So it’s our fist time trying airb&b. The owner is not on site and told us we were sharing the house with another guest with “a lazy dog”. It turns out it is a French bull dog AND a pitbull. He rented two bedrooms, thinking he would have the house to himself, but now realizes there are three bedrooms. We had a nice 30 minute converstion over breakfast, where the dogs were well behaved. He said he would put them in a closed bedroom when he leaves, but I worry about coming back to house when he and the dogs are out. My husband thinks it will be fine until he leaves on Sunday, but my gut reaction is to contact the owner and either he leaves or we leave. Help!
So? You knew there was a dog- what’s the problem?
Dogs can be vicious or not regardless of breed. My parents pit is one of the laziest dogs I’ve ever met.
Does the owner charge per pet? If so, the guy is getting a free ride for his other dog as apparently he told the owner he had “a dog.”
I would never rent an airbnb after buying this house. It was on one of those sites briefly until the owner decided to sell. There were rats in the attic that our inspection found. The insulation was just gross. We had it all replaced pronto by a pest co. Some windows were ready to fall out… but you could only see that when the siding was taken off. And much more! You could not see much of the gross stuff unless you were inspecting carefully. So there could be some awful stuff lurking in those airbnb houses. A dog at least visible…
My daughter’s pit bull has no idea he is supposed to be vicious. If the other person keeps the dogs in a bedroom, which he should do anyway to minimize damage to the house, you should be fine.
The owner may have only mentioned the pit bull because of the breed. If the dog seems friendly, I don’t know why you would need to do anything.
I would not return to a house where there is a dog not accompanied by the owner. Any dog may feel the need to protect the house.
It seems like very strange set up that they rent to two groups who share the house but that’s what you signed up for.
“I would not return to a house where there is a dog not accompanied by the owner. Any dog may feel the need to protect the house.”
This. It is unbelievable how territorial some lazy, friendly dogs can be when the owners are not around.
For future reference (have not used airbnb) can you tell if you are going to be sharing the house?
In reading lots of hotel reviews (I’m a “Don’t leave home without Tripadvisor” sort, ) there are plenty of hotel complaints, too.
I wouldn’t want to share with a stranger, without the owner on prem. But yes, some houses may accommodate separate renters.
I know great pitbulls, but this is about your comfort level coming and going as you please.
We’ve used airbnb (as well as Homeaway/VRBO) many, many times with great success, as recently as the past 2 weeks.
With airbnb, when you search you can indicate whether you want the search to include the entire home, a private room or even a shared room. We’ve only done the entire home (apartments, houses). I really like this option over hotels but I’m not looking to share the space with anyone, even an owner. We also tend to go for places that are intended to be vacation rentals not an owner’s main residence. I don’t want someones personal items - clothing, toiletries, etc. - strewn about. So, yes, you can limit your search. I’ve also found it advisable to ask questions and get clarity before confirming a rental.
Sure hotels can be nasty. Agree that reviews are a must. Especially those 3 star reviews that tend to be really informative. But in a hotel, you are less likely going to have to deal with lights going out because of an overloaded circuit/tripped breaker you cannot reset as the owner locked the breaker room. 
Short term rentals can be really slummy because guests who stay just a couple of nights are less likely to notice rats, leaky roofs, and locked utility rooms to name a few such “upgrades.” 
Well, from your perspective, this rental is not as advertised. Two dogs, not one. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’d speak with the owner. If you decide to stay, ask the other guest for his number in case you arrive back and the dogs aren’t confined to a bedroom or there is barking or another problem. Even one problem would have me calling the owner of the unit.
I know someone with a very passive pit bull. I’ve actually stopped by to check on the dog when they were out of town and it was fine. I’d only met the dog once. On the other hand, I’m uncomfortable around big dogs and wouldn’t trust a large dog belonging to a stranger in my rented space if the owner wasn’t around.
If you knew that you were sharing the house with another renter who had a dog, I really don’t get the issue. As long as the dogs are in a separate room when you get home, then the issue about dogs being territorial should also be a non-issue.
I’ve used airbnb many many times and have never had a problem, but I also rent the whole place and don’t share a space with someone I don’t know. THAT to me is a bit dangerous.
I wouldn’t want to share a house with an unknown dog either. It’s just that in the OP, the renter already knew that there would be a dog.
I think this is a non-issue. Make sure next time there is an explicit acknowledgment of whether there will be other people staying in the home.
The breed is irrelevant.
If the dog is shut in the room, it isn’t just lounging around waiting for you to come in without the owner around. The only reason I might complain is if the dogs are barking when the owner isn’t there. You might ask the dog guy for his phone so you can text/call if there is any issue with the dogs while he isn’t there.
"The breed is irrelevant. "
No it isn’t. Some dogs whine all day long. Some yap. When some bite you, it isn’t a big deal and other it is life or death.
Right now I’m dog sitting for a little dog. I don’t think he likes me very much, but he’s about 10 pounds of yapping and there isn’t much he can do to hurt me. I pit bull only needs one bite.
I asked if there were any other guests and was told about one dog. The owner admitted he lied about “one dog” and the dogs’ weight (20 lb max). We’re going to try to make the best of this by slowly coming in the door, and yelling, in case the owner is in another room. While back at the house making lunch, the owner came in from walking the two dogs. I made sure to yell from the kitchen to let him know we were there before he took the dogs off the leash. Great suggestion about getting the guy’s phone number, as he put the dogs in his bedroom and left the house. Maybe we’re too old for airbnb or maybe I’ll change my attitude on pitbulls. We chose this location because the house is nice, it is right across the street from the hospital where my MIL is a patient, and because I needed a kitchen for a special medical diet I am on this week.
Don’t give up on AirBNB, just be a little more selective about the type of places you choose. I’ve been using both AirBNB and VRBO for years and have had really great experiences. I wouldn’t have rented a just room in a place that would have other paying guests but that didn’t have an owner on-site. The dog issue wouldn’t have occurred to me, I just would have been worried that if there was damage or theft by the other guests the owner would charge all of us and that there was increased risk of theft of my belongings.
Mostly, I rent the whole house/apartment because I’m traveling with my family. But if I’m traveling alone, I’ve rented a single room - but only in a place where the owner lives as well so it’s more like a B&B situation rather than random renter roommates.
Another way to try to prescreen how nice the AirBNB and VRBO rentals are - if you are not traveling with a pet, don’t stay at a place that allows them. The bottom line is that pets create additional wear, tear and general ick - especially at a rental. So if you aren’t bringing your dog - and it sounds like you aren’t - then for future rentals, just make sure to eliminate the ones that take pets. Doesn’t necessarily guarantee the places will be cleaner, but does increase the chances of avoiding the grubbier places.
Reading the reviews is helpful, too. You want a place that has at least 6-8 reviews. Don’t just look at the overall rating, read the actual review because like references, sometimes what people don’t say is interesting as well… read between the lines.
I hope the dog does change your mind on pits. They’re wonderful dogs. That doesn’t mean anyone has to have them, but don’t fear them just because they have a square face.
Make sure you leave an appropriate AirBnB review if he lied to you.