Renting with Your Dog

Especially in Stockton, finding a home to rent that allows dogs seems impossible.  My experience has been that 90% of property owners here do not permit dogs in their homes, and if they do, they require that the dog be less than 20 lb. Not to mention, the discrimination against Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and other stereotyped large breeds. 

Many families have been fortunate enough to convince their current landlord to allow the adoption of a puppy or rescue, but now they are faced with moving and cannot find a home to rent that will allow them to keep their dog. Often, these situations are heartbreaking to the family because they feel they have no choice but to take their pet to a shelter or turn it loose on the street. More often than not, these displaced animals end up dead. 

Today I would like to offer suggestions on how to avoid these situations. I would like to make it clear that IT IS possible to own and keep a dog of any breed and size in Stockton, regardless of whether or not you own a home. You simply need to follow these steps:

1. Make Time!!!
• If it is not an emergency situation, give yourself as much time as possible to relocate.
• This gives you the chance to 
• Check Craigslist for Pet Friendly Rentals
• Place housing ads in the paper and online
• Check Facebook and other resources for potential rental locations
• Convince your future landlord that they WANT you and your family pet as tenants!
2. Acquire Rental Insurance prior to filling out a rental application!
• It is important to verify that the company you go with covers both Physical and Medical damage caused by your dog, and that the company does NOT discriminate by breed.
• Try these insurance companies for non-discriminatory pet coverage:
• State Farm
• Farmers Insurance Group 
• United Services Automobile Association
• F.I.D.O.'s Covered Canine Liability Insurance
• Einhorn Insurance 
• Chubb Group
• Nationwide (only insures pit bulls with CGC certification) 
• Lester Kalmanson Agency Inc. 
• XINSURANCE 
• Auto Owners Insurance Company
• It is important that your personal liability coverage is at least $100,000
• Need more information? Check out this Website 
3. Private owners are a lot easier to deal with compared to large companies. 
• Instead of applying for housing in large multiunit facilities, look for a small house for rent by owner.
• This way you can explain your situation in an intimate setting where a personal connection can be developed. 
4. Many property owners have had negative experiences with dogs in the past and that is why they ban them. For example, my landlord told me a story about how a couple abandoned their pet in his house when they moved, and the dog was left inside the home with no food or water for days. Not only did the inside of the home get destroyed, but the dog attacked the landlord when he showed up to evaluate the property. 
• You can lay your landlord’s mind to rest about matters of this nature by doing the following:
• Assure the landlord that the dog will always be well provided for and will NEVER be abandoned on the property. 
• If you go on vacation arrange for someone to stay with your animal or take it to a boarding facility. 
• Provide legal documentation that the animal is yours. This way, if there is an issue, the dog is traceable back to you, giving the landlord legal proof that he or she is not financially responsible for the incident.
• Have your dog micro chipped. 
• Have the appropriate city license on your pet’s collar. 
• Insist that when you are not on the property, the dog will be crated or confined to a specific room, so that even when you are not home, the landlord will have the ability to enter the property. 
5. Train, train, train! Ensure that your dog is well behaved!
• Provide proof that your animal has taken and passed a behavior class.
• Show photos of your dog at the dog park and around children to demonstrate how well socialized the animal is. 
• Dress nicely, and bring your dog to meet the landlord. Then show off simple behaviors such as “sit,” “stay,” and “roll-over,” to demonstrate your pup’s great personality! 
• First impressions count! It is also more difficult for a landowner to say. “No” to a well-behaved dog that they have already met!
6. If you are moving to a new home, write a letter stating that your dog has been well behaved and non-problematic and ask your current landlord to sign in.
• In many cases, I have heard that this has a significant impact on changing the new landlord’s mind. 
• You may also consider having your neighbors sign a letter saying that your pet is not a howler or aggressive, and that there have not been any neighborhood incidents involving your animal. 
7. Tell the landlord how well you will take care of his or her property! 
• Insist that you will perform “doggie duty” on a consistent basis, no less than every other day. 
• If the home has hardwood floors consider putting rugs down throughout the home. 
8. Finally, if all else fails, see if you a friend or neighbor  can care  for  your pet for a few months while you continue your search for a pet friendly home! 
• Raising and training a dog takes a lot of work, not to mention your pet is an important and meaningful part of your family! Don’t let that relationship be ruined! You and your pet deserve a home where you can live happily ever after!

I have a number of other ideas concerning this matter, so if you have tried these ideas and are still getting nowhere, please contact me! I would love to help you out of the situation that you are in!