Expert: Jeff Lutton - 5/8/2007

Question
I am moving to Arizona later this year and have been looking for a short-term rental that will allow a big dog.  I have noticed many "pet friendly" places restrict the size to 35 lbs and/or do not allow shepherd or rottweillers or mixes of those dogs.  Any suggestions how to find places that do accept larger dogs?  Thank you

Answer
That’s a tough one.  The answer depends on how well you are at white lies.  I was in the same situation when I lived in Nashville a few years ago.  I learned quickly that nobody wanted a golden retriever in their short term rental so I started using the term mutt.  That at least got me in the door.  What I found that if I was dealing with a property manager that they were tough to reason with and had no interest in bending the rules.  Ultimately I found a place where I was dealing directly with owner and he lived near the rental so I talked him into meeting my dog.  Once you meet a golden you always fall in love with them.  

The only other suggestion I can think of is to contact the local rescue/shelter and tell them your situation.  You didn’t mention where you got the dog (a little white lie won’t hurt if you got from a breeder) but those groups tend to be pretty helpful and are part of large listserves.  They might be willing to email your request out to the group and you might get lucky.  

Or try to find a good daycare that your dog can stay in during the week and sneak him home on the weekends.  

Hope this helps.  Sorry if I pushed the ethics boundary a little bit.