Dogs and mustachianism and renting

[PointC]

Hey guys. I currently rent an apartment in Toronto and work downtown. I am looking into rescuing a dog, probably something on the larger end of the spectrum to come on adventures with me (hiking, running etc.). I know landlords can't kick you out for having a dog here, and my current landlord is fine with dogs, but securing another place may be difficult once the dog is in the picture.

Does anyone have experience trying to rent in Ontario with a dog?
I'm worried because I can foresee myself leaving my job so I can get out of Toronto in the next 5 years or so, likely renting again. I know it will probably cost me more which twists my stash but I'm thinking that's worth it for a dog!

[RetiredAt63]

Does anyone have experience trying to rent in Ontario with a dog?

Renting with a dog is easy in Ottawa.  I rented through Minto for a year, and Missy is 45 pounds so medium size.  Just have something that is known to be friendly.

No idea about Toronto.

[PointC]

Thanks, that's good to hear. Really I'm just nervous about making the decision, hard not to second guess yourself!

[Lagom]

I have a 75lb dog and am a renter. While I've found that a majority of rental postings will specify NO PETS, this is actually negotiable most of the time. My tactic has always been to visit the place, make a good impression on the landlord, and only then drop the pet bomb. So far, every time I've done this I have been told they would be OK with my pet. I think they just don't like dealing with the (sadly all too common) irresponsible pet owners, so cut as many out as possible by claiming they won't take any pets. It seems that good, reliable renters are a somewhat rare commodity and if they have confidence you will be one, they'll generally be flexible on things like owning a dog.

[PointC]

My tactic has always been to visit the place, make a good impression on the landlord, and only then drop the pet bomb. So far, every time I've done this I have been told they would be OK with my pet.

This is my plan too, good to hear it's worked. I figure if I get a dog this summer, I'll have him for 1-2 years at least before I decide to move. At that point I would hopefully have a good reference from my current landlord who already likes me and certificates of training.

[RetiredAt63]

Hi Spartana
My last year of work had a really bad schedule plus an 80 minute commute each way.  I knew that with Missy that just wasn't going to work.  I found a small inexpensive (not horrible, just oldish) apartment near work, and we did the work commute thing.  I would go home Friday night with Missy and go back on Sunday evening.

Missy stayed in the apartment in her crate while I was at work - I put her in my bedroom, the room farthest from the apartment door.  I got on a good chatting relationship with the lady who did the maintenance, and she said Missy never barked unless she bumped my door.  Anyone else I asked also said they never heard her.  This was a dog who had grown up in a house, was not used to people being so close that were not family or visitors, and barked at people who came to the house door, so I was happily surprised.

Yes the walking is the big thing.  Here I have fenced part of my yard, and when Missy needs to run she can, or I throw a dog frisbee for her.  There I had to walk her, we did a lot of walking that year.  I bought a little bag at the dollar store to hold the poop bags and that was it.  First thing in the morning and bedtime were the hardest - I threw clothes on in the morning and took her for a quick walk, and last thing at night was another quick walk before bed.  If I had been sick it would have been really awkward - I would have dumped her on my daughter or have gone home where I could just let her out the door.  I realized then that if I ever rent again I will need a house or townhouse where there is a fenced back yard, however small.

One advantage was this was a 50's building, 3 story, no elevator, just stairs.  I had 7 stairs to get to the apartment door - so getting her out was easy.  It would have been much harder if I had been in a high-rise with an elevator.  I could have rented an apartment in a high-rise, I looked at several and the dog would not have been a problem, but this one had a better overall layout, and getting outside easily was definitely a plus.

It did help when I was looking for an apartment that she is incredibly cute and friendly looking, when I show pictures of Missy people go "so cute".

[MakeSmarterDecisions]

As a landlord who posts "no pets" in my ads, I would be pretty ticked off if you dropped the "pet bomb" on me after the showing (and I probably wouldn't rent to you).  We had this happen once - we lived over an hour from the property at the time. I did a thorough screening via email, phone and the person clearly indicated "no pets".  When we arrived to show the house - she said - oh, after you met us - we thought you would be OK with it. In this situation they lied - (and I know you didn't do that).We also own an 8 unit complex and we just can't have people with pets there either. If we had a single family house, I probably would be better about the "surprise" of springing the idea about the dog. We don't have trouble finding renters though. Just a thought from a landlord.

