Hello @Elisabeth-And-Jake0 ,
For me, it helps bring more reservations. Most guests are kind and respectful. We have even had guests send us pictures of their dogs sitting happily in the garden.
Keep in mind that allowing pets does not only mean dogs, it also includes cats.
When you receive an inquiry, explain that you expect guests to pick up after their dogs and never leave them unattended outside.
Before allowing dogs, you should prepare yourself mentally for three possible situations:
1. Some guests may treat your garden as a dog bathroom. They will leave the property, and you might find dog waste around the house, and unfortunately there is little you can do about it. If you complain, you risk getting a one-star review that can harm your listing, and no one will reimburse you. If you are willing to occasionally pick up after someone else’s dog, then go ahead and allow pets.
2. Some guests may say their dogs are emotional support animals, so you cannot charge a pet fee. You are limited in what you can ask. I have learned to simply accept it as part of doing business, but be ready to host dogs without any extra payment sometimes.
3. Guests who bring their dog without telling you.
If you feel you can handle both situations calmly and without confrontation, go ahead and set a higher fixed pet fee, somewhere between 100 and 200 USD, or you can set it per pet, per day, in your listing options.
And still, if you ask me whether it’s worth it, yes, it is.
