Returning guest with extra baggage--- two small dogs.

[Robert78]

Okay fellow community hosts, I need some advice about how to handle a guest bringing pets.

I've hosted this lovely lady previously, she was fine. I've encouraged her to select some of my vacant dates (which nicely fills in my calendar) and we've come to an agreement on terms.

As a rule, I don't allow pets. However, this guest has proven to be responsible in the past, so I have no reason at all to make pre-judgements.

Here's the thing: my property is a 14th floor apartment. I've got stuff inside, like sofas, beds, linen. There are tiled and parquet floors. No carpets. Two exterior balconies.

The issue is I know pets have to "do the business" like the rest of us, and they have to sleep just like the rest of us.

My question is: how to I prepare for the inevitable doggy lodging???

[Melanie33]

Hi Robert

It sounds like you have already agreed terms but are you really sure that you want to host dogs in your apartment.  It doesn't sound ideal and at least make sure you have a securtity deposit in place.

As a dog owner all I can suggest you do is have a list of local parks and open grassy areas that are dog friendly.  Give your guest the list when she arrives and make sure she knows where they all are.  Perhaps suggest to her where you would prefer the dogs not to be allowed in the apartment.  You clearly have a good relationship with this guest from past visits so I feel sure you must be able to discuss all this with her.  Unfortunately dogs are not like cats (however small they are) and a litter tray will not do.

Good luck

Mel

[Robert78]

Cheers, Mel! I like the park notification idea!

[Robin4]

@Robert78 @Melanie33 Robert you said you have a good relationship with this guest but there are boundaries that relationships do not cross and pets is one of those boundaries. Now my situation and yours are like chalk and cheese, I am not in a 14th floor apartment! I will tolerate a pet in our secure rear garden as it is a half acre block (2,000 msq) but I will under no circumstance allow a pet of any description inside the cottage. It is all very well for this guest to want to have her pet on hand but it is an incredibly big ask to expect a host to accept that pet into his or her life as the guest does!

It is probably too late because by the sound of it you have already approved this scenario but if I were in the same situation I would explain to the guest that many people are allergic to pet hair and the risk of a compensation claim from a future guest is just too great to risk allowing their little 'treasure' into your apartment.

If she is that 'responsible' person you have painted her to be she would, I am sure, understand.

Having said that I would aggree totally with what Melanie has said and I would go further and state that the pet is welcome to the balcony areas but must be caged when inside the apartment. Giving in to this guests unfair request could be a move you may come to regret in the future Robert!

Cheers....Rob

[Robert78]

Thanks, Rob! And this is precisely the reason I posed this question. I want to be reasonable without being taken advantage of.

Thank you for your insight 🙂