Got a backyard and a love for dogs? In 2025, you can turn your outdoor space into a private dog park with Sniffspot, a platform that connects dog owners with safe, fenced-in areas for off-leash play. It’s a low-effort side hustle that can generate passive income, with hosts earning $500–$3,000/month depending on location and bookings. No major investment needed—just a yard and a smartphone. Here’s how to rent out your backyard with Sniffspot and start earning today.

Step 1: Understand Sniffspot

Sniffspot lets you list your backyard for dog owners to rent by the hour, like Airbnb for pups. Users pay $5–$20/hour, and you keep 80% (Sniffspot takes 20% + small transaction fees). It’s ideal for urban or suburban homeowners with fenced yards, but rural hosts can succeed too. Listings are free, and you control availability, pricing, and rules.

Step 2: Assess Your Backyard

Your yard doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should be dog-friendly:

• Fencing: A secure fence (4–6 feet high) is ideal to prevent escapes. 
• Size: Even small yards (500–1,000 sq ft) work, but larger spaces attract more bookings.
• Amenities: Add free basics like water bowls, trash cans, or seating. Optional extras (e.g., agility equipment, toys) can justify higher rates. Yards with pools available to canine guests bring in much higher earnings. 

Check for hazards (e.g., toxic plants, sharp objects). 

Step 3: Set Up Your Sniffspot Listing

Signing up is free and takes 10 minutes:

• Create an Account: Download the Sniffspot app or visit sniffspot.com. Verify your identity (free).
• List Your Yard: Upload 5–10 clear photos (use your phone) showing the space, fence, and amenities. Write a description (e.g., “Quiet 1,000 sq ft yard perfect for fetch”).
• Set Pricing: Charge $10–$15/hour in urban areas, $5–$10 in rural ones. Offer discounts for first bookings.
• Rules: Specify pet limits, cleanup policies, and availability (e.g., 8 AM–8 PM).

Step 4: Market Your Spot

Sniffspot’s platform drives most bookings, but you can boost visibility:

• Optimize Listing: Use keywords like “private dog park” or “fenced yard” in your title and description.
• Social Media: Share your listing link in local dog groups on Facebook or X. Post photos of happy pups (with permission).
• Local Outreach: Put up flyers at pet stores or vet offices (free with Canva designs).

Step 5: Manage Bookings

Sniffspot makes hosting low-maintenance:

• Approvals: Set auto-approvals for bookings or review manually via the app.
• Interaction: Most guests need no contact—provide entry instructions (e.g., side gate code). 
• Cleanup: Guests must clean up, but check your yard daily for stray waste.

Minimal effort yields passive income. Hosts average 5–10 hours/week managing, with earnings scaling by bookings.

Step 6: Scale Your Income

Maximize profits with small tweaks:

• Add Amenities: Offer toys, shade, agility equipment or water features to stand out from other spots.
• Increase Rates: Raise to $15–$20/hour after 10 positive reviews.
• Expand Availability: Open more hours or days to attract bookings.

Your First Move

Check your yard for safety today, then list it on Sniffspot with five photos. Share in a local dog group on Facebook. Sniffspot’s a unique, low-effort way to cash in on your backyard. What’s your yard’s best feature? Share in the comments, and I’ll suggest an amenity to boost bookings!