[Lagom]

As a landlord who posts "no pets" in my ads, I would be pretty ticked off if you dropped the "pet bomb" on me after the showing (and I probably wouldn't rent to you).  We had this happen once - we lived over an hour from the property at the time. I did a thorough screening via email, phone and the person clearly indicated "no pets".  When we arrived to show the house - she said - oh, after you met us - we thought you would be OK with it. In this situation they lied - (and I know you didn't do that).We also own an 8 unit complex and we just can't have people with pets there either. If we had a single family house, I probably would be better about the "surprise" of springing the idea about the dog. We don't have trouble finding renters though. Just a thought from a landlord.

Fair enough. To be clear, I don't tell them I don't have pets in advance or anything like that. I just ask for a showing, establish a rapport, chat about my kids, make it pretty obvious that I will be one of the best tenants they've ever had, and then mention that I love the place and would happily take it if they could be flexible on the pet thing. Since so many landlords (100% so far until I heard your comment) have been flexible on pets, I honestly think this is the only way someone with a dog can find a good place, short of getting very lucky.

I will mention that two of the three times I did this involved SFHs, and the other was a cottage on the property of one, so I have no concept of how it would go over in a multi-unit building, although it makes perfect sense the "no pets" rule would be more firm in those instances.

As for having a dog in an apartment, I personally HATED it. But I'm lazy and the luxury of just letting the dog out into the yard versus having to leash them and walk them down stairs every time they need to pee is pretty huge.

[MakeSmarterDecisions]

I agree as long as you don't lie - keeping it "in your pocket" isn't that big of a deal.  SFH are different and we did have a tenant with a dog and we were fine with that. The blame game can certainly start in multi-units when pets are cleaned up after too. One other thing you might try is an ad on Craigslist (housing wanted) that explains how great of a tenant you are and that you have a dog (could provide references, etc. too). We look there for people looking for places and have found a few great tenants that way.

[PointC]

Yes, I definitely wouldn't lie. Starting a relationship with your landlord like that seems like a recipe for disaster on both ends.

Interesting, I've never really considered posting a wanted ad on Craigslist, I had always assumed that wouldn't work. Not sure why I have this assumption though, I'll have to look into that when I'm next looking!

[patchyfacialhair]

We've had no problems finding places that allow pets. I mean...there's a whole internet out there...simply set your search filters to include pets on whatever websites you use.

I'm partial to places with a sliding glass door leading to an enclosed, private outdoor area, so I have that on my short list of requirements. Go online or to the hardware store, stick a sliding glass doggy door insert in there...and the pup will be happy (provided it's a lazy dog). Mine roams (sleeps) around the apartment during the morning, then basks in the son in the afternoon as we have a west-facing balcony. It's also convenient for potty time too. After some coaxing I finally have him litter trained. No accidents inside, and I no longer have to be physically present for him to do his business.

[RetiredAt63]

Missy is crate trained because she started life as a potential show dog (pet first) and then we did agility competitions.  Both need a dog who is happy in a crate.  All my dogs have seen their crate as their den, Missy goes and sleeps in hers when she wants a nap.  She is in it right now, just to keep me company in the office.  She has the run of the house when I am home, I just don't want her barking her head off at the front door every time she hears something outside and I am not home.  She is a good alarm system when I am home.   ;-)

I have a sliding door to the back deck, and there are stairs that go to the fenced part of the yard, so she can go out on her own if necessary.  The fence is deer fencing, so she could go through it if she ran at it really hard.  That means she is only out under at least some supervision (i.e. I let her out and get her back in, or I am out with her).  It is not secure like chain link is secure.   

So yes, direct access to the outside is really the best for a rental.  This could be a house, town house, or I have seen some apartment buildings where the ground floor apartments have small fenced yards where the apartments above them have balconies.  Second best is an apartment with easy access outside.