Some landlords are fine, but others are willing to blame everything and anything on the dogs. The last place I was at, I made the mistake of not taking photos when I moved in. The miniblinds were bent at sections and since I had pointed it out to the landlord when he came over to fix something a few months later, I figured no big deal. Lo and behold, they take out $55 out of my deposit for "dog damage to the miniblinds" when I had my entertainment center in front of that window so there was no way they could have caused more damage. There are plenty of unscrupulous landlords like there are many idiot and irresponsible dog owners. My new favorite line from Cesar Millan's new book is "There's no such thing as a problem breed. However, there is no shortage of problem owners."

"if there isn't an empty field or something nearby, clean up after the dog"???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> You need to pick up after your dog regardless of where it goes... people that don't pick up after their dogs ruin it for the rest of us. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

And it is always the little dog owners. I occasionally see big dogs leftovers, but the little crappy dog people have no excuse. At my buddies place, there is about a 10 foot semi-circle where the lazy piece of crap opens the door and lets the little dog make a mess on the flexi. Too bad they couldn't loose some fingers! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I was strictly a renter for many, many years. Almost all the places I lived had a no pets policy, at first. In every case, I explained that my dogs were well trained and slept in their crates. I showed them their obedience school certificates. I offered to put up a pet deposit (although I only remember actually having to do that once.) I freely offered to give them my previous landlord's phone number and let them ask about my dogs.
Any damage caused by my dogs I would either repair or pay for the repairs.
The only time I can recall having a problem was when my old GSD broke a side panel window out and when I replaced it, the LL pitched a fit and wanted beveled glass put in to match the other side. Luckily I had saved the glass to prove that it wasn't beveled on that side to begin with. At another house, my dogs liked to lay under the deck on the back and leaned against the basement window screen and tore it up. I have never been refused the return of my deposit.
The world needs all the reponsible dog owner/renters it can get. I will rent to dog-owners (when I finally get the remodel done on the rent house), but they will have to demonstrate that they are concerned, responsible and caring dog-owners. (I may ask to speak to their vet before renting.) Seems like that might be a good gauge of their responsibility level.


And I agree, the I'm-moving-and-can't-take-the-dog B.S. is exactly that.

Just my 2 cents:

I rescued a gsd knowing my Manhattan apartment didnt permit dogs and in the ensuing process of trying to find another place, I did learn a little.

A lot of property owners are wary of certain breeds and sometimes single them out, or sometimes try to de facto screen against them with some sort of weight limit (50 lbs, for instance). A lot of rescue agencies in my NY experience now commonly call a pit bull by any other conceivable name (amstaff, bull terrier etc etc) to avoid being caught in the "pit bulls kill people all the time" trap.

I never heard objections to a golden retriever but as you wonder, it's size might preclude you from some situations, maybe?

I am sure there is commonly more latitude with a house in suburbia/a rural area. Demonstrably good behavior has to be a big plus, as others have said.

I've rented where I am for about 12 years now. I've had 2 large dogs since living there. She didn't ask for a deposit or anything. But if for some reason either of my dogs had done something to damage property I would've paid for it, no questions asked.
Case in point, the new dog I just got, unfortunately, doesn't raise his leg all the time (my other dog always did) and since we didn't have alot of snow this year, a huge patch of lawn was dead, as well as a couple of other little spots. I re-seeded the lawn this weekend and patched everything up and told her that I was sorry for the mess and that I would train him to go in one spot in the back of the yard and water it daily so that it wouldn't burn the lawn and she was fine with that.
I am actually thinking of moving, but I am not concerned about having a large dog. Alot of places that say no pets are kind of flexible and are willing to allow a dog, i say my dog has references (which he does, I guess), alot of places just want to know that your responsible with your pet and that the previous landlord had no problems with you or your pet.

Jeff, I know what you mean. I see people looking the other way when their dog is "assuming the position" as if to say "what poop? I don't see no poop". Idiots! As far as renting, most people can't afford to own when they are first starting out, I know I couldn't when I was a "yout"! That didn't stop me from keeping dogs. Where there is a will there is a say.

You guys are awesome, thanks so much for all of the replies!!

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.......Demonstrably good behavior has to be a big plus, as others have said.

Exactly! A couple of my clients own residential rentals, so the admin part of it falls to me. I was really impressed a few years ago when a would-be renter for a place where cats were allowed, but no dogs (per the ad) showed up with his dog so he could demonstrate the way his dog behaved. He pointed out that he had been in apartments where cats and litter-boxes had left an indelible odor, but that his dog had no litter-box or piddle-pads.

He had references, too, but the dog appearing at the meeting and behaving so well was really what did it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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"if there isn't an empty field or something nearby, clean up after the dog"???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> You need to pick up after your dog regardless of where it goes... people that don't pick up after their dogs ruin it for the rest of us. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

You are correct, though this is big overgrown field (the woods border it) several acres in size and no one mows it or even walks there except when I walk the dogs there for potty breaks. It's also pretty amazing how fast their poop disappears and breaks down feeding a high quality food like Chicken Soup versus Pedigree or Purina crapola. It's usually gone in 3 days versus 2 weeks in corn/grain based foods. However, I do carry plastic bags with me elsewhere though, like if I'm on the hiking trails or something. What does drive me nuts is when a dog will poop literally on the middle of the trail. It's like, if you're not going to pick up after it, can't you move the dog's butt over like 10 feet off the trail at least? Yeesh...