal protection and medical coverage.

How Much Can You Make Renting Out Your Yard as a Dog Park?

Both Sniffspot and Rome let you choose how much to charge, but most hosts charge between $5 and $20 per hour depending on the size of the space and amenities offered. Sniffspot charges about 25% of the top end as a fee to use its platform, while Rome charges 15%. Rome pays its hosts weekly, while Sniffspot pays them monthly.

You can make real money this way: One North Carolina woman reported making an average of $7,100 a month in the first half of 2024. Of course, your income potential will depend on demand, as well as what you can offer to dogs in your area.

How to Start a Dog Park Rental in Your Yard

If you think you can make extra money letting adorable dogs run around your backyard, there are some basic guidelines you should follow to make your space stand out:

• Provide lots of photos. Both apps encourage you to post lots of photos along with your listing so dog owners can see where their pooches will be playing.

• Consider accessibility issues. People should be able to access the area without going through a private residence. Many prefer to be able to access the space without interacting with the owner at all, so being able to offer truly private access is a plus.

• Make sure your space is safe. Both Rome and Sniffspot require that your space be fenced and secure, but it’s a good idea to evaluate how effective your fence is. If it’s old or low, replacing or repairing it is a good idea. Also make sure there are no dangerous items (like poisonous plants or rusty old garden tools), pesticides, or other hazards that could pose a risk to puppies.

• Add some amenities. Spaces range from small backyards to sprawling multi-acre properties, but whether you’re listing a postage stamp or a farm, you should consider the amenities you can add to increase the value of your listing. Some properties offer walking trails, dog hammocks, or dog pools, and some also accommodate their human guests by providing lawn chairs, fire pits — even barbecues. If you can offer people some kind of restroom, that’s a big bonus.

• Provide for the basic needs of owners. Both apps require guests to clean up after their dogs and leave the property as they found it, so providing poop bags, trash cans, and hand sanitizer is a plus.

